US Truck Drivers Must be Proficient in English: Trump

On April 28, US President Donald Trump signed a new executive order titled “Enforcing Commonsense Rules of the Road for America’s Truck Drivers,” mandating the enforcement of English proficiency requirements for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. Citing safety and national security, the order reinstates and strengthens federal regulations that require truck drivers to demonstrate the ability to read and speak English fluently to operate on US roads.

This directive follows Trump’s March 1 order that officially designated English as the national language of the United States (Executive Order 14224). The latest move emphasizes that all commercial drivers must be able to understand traffic signs, communicate with law enforcement and border patrol, and have essential documentation in English.

“Proficiency in English should be a non-negotiable safety requirement. This is common sense,” says Trump.

Policy Reversal and Stronger Enforcement

Sean Duffy, Secretary, US Transportation (DOT) has announced immediate steps to reverse what he called a “dangerous” 2016 Obama-era policy that had weakened enforcement of English proficiency standards. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is now tasked with rescinding the 2016 guidance titled “English Language Proficiency Testing and Enforcement Policy MC-ECE-2016-006” within 60 days and implementing new inspection procedures.

“Federal law is clear, a driver who cannot sufficiently read or speak English… is unqualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle in America. This commonsense standard should have never been abandoned,” says Duffy.

As part of the new measures, the FMCSA will also revise out-of-service criteria so that failure to meet English proficiency standards results in immediate disqualification from driving.

Industry Reactions and Concerns

The American Trucking Associations (ATA), which has long called for clearer and more consistent enforcement, welcomed the move. “We thank the Trump Administration for responding to our concerns on the uneven application of this existing regulation… and look forward to working with FMCSA on an effective enforcement standard,” says Dan Horvath, Senior Vice President of Regulatory and Safety Policy, ATA.

Earlier this month, Chris Spear, President and CEO, ATA sent a letter to Duffy urging a review of English language enforcement protocols, citing inconsistent field enforcement and misinterpretation of the rules stemming from the 2016 memo.

Under current US federal law (49 CFR 391.11(b)(2)), commercial drivers are required to: communicate with the public and law enforcement, respond to official inquiries, and complete required reports and records. However, inconsistencies in enforcement have created operational confusion and safety concerns, according to ATA.

Challenges for a Diverse Workforce

The US trucking industry is racially and ethnically diverse. According to a 2023 US Department of Transportation report, 15.3% of CDL holders are Hispanic or Latino. ATA stated in 2023 that 18.3% identify as Black, 4% as Asian, and 15.7% are immigrants. Around 3.8% of drivers are reported to have limited English proficiency. These demographics highlight potential challenges for full implementation and enforcement of the executive order, particularly for newer or immigrant drivers.

Addressing a Growing Driver Shortage

The executive order comes amid an ongoing driver shortage in the US trucking sector. According to Mordor Intelligence, while the shortfall slightly improved from 81,258 in 2021 to 78,000 in 2022, industry forecasts project a deficit of over 160,000 drivers by 2031 without substantial reforms. Carriers have responded by increasing wages, enhancing benefits, and investing in training programs. At the same time, autonomous truck testing is accelerating as a possible long-term solution. In 2019, ATA warned that without proactive measures, the shortage could surpass 160,000 drivers as early as 2028.

Barriers to entry as a truck driver, according to the International Road Transport Union (IRU), include high qualification costs, lengthy licensing processes, and the minimum age requirement of 18 years.