Bill > SB1748

This bill modifies Tennessee law regarding commercial driver licenses, specifically addressing situations where a driver cannot sufficiently read and speak English to perform their duties, as required by federal regulations (49 CFR 391.11(b)(2)). It establishes that if an enforcement officer finds a driver unable to meet these English language requirements during a safety inspection, they must issue an "out-of-service order," meaning the driver and their vehicle are prohibited from operating until a qualified substitute driver is found. The bill also mandates that the commercial driver license of such a driver will be suspended, and they must retake and pass the written commercial driver license test in English to have their license reinstated. However, an exception is provided: if a driver is unable to speak English but can read and write it, and can provide documentation of a hearing impairment exemption (under 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11)), these provisions will not apply. The bill's effective date is contingent on federal action that allows Tennessee to implement these changes without jeopardizing federal funding.