President Trump’s executive order makes it clear: truck drivers who can’t speak or read English will be pulled off American roads immediately, reigniting a decades-old safety debate in the trucking industry.
Key Takeaways
- President Trump signed an executive order reinstating strict enforcement of the 1937 regulation requiring English proficiency for commercial truck drivers.
- The order reverses Obama-era policies from 2014 that allowed drivers with limited English skills to continue operating despite language deficiencies.
- Non-compliant drivers will now be placed out of service until they can demonstrate adequate English proficiency.
- The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association strongly supports the measure, calling it “a welcome step toward restoring a common-sense safety standard.”
- Critics argue the focus on language diverts attention from more pressing safety issues like driver training and license enforcement.
Restoring Highway Safety Through Language Requirements
President Trump has taken decisive action to enhance road safety by signing an executive order requiring all commercial truck drivers to speak and read English proficiently. The order, which fully reinstates a regulation dating back to 1937, directs the Department of Transportation to ensure that drivers lacking necessary English skills be placed out of service immediately. This reverses a 2014 Obama Administration policy change that had significantly weakened enforcement of this crucial safety standard.
The White House fact sheet emphasized that “President Trump believes that English is a non-negotiable safety requirement for professional drivers, as they should be able to read and understand traffic signs; communicate with traffic safety officers, border patrol, agricultural checkpoints, and cargo weight-limit station personnel; and provide and receive feedback and directions in English.”
Industry Support and Safety Implications
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), representing independent truck operators across America, has strongly endorsed the President’s action. OOIDA had previously petitioned regulatory authorities to reinstate stricter enforcement of language requirements, viewing it as essential for maintaining highway safety standards and protecting American truck drivers. The organization has highlighted how basic communication abilities are fundamental to preventing accidents and ensuring efficient operations.
“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. That’s why OOIDA petitioned the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance earlier this year to reinstate English proficiency as an out-of-service violation.” Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association President Todd Spencer
Federal regulations have long required commercial drivers to “read and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, understand highway traffic signs and signals, respond to official inquiries, and make entries on reports and records.” 49 CFR §391.11(b)(2)
Enforcement Changes and Historical Context
The executive order specifically targets the enforcement mechanism that was weakened during the previous administration. Before 2014, drivers found unable to communicate effectively in English could be removed from service immediately, with over 101,000 violations issued in 2014 alone. After enforcement was relaxed, violations dropped dramatically as inspectors lost the authority to sideline non-compliant drivers. President Trump’s order restores the original intent of the regulation.
This action follows President Trump’s earlier executive order from March 2025, which designated English as the official language of the United States. That order revoked previous policies promoting multilingual government services, establishing a consistent approach to language requirements across federal operations. The trucking order represents a practical application of this broader policy shift, focusing on an industry where clear communication is essential for public safety.
Beyond Language: Additional Safety Measures
The executive order goes beyond language requirements, directing the Transportation Secretary to review state-issued non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses for irregularities and implement measures to improve truck drivers’ working conditions. These comprehensive provisions aim to address multiple aspects of highway safety while supporting American truckers. By targeting both communication barriers and licensing concerns, the order represents a holistic approach to trucking regulation.
“is a welcome step toward restoring a common-sense safety standard” Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association President Todd Spencer
While some critics argue that language proficiency enforcement might divert attention from other safety concerns like driver training and distracted driving, supporters maintain that communication skills are fundamental to addressing these issues effectively. The ability to understand safety briefings, read warning labels, and communicate about hazardous conditions forms the foundation for all other safety protocols, making English proficiency a logical starting point for broader safety reforms in the trucking industry.
