Truck Drivers Unable to Speak or Read English Will Be Removed from the Roads | Carscoops

      Drivers who do not pass English proficiency tests will be grounded following Trump's directive that reverses changes made during Obama’s presidency.

      Trump’s order reinstates stringent English literacy requirements for all commercial truck drivers across the nation. Those who lack adequate reading or speaking skills in English will be immediately removed from service. The 2016 regulation introduced by Obama, which permitted non-English-speaking drivers, is now completely overturned by Trump.

      In an industry already grappling with driver shortages, regulatory changes, and the shift toward automation, this new focus on English proficiency adds to the numerous challenges faced by trucking. Being able to read and communicate in English is now a top priority.

      Since 2001, CDL drivers have been under a legal obligation to read and write in English “sufficiently to converse with the general public.” Following the Obama administration's relaxation of that guideline, the Trump administration has opted for a stricter approach. Trump has issued an order mandating that drivers who cannot read and write in English must remain off the roads.

      When the initial law came into effect in 2001, the expectations were clear: drivers needed to comprehend traffic signs and signals, respond to official inquiries, and accurately complete reports. The aim was to ensure that basic communication skills were integral to operating large, fast-moving vehicles on public roads. However, in 2016, the Obama administration eased this requirement, allowing drivers with insufficient English skills to continue driving.

      Trump's new directive insists on English literacy testing for CDL drivers, meaning those who fail will be taken out of service. The order asserts that “Proficiency in English… should be a non-negotiable safety requirement for professional drivers. They need to read and understand traffic signs, communicate with traffic safety officials, border patrol, agricultural checkpoints, and cargo weight-limit station officers. Drivers should be capable of providing feedback to their employers and customers, as well as receiving instructions in English. This is a matter of common sense.”

      A Divisive Rule

      This initiative is generating a variety of opinions. Freight Waves noted in its report that an informal survey of over 500 comments received by the Department of Transportation regarding recommendations for regulatory changes showed that approximately 10%—mostly owner-operators—support enforcing CDL requirements that include speaking English.

      Interestingly, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance had previously voted to eliminate the English language requirement, claiming it “could not substantiate the safety impacts.” Regardless of this past decision, the Department of Transportation has directed the CVSA to incorporate Trump’s literacy standards into its evaluation criteria.

      “Federal law is clear: a driver who cannot sufficiently read or speak English—our national language—and understand road signs is unqualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle in America. This commonsense standard should never have been abandoned,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “This Department will always prioritize America’s truck drivers.”

      Ultimately, trucking companies will need to manage another layer of compliance, while drivers seeking to enter or remain in the industry will face elevated language proficiency requirements. Whether this change will actually enhance road safety or simply further strain an already overextended workforce remains an unanswered question.