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A truck makes its way through the yard at Erives Enterprises on Friday, Feb. 2, 2018, in El Paso, Texas.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
People taking the Texas commercial driver’s license and learner’s permit knowledge exams must now complete them in English after the Trump administration pushed for stricter enforcement of proficiency requirements<\/a> for drivers.<\/p>\n The Texas Department of Public Safety announced Monday that all commercial driver license and learner’s permit knowledge tests will be administered in English and that interpreters are prohibited. Spanish-language versions of the tests are no longer offered.<\/p>\n RELATED: Texas trucking industry weighs in on Trump\u2019s order requiring English proficiency for drivers<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n DPS personnel, along with other certified commercial vehicle inspectors, will continue conducting English-language proficiency evaluations during routine traffic stops and at weigh stations. Commercial vehicle drivers who do not meet the proficiency standard will be placed out of service, DPS said.<\/p>\n “All these actions, and others like them, are part of the department’s continued efforts to make roads safer across the state and nation,” DPS said in the Monday news release.<\/p>\n Liz Castillo, founder and CEO of Greater Houston Trucking Association-Impact, said in a statement that the organization supports efforts that enhance highway safety and ensure commercial drivers can effectively communicate in situations involving law enforcement, inspections, emergency response and freight delivery.<\/p>\n At the same time, the organization said it recognizes the important role immigrant and multilingual drivers play in keeping America’s supply chain moving.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u201cMany individuals enter the trucking industry seeking economic opportunity and work hard to build successful careers while improving their English proficiency over time,\u201d Castillo said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Texas Trucking Association President and CEO John D. Esparza said the organization supports the decision to administer the commercial driver’s license and learner’s permit knowledge examinations exclusively in English. The organization believes the move is fundamental in ensuring a safe and efficient transportation system.\u00a0<\/p>\n “As freight volumes continue to grow across Texas and the nation, consistent testing standards help promote professionalism, regulatory compliance, and public confidence in our industry,” he said in a statement.<\/p>\n President Trump signed an executive order<\/a> directing the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to strengthen enforcement of a longstanding federal requirement that commercial drivers be able to read and speak English.<\/p>\n The order directed the transportation secretary to rescind prior guidance and review non-resident commercial driver’s licenses. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said FMCSA would implement the order to strengthen English-language enforcement.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Texas stopped issuing commercial driver’s licenses<\/a> to refugees, asylum seekers and DACA recipients after the Trump administration issued new rules to restrict non-U.S. citizens from obtaining licenses.<\/p>\n Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton also launched an investigation into multiple trucking schools<\/a> in the state, alleging that they certified non-English-speaking drivers and unqualified drivers.\u00a0<\/p>\n