25% of CDL drivers lack English proficiency, survey finds

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.