President Trump has revived a federal law requiring truck drivers to demonstrate English proficiency, citing highway safety concerns and reversing an Obama-era policy that had effectively shelved the requirement.
Quick Takes
- Trump signed an executive order enforcing the federal English language proficiency requirement for commercial drivers that had been neglected for years.
- The order directs Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to ensure drivers can read road signs, communicate with law enforcement, and maintain proper records.
- Trucking industry organizations including the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association strongly support the measure.
- Drivers failing to meet the English proficiency standard will be placed “out-of-service” under revised enforcement criteria.
- The executive order aligns with a broader Trump administration initiative establishing English as the national language.
Restoring a Critical Safety Requirement
President Donald Trump signed an executive order reinforcing a long-standing but recently unenforced federal law requiring commercial truck drivers to demonstrate English language proficiency. The directive targets what the administration describes as a significant safety gap that developed after the previous administration effectively abandoned enforcement of the language requirement. The order instructs Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to implement comprehensive measures ensuring commercial drivers can effectively communicate in English while operating on American roadways.
In explaining the rationale behind the order, Trump stated that the “requirement has not been enforced in years, and America’s roadways have become less safe.” The executive order specifically directs officials to revise out-of-service criteria for drivers who fail to demonstrate sufficient English language skills. This action effectively reverses a 2016 Obama administration memorandum that had significantly weakened enforcement of the language proficiency standard for commercial drivers operating in the United States.
"On behalf of America's Truck Drivers, we, the founders of American Truckers United, extend our heartfelt gratitude to President Donald Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy for the executive order mandating English proficiency for all truck drivers and addressing the… pic.twitter.com/grnkiJ1BLg
— American Truckers (@atutruckers) April 29, 2025
Industry Support for Enhanced Safety Standards
The executive order has garnered substantial support from major trucking industry organizations that have long advocated for consistent enforcement of existing safety regulations. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), representing approximately 150,000 truckers, expressed strong backing for the president’s decision. Industry leaders emphasize that language proficiency directly impacts critical safety functions, including the ability to read road signs, communicate with law enforcement, and maintain accurate driver logs.
The American Trucking Associations has similarly welcomed the order, with Vice President of Safety Policy Dan Horvath noting, “We thank the Trump Administration for responding to our concerns on the uneven application of this existing regulation, and we look forward to working with FMCSA and the law enforcement community on an objective, consistent and effective enforcement standard.” State-level organizations, including the Arkansas Trucking Association, have also voiced approval for elevating these requirements to ensure nationwide consistency.
Enforcement Mechanisms and Road Safety Priorities
The executive order establishes clear enforcement mechanisms to address drivers who cannot meet the English proficiency requirement. Transportation Secretary Duffy has been instructed to ensure commercial drivers can read and understand traffic signs, effectively communicate with safety officials and law enforcement, and properly maintain required regulatory records and logs. Drivers failing to demonstrate these capabilities will be designated as unqualified and removed from service under the revised criteria.
In announcing the directive, Trump emphasized the priority his administration places on highway safety. “My Administration will enforce the law to protect the safety of American truckers, drivers, passengers, and others, including by upholding the safety enforcement regulations that ensure that anyone behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle is properly qualified and proficient in our national language, English,” remarked Trump. The order additionally aligns with the administration’s broader initiative formally recognizing English as the country’s official language.
Sources:
Trump signs executive order requiring truck drivers to speak English
Trucking industry reacts to Trump’s ELP executive order for drivers
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