US Tightens English Rule for Truck Drivers

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy signed an order reinstating and strengthening federal English-language proficiency requirements for commercial truck drivers, following President Donald Trump’s April 2025 executive order to improve highway safety. The new rule reverses a 2016 Obama-era policy and allows inspectors to take drivers out of service for inadequate English skills needed to read signs, communicate with authorities, and respond to emergencies. Enforcement had dropped to zero drivers removed for English violations in 2024, compared to 1,000 in 2015. The Department of Transportation will also review commercial driver’s license issuance, particularly for non-permanent residents. Additional initiatives, such as increasing truck parking, are expected to be announced to support truckers’ quality of life. Officials describe the policy as a necessary safety measure to prevent road accidents and misunderstandings.