Yellowhammer Times

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) has introduced the Understanding Basic English Requirements (UBER) Act, a bill that would require drivers working for rideshare applications with government contracts to demonstrate proficiency in English. The proposed legislation aims to bring the hiring standards for these drivers in line with federal Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) requirements. Companies that do not comply with this requirement would be barred from receiving federal contracts for five years.

“America is an English-speaking country,” said Sen. Tuberville. “If you want to live and work in the United States, you need to be able to speak and read our language. Too many Americans have been killed as a result of relaxed standards and illegal immigrants who do not speak or read English and are driving on our roads. Rideshare companies, especially those that receive taxpayer funding, have an obligation to vet the drivers who are transporting American citizens on our roads. I’m proud to introduce this legislation as another guardrail to keep Americans safe on the road.”

Senator Tuberville has previously introduced other transportation safety measures, including the Secure Commercial Licensing Act last month, which would require all CDL testing to be conducted exclusively in English following incidents involving commercial truck drivers lacking English proficiency.

Senator Tuberville represents Alabama in the U.S. Senate and serves on several committees including Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP), and Aging.