As part of a crackdown on illegal immigration, new laws in Missouri require that commercial driver's license tests be given in English with no translation assistance.


The legislation was pushed by Gov. Matt Blunt, who, according to the Associated Press, threatened to call a special session if lawmakers did not pass the bill.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association applauded the rule change and say it is lobbying for changes in other states to make sure aspiring truckers can communicate in English.

Rick Craig, OOIDA's director of regulatory affairs, said that making the English requirement standard for both portions of the test is vital and all states should be doing it.

The bill also requires officers of the Missouri State Highway Patrol to be deputized as federal immigration agents through an agreement and training with the Department of Homeland Security, reported the Kansas City Star.

Democrats argued the English requirement for license tests and anti-sanctuary policies could make legal immigrants' lives more difficult.

The Associated Press also reports that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has proposed rules requiring anyone applying for a commercial driver's license to speak English during their road test and vehicle inspection. The agency wants to change its rules to eliminate the use of interpreters, and congressional approval isn't required.

Federal law requires that anyone with a commercial driver's license speak English well enough to talk with police. Authorities last year issued 25,230 tickets nationwide for violations, reported the AP.