Friday, March 6, 2026 |
Photo – Overhead road sign – Courtesy WYDOT
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, with command staff for the Wyoming Highway Patrol standing at his side, signed House Bill 32 into law on Thursday afternoon.
The legislation gives law enforcement the authority to enforce federal English Language Proficiency regulations, Title 49 CFR 391.11(b)(2).
Under the regulation, any commercial driver who is found not to be proficient in English according to federal standards will be put out of service and taken off the highway.
The purpose of the regulations is to ensure all commercial drivers can communicate with other drivers, as well as read road signs and emergency communication billboards.
The new law means any peace officer in Wyoming can now help ensure our roadways are safer. Colonel Timothy Cameron with the Patrol said the new law will help “identify people that jeopardize public safety.”
Under the current regulations, any commercial driver who is found not to be proficient in English, according to federal standards, will be put out of service – meaning they will not be allowed to continue driving their commercial vehicle.
Those regulations were originally only enforceable by members of the Wyoming Highway Patrol and its commercial carrier section.
The new law, signed by the governor on Thursday, means that any peace officer in Wyoming can now help ensure our roadways are safer.
