UPDATE (2:13 p.m.) — EP Texas Trucking sent ABC-7 the following statement in response to Attorney General Paxton opening an investigation into the school:
“We provide basic English instruction classes on-site, and our instructors are bilingual to support student learning and comprehension. Additionally, students are required to demonstrate English proficiency during the skills testing portion, which includes the pre-trip inspection, basic control- maneuvers, and the road test.”
In the statement, the school said perfect fluency or native-level proficiency English is not required, drivers must know enough to work on their own in an English-speaking environment.
Some students can take their written exams in Spanish, which is permitted under state guidelines, EP Trucking said.
In Paxton’s investigation announcement, he mentioned EP Trucking advertises its services in Spanish.
“We aim to communicate effectively with the communities we serve, including Spanish-speaking individuals. Our understanding is that there are currently no specific prohibitions against advertising in Spanish,” EP Trucking said. “However, we remain open to guidance and will fully comply with any regulations or standards provided by the appropriate authorities.”
AUSTIN (KVIA) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an investigation into trucking schools, including one in El Paso, for allegedly “endangering Texans by providing inadequate commercial driver training, in violation of state and federal law.”
Attorney General Paxton sent Civil Investigative Demands to EP Texas Trucking School and other companies across the state.
According to a statement by Paxton, EP Trucking told its students being proficient in English is not necessary to finish the program. Federal regulations require commercial driver’s license holders to read, speak and understand traffic signs and signals in English.
CDL holders also need to answer official inquiries and make entries on reports and records in English, Paxton said.
“Putting non-English speakers behind the wheel of 18-wheelers in America can pose serious threats to public safety,” Attorney General Paxton said in a statement. “I will fight to ensure that Texans are safe and that only qualified, English-speaking truckers are operating commercial vehicles on our roads.”
EP Trucking has locations in El Paso and Odessa.
Paxton is also investigating companies in Amarillo, San Antonio, Arlington, Dallas-Fort Worth and other areas in the state.