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Wyoming committee asks staff to draft English‑proficiency law for commercial drivers after FMCSA policy reversal
Summary
After Highway Patrol testimony showing hundreds of inspection findings, the Joint Transportation Committee voted to request a bill draft modeled on Oklahoma that would make English‑language proficiency for commercial motor vehicle drivers enforceable under Wyoming law and broaden enforcement authority beyond federally certified inspectors
The Joint Transportation Committee voted Aug. 17 to request a legislative bill draft to establish state enforcement for English‑language proficiency (ELP) among commercial motor vehicle drivers, after testimony from the Wyoming Highway Patrol and public commenters who said language barriers are contributing to unsafe incidents.
The committee motion, made by Sen. Dan Kolb and seconded by Rep. Wiley, directs staff to draft language modeled on Oklahoma’s statute that requires drivers to demonstrate sufficient English to understand signs, converse with the public and respond to official directions; the motion passed on a voice vote.
Why it matters: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in April 2025 rescinded a 2016 policy that had removed English proficiency from out‑of‑service criteria. The agency’s 2025 memo instructs inspectors to perform a two‑part assessment—(1) an interview to test ability to respond to official inquiries and (2) an evaluation of the driver’s ability…
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