Texas Truckers Still Bypass English Rule Despite Governor's Order

English Proficiency Rule for Truckers

• 📌 A federal policy requiring English proficiency for truck drivers was reinstated by the Trump administration.
• ⚠️ Drivers must be able to understand basic questions and identify road signs during inspections.

Texas Loophole and Governor's Order

• 🔍 A loophole in Texas allowed truckers operating solely within state lines to bypass the English proficiency rule.
• 📢 Governor Abbott ordered authorities to close this loophole.

Ongoing Exemptions and Rulemaking

• 🚧 Despite the order, truckers driving only within Texas remain exempt from the English proficiency rule.
• ⏳ The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is currently undergoing a formal rulemaking process to amend the rule, which typically takes several months.
• ⚖️ The Texas Administrative Code currently states the requirement does not apply to intrastate commerce.

Safety Concerns and Legal Conflicts

• 🚗 Trucking industry representatives believe mirroring federal regulations is a safety issue.
• ❓ Lawmakers and investigative agencies face challenges due to the conflict between the governor's order and the current written law.