Truck drivers react to Class A commercial license scheme

Tuesday the U.S. Attorney’s Office revealed an investigation and indictment involving a four-year bribery scheme by employees of the California DMV and owners of trucking school companies to issue licenses to people who never took the Class A commercial driver’s test.Two employees were from Salinas and one trucking school operated out of Salinas.

Now with hundreds of potentially inexperienced big rig drivers on the road, other truck drivers are concerned for their safety.

“All they’re doing is signing death warrants… If they think a dollar bill is worth more than a life then they need to go to jail,” said truck driver Mickey Burton.

Burton has beendrivinga big rig foralmost 60 years. As an experienced truck driver he said knowing about the Class A license scheme he feels everyone’s safety is now in jeopardy.

The two Salinas DMV employees and three trucking school owners are now facing five years in prison and thousands in fines for their involvement in the scheme.

“We are taking a look at all the different things that have raised its head in terms of what we can do to better process the commercial driver’s licenses,” said Chief Frank Alvarez with the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

In response, the DMV said it revoked or suspended close to 600 Class A commercial licenses.

But drivers like Burton said something needs to be done fast. He’s seen his fair share of accidents involving big rigs.

“It’s an 80,000-pound machine. I’ve held burning bodies into hands trying to get them out of cars and trucks. Not anymore. I’m tired of it,” said Burton.