25% of CDL drivers lack English proficiency, survey finds

A recent survey conducted by Overdrive's digital platform reveals information about the current state of CDL drivers on U.S. roads regarding English proficiency.

President Donald Trump’s recent executive order, which strengthens the enforcement of the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirement for all commercial vehicle drivers, is expected to have a significant impact on the transportation industry. Failure to comply with this regulation could result in thousands of truck drivers being placed out of service. There is still no clear estimate of how many professionals currently on the road fail to meet the new criteria set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). However, Overdrive attempted to shed light on the situation by surveying drivers about their direct on-road experiences.

A recent survey conducted by the digital platform Overdrive, reveals information about the current state of CDL drivers on U.S. roads regarding English proficiency. While most responses were collected before the FMCSA updated its ELP verification guidelines, the results suggest a concerning disconnect between the regulation and the industry’s reality.

25% of truck drivers lack English proficiency, the survey revealed

Respondents estimated the percentage of fellow CDL drivers with whom they’ve directly interacted who fail to meet the English language requirements. In the survey, 40% of participating truckers selected the highest available option: “more than 25%” of the drivers they had interacted with could not communicate or understand English at the level required to comply with current regulations. This perception contrasts with the most recent official FMCSA estimate from August 2023, which placed the proportion of drivers with limited English proficiency at just 3.8%, according to Overdrive.

The rest of the survey responses from truckers were distributed as follows:

15% – 25% of truckers lack English proficiency – 21% of respondents
5% – 15% of truckers lack English proficiency – 15% of respondents
5% or fewer truckers lack English proficiency – 18% of respondents
I haven’t directly encountered any drivers like this – 6% of respondents

The experiences shared by respondents reinforce this perspective. One small fleet owner said to Overdrive that on a daily basis, he encounters drivers who cannot communicate in English. He noted that some were eager to learn after watching him secure loads, but their lack of language skills prevented them from asking questions. On another occasion, while working with a stack of chassis, he was assisted by a driver who didn’t speak English but demonstrated practical knowledge by teaching him proper load-securing techniques.

However, other accounts revealed more serious concerns. One driver recounted an encounter with a colleague who not only didn’t speak English but was also new to flatbed hauling and lacked basic experience, hindering communication and posing a potential safety risk.

Lack of English proficiency affects work quality and safety

The perception that poor English skills are affecting work quality and safety is also reflected in survey participants’ views. According to testimonies shared with Overdrive, one trucker estimated that between 15% and 25% of the drivers he encounters do not speak English, and that at 75% of the warehouses he visits, no staff speak English natively, complicating operations.

From a statistical perspective, only 18% of respondents believed that fewer than 5% of drivers do not meet the English language requirements, an estimate in line with official figures. On the other hand, only 6% claimed they had never encountered a driver who lacked English proficiency.

The situation appears especially critical in places like South Florida, where one commenter claimed that up to 95% of drivers do not speak English. In states like Illinois and California, the number of non-domiciled licenses is high. Illinois, for example, 40% of CDLs issued as of early April 2024 were non-domiciled. Another example is California, where the state doesn’t even track how many licenses are issued to foreign drivers.

In light of this situation, the debate over the implementation of ELP and its impact on the industry continues to intensify. While some advocate for stricter enforcement to improve safety and efficiency, others fear that such measures could worsen the already existing truck driver shortage in the country.