Trump Revives English Proficiency Standards for Truck Drivers

The executive order aims to enhance road safety by ensuring that truck drivers can read and understand road signs, communicate with officials, and provide or receive feedback in English, which President Trump believes is a non-negotiable safety requirement[4][5].

This executive order reverses a 2016 Obama-era policy that relaxed enforcement of English proficiency for commercial drivers. It reinstates stricter enforcement measures and mandates that drivers be proficient in English to avoid being placed out-of-service[3][5].

The Transportation Secretary is tasked with rescinding previous guidance that did not enforce English proficiency as strictly, and issuing new guidance to enforce stricter inspection procedures for English proficiency. The FMCSA will also review state issuance of CDLs to foreign citizens[3][5].

Non-English speaking truck drivers who fail to demonstrate English proficiency could be placed out-of-service, which could impact their livelihood and ability to maintain employment as commercial drivers[5].

Yes, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association supports this change, emphasizing the importance of understanding road signs and emergency instructions for safety[4].