Missouri English Language Proficiency bill now advancing to the Senate with fines for drivers and carriers

Legislation requiring truck, bus, and other CMV drivers to pass English Language Proficiency tests has advanced through the Missouri House this week with fines for drivers and carriers. 

HB 2741 was passed 104-22 in the Missouri House on Thursday, April 16th and will now head to the Senate for further consideration, reported St. Louis Public Radio.

The bill applies to any driver of a commercial vehicle designed to carry freight or transport more than eight passengers. Farmers, first responders, and people moving personal belongings are exempt from the ELP standards outlined in the bill, which includes understanding highway traffic signs, and conversing in English with law enforcement or the general public.

Missouri State Highway Patrol has an existing protocol for examining ELP during traffic stops and at weigh stations, but a specific protocol was not included in the bill at their request. MSHP requested that a protocol not be included in the bill to allow for easier changes to future protocol.

“We need CDL drivers. We just need to make sure that they can understand the road signs and what they’re actually hauling,” said Rep. Carolyn Caton.

The bill also requires non-citizen CDL holders to carry proof of legal status, and has fines for drivers and carriers. Any CDL holder found violating the terms of the bill would be subject to misdemeanor charges and fined $1,000 for their first offense. The carrier that employs the fined driver would be fined $3,000.