A truck driver was placed out of service by Arkansas Highway Police after being caught hauling large quantities of ‘hazardous’ nitrous oxide (commonly called “puff gas”) without proper paperwork, safety markings, or legal qualifications. The trucker also failed to pass a quick English proficiency test that the cop gave him. The incident was captured on dashcam and bodycam footage and later shared by the American Truckers United on their X account.The driver was operating a semi-truck with a non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) issued in California. During a routine inspection stop, officers asked for standard documents, including the bill of loading and shipping papers. The driver confirmed he was carrying some kind of “gas” and later clarified it was nitrous oxide. Officers opened the trailer and found large quantities of nitrous oxide cylinders. The tanks were not declared on shipping papers, and the truck displayed no hazmat placards, despite the cargo qualifying as hazardous material under federal regulations. The driver also did not have a hazmat endorsement, which is legally required to transport this type and quantity of compressed gas. Nitrous oxide is classified as a hazardous material (UN1078). When transported in bulk, it requires proper labeling, documentation, placards, and a qualified driver. According to officers on scene, the load exceeded weight thresholds that trigger those requirements.During the inspection, officers also tested the driver’s ability to read and understand English, which is required under federal commercial driving rules. The driver struggled to read safety warnings and follow instructions. An officer told him directly, “You can’t drive because you don’t speak English well enough.”As a result, the driver was placed out of service, meaning the truck could not move until a properly qualified driver arrived.However, no immigration status check was conducted, despite the driver holding a non-domiciled CDL. In the officer audio, one cop is heard saying immigration enforcement was “not our call unless criminal” and usually requires ICE agents investigating. American Truckers United said in the same post that non-domiciled CDLs, undeclared hazardous loads, and weak enforcement compromise safety concerns. The group is calling on Arkansas leadership to reverse policies that block stricter checks and to take stronger action to protect public safety on state highways.
