President Trump overturns Obama-era leniency on English proficiency requirements for truck drivers, enhancing safety for all Americans on the roadways.
Key Takeaways
- President Trump signed an executive order reinstating English language proficiency requirements for commercial truck drivers, reversing an Obama Administration policy from 2016.
- Federal law requires commercial vehicle drivers to read and speak English sufficiently to understand road signs, follow instructions, and communicate with law enforcement.
- The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has documented cases where a lack of English proficiency contributed to fatal accidents.
- Industry groups, including the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, strongly support the enforcement of English proficiency as a critical safety measure.
- The executive order will be fully enforced within 60 days of signing.
Trump Prioritizes Highway Safety with English Proficiency Mandate
In a decisive move to enhance safety on America’s roadways, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on April 28 requiring commercial truck drivers to demonstrate English language proficiency. The order rescinds a 2016 Obama Administration directive that had instructed inspectors not to enforce existing English language proficiency requirements for commercial motor vehicle operators. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced the change as part of the administration’s commitment to road safety and adherence to federal law.
“Federal law is clear: a driver who cannot sufficiently read or speak English—our national language—and understand road signs is unqualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle in America,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy.
The directive addresses regulation 49 C.F.R. 391.11(b)(2), which has long required commercial drivers to read and speak English sufficiently to understand highway traffic signs, respond to official inquiries, and complete required reports and records. Despite this existing law, the previous administration had effectively nullified enforcement through policy memoranda, creating a dangerous loophole that compromised highway safety.
WHAT THE TRUCK?!?: 🚨 TRUCKING POLICY UPDATE:
President Trump has signed an executive order reinstating English proficiency enforcement for commercial drivers.
🔹 Drivers who can't meet language standards may be placed out of service.
🔹 This reverses a 2016 FMCSA policy from… pic.twitter.com/2zlPHOrd6d— FreightWaves (@FreightWaves) April 30, 2025
Industry Support and Safety Implications
The trucking industry has largely welcomed President Trump’s executive order. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), representing approximately 150,000 truckers, strongly endorsed the decision. Industry leaders emphasize that English proficiency is fundamental for drivers to understand critical road signs, emergency instructions, and to communicate effectively with law enforcement during traffic stops or at checkpoints.
“OOIDA and the 150,000 truckers we proudly represent strongly support President Trump’s decision to resume enforcement of English proficiency requirements for commercial drivers. Basic English skills are essential for reading critical road signs, understanding emergency instructions, and interacting with law enforcement,” said OOIDA President Todd Spencer.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has documented cases where a lack of English proficiency directly contributed to fatal accidents, underscoring the critical safety implications of this policy change. The enforcement of language standards is not merely bureaucratic—it’s a matter of life and death on America’s highways, where commercial vehicles can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and present significant hazards when operated by drivers unable to understand signage or communicate effectively.
President Donald Trump has signed executive orders related to immigration, including one that requires English-language proficiency for commercial motor drivers, such as truckers.
That requirement already exists, but Trump said it "has not been enforced in years," making roads… pic.twitter.com/TSRbUA9h4z
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) April 30, 2025
Implementation and Enforcement
The Department of Transportation has called on the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) to update its Out-of-Service criteria to include violations of English language proficiency requirements. This change would allow inspectors to immediately remove non-compliant drivers from service, rather than merely issuing citations. A CVSA committee has already voted to add non-compliance with English proficiency standards to out-of-service criteria, pending final board approval.
“You might not know, but there are a lot of communication problems between truckers on the road with federal officials and local officials, as well, which is a public safety risk,” explained White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
The executive order will be fully enforced within 60 days of signing, giving commercial drivers and companies time to prepare for the renewed standards. Under President Trump’s directive, Transportation Secretary Duffy will provide new guidance to ensure compliance across all jurisdictions. The change represents a return to the letter and intent of longstanding federal law, rather than a new imposition, as commercial drivers have always been required to demonstrate English proficiency through written and practical tests conducted in English.
