Official Trump Order: Truck Drivers Must Speak English

Trump to Sign Executive Order Requiring Truck Drivers to Speak English

Trump Order Will Reinforce English Requirements for Truck Drivers

President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order later today. The Trump order will require all commercial truck drivers in the United States to be proficient in English, according to a report by Breitbart News.

The goal of the order is to strengthen the enforcement of rules already on the books. These rules require truckers to be able to speak, read, and understand English while operating a commercial vehicle.

The White House document, reviewed by Breitbart News, explains that truck drivers must be able to read road signs. They also must be able to communicate with traffic safety officers and understand instructions at border crossings, weigh stations, and agricultural checkpoints.

President Trump reportedly views English proficiency as a “non-negotiable safety requirement” for truckers.

The signing is scheduled to take place at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time in the Oval Office.

Trump Order Brings New Enforcement Directives for Transportation

The Trump order will direct Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to rescind and replace earlier guidance. The focus will be on English proficiency enforcement during roadside inspections.

According to the Breitbart News report, Secretary Duffy will be instructed to update the criteria for placing drivers out of service. Drivers who violate English proficiency rules could be taken off the road.

The aim of the order is to boost roadway safety by making sure drivers can communicate clearly.

The order will also require Duffy to review procedures for verifying the authenticity of commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). In addition, he will be tasked with finding ways to improve working conditions for truck drivers. These improvements could come through regulatory changes or new enforcement actions.

OOIDA Supports the Trump Order on English Proficiency

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) has voiced strong support for the Trump order.

“OOIDA and the 150,000 truckers we proudly represent strongly support President Trump’s decision to resume enforcement of English proficiency requirements for commercial drivers,” OOIDA President Todd Spencer said. “Basic English skills are essential for reading critical road signs, understanding emergency instructions, and interacting with law enforcement. Road signs save lives—but only when they’re understood.”

Earlier this year, OOIDA asked the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance to reinstate English proficiency as a reason to place drivers out of service. The organization welcomed the White House action as a “common-sense safety standard” that will help protect drivers and the public.

Order Revisits Longstanding English Language Standards

Federal law has required English proficiency for commercial drivers for decades. However, enforcement has changed over time.

In 2016, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a memorandum. That memo removed English Language Proficiency (ELP) as a reason to place a driver out of service. It also changed the standards used to determine whether a driver met the English requirement.

Since then, concerns have grown in the trucking industry. Some have raised questions about whether safety is being compromised because of a lack of enforcement.

The issue has gained more attention during Trump’s second term.

Earlier this month, Wyoming Representative Harriet Hageman sent a letter to Secretary Duffy. She asked the Department of Transportation to step up enforcement of existing English proficiency rules.

Meanwhile, lawmakers in Oklahoma recently advanced legislation. That bill would tie citizenship and language requirements to getting a commercial driver’s license.

Trump Order Connects to Broader Language Policy

The upcoming order builds on earlier action taken by President Trump.

On March 1, Trump signed an order designating English as the official language of the United States.

That order stated:
“To promote unity, cultivate a shared American culture for all citizens, ensure consistency in government operations, and create a pathway to civic engagement, it is in America’s best interest for the Federal Government to designate one — and only one — official language.”

The White House framed that earlier order as a way to improve communication. It also aimed to make government operations more efficient and help bring citizens together.

Trucking Industry Watches Developments

Supporters believe the Trump order could help improve roadway safety. They also say it could restore fairness and consistency to inspections and enforcement.

At the same time, questions remain about how the Department of Transportation will roll out the new rules. It is still unclear exactly how the changes will impact current drivers across the country.