English requirement reinstated for truck drivers

President Donald Trump signed an executive order reinforcing the law that requires all commercial vehicle drivers in the U.S. to be proficient in English.

On April 28, President Donald Trump signed an executive order reinforcing the enforcement of an existing federal law that requires all commercial vehicle drivers in the United States to be proficient in English, under penalty of being placed out of service if they fail to meet the requirement.

The measure instructs authorities to review and update out-of-service criteria to ensure that drivers who do not meet English proficiency standards are temporarily removed from the roads. According to a fact sheet released by the White House, the order aims to “enhance roadway safety” and reverse a policy implemented by the Obama Administration in 2016, which removed English proficiency violations from the list of infractions that could lead to a driver being taken off the road.

English proficiency requirements

Under 49 CFR 391.11(b)(2), federal law mandates that all commercial drivers must demonstrate English proficiency sufficient to:

Communicate with the public and law enforcement officers,
Respond to official inquiries,
Complete required reports and records.

The Trump Administration has pledged to enforce this law to protect the safety of truckers, drivers, passengers, and other Americans. Trump has argued that English proficiency is a “non-negotiable safety requirement,” allowing drivers to respond properly in emergency situations.

The new order also directs the Department of Transportation to review non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses issued by states to identify irregularities and ensure U.S. drivers are properly qualified.

This executive order comes amid growing concerns about roadway safety and follows Trump’s March 1 declaration designating English as the official language of the United States.

Trucking industry reaction

Transportation industry representatives, such as the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), have expressed support for the measure. “Traffic signs save lives — but only when they’re understood,” said OOIDA President Todd Spencer, who called the decision a return to a “common-sense safety standard.”

Dan Horvath, Senior Vice President of Regulatory and Safety Policy at the American Trucking Associations (ATA), also voiced his support, stating that the order will help establish a more consistent enforcement standard.

The Trump Administration has additionally requested that the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) update its out-of-service criteria to include English proficiency as an enforceable condition. If adopted, the new policy would enable uniform enforcement by federal and state inspectors, according to the Department of Transportation.