Back to Basics: Trump’s Executive Order Revives English Proficiency Enforcement for CDL Drivers

Restoring the Language of Safety on America’s Roads

In a move aimed at reinforcing long-standing—but loosely enforced—FMCSA regulations, President Donald J. Trump signed the executive order “Enforcing Commonsense Rules of the Road for America’s Truck Drivers” on April 28, 2025. The order marks the return of strict English language proficiency enforcement for all commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers operating in the United States.

While the requirement has existed for years, enforcement significantly weakened after 2016. This order not only restores those standards but expands the federal government’s oversight with sweeping new mandates for state agencies, visa programs, and the Department of Transportation (DOT).

What’s Changing: Stronger Oversight, Wider Reach

The executive order introduces several concrete steps aimed at elevating English proficiency from a loosely checked box to a frontline safety priority. Key provisions include:

• Auditing State Licensing Agencies: States must now prove that English proficiency is a condition of CDL issuance. Expect FMCSA and DOT to audit licensing offices nationwide.

• Interagency Enforcement: The Departments of Transportation, Labor, and Homeland Security are joining forces to align language enforcement with licensing, border entry, and employment practices.

• Scrutiny of Visa Programs: Foreign drivers entering the U.S. under temporary work visas will now face increased language scrutiny to ensure they meet the same standards as domestic drivers.

These actions go beyond routine inspections and place English proficiency back into the spotlight—this time with consequences for noncompliance.

DOT Takes the Helm on the Roadside

Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has confirmed that roadside inspections will now include real-time evaluation of a driver’s English-speaking ability. Officers will assess the driver’s capacity to understand and respond to basic questions, safety instructions, and documentation requests in English.

“Truck drivers who want to share our roads must be able to share our language,” Secretary Duffy stated, emphasizing that this initiative is about safety, not discrimination.

Additionally, states that fail to uphold federal English standards during licensing could face penalties or lose federal transportation funding.

Accountability for Drivers, Employers, and States

This isn’t just about individual drivers. It’s about an entire safety ecosystem being brought back into alignment. Here's what stakeholders should expect:

• Drivers found unable to meet the language requirement may be placed out of service on the spot.

• Carriers could face increased scrutiny if they routinely dispatch drivers who can’t meet communication standards.

• State Agencies issuing licenses without verified English testing will be audited, and possibly sanctioned.

And for carriers relying on drivers from abroad, the Department of Labor will now actively monitor visa-based hiring programs to ensure only qualified, English-proficient operators are employed.

Why Now? A Correction of 2016 De-Prioritization

While the FMCSA rule on English proficiency never disappeared, its enforcement weakened significantly after 2016. Interpreters and translation apps became a gray area, leading to inconsistent roadside enforcement and diluted regulatory expectations.

The 2025 executive order corrects that course, placing language skills back at the center of operational safety and compliance strategy.

CellEx Commentary: What This Means for Our Clients

At Safety Lane, we see this as a necessary, if politically charged, reminder that communication saves lives. We advise all carriers to:

• Reevaluate hiring protocols to ensure candidates can meet verbal and written English requirements.

• Prepare for state and federal audits targeting language testing during the licensing process.

• Train dispatchers and compliance staff to manage roadside violations linked to language proficiency.

• Support drivers with the resources and training they need to succeed—not just on the road, but in regulatory interactions as well.

The Language of Compliance Is English

This order reinforces a simple truth: communication on the road is not optional—it’s essential. Whether speaking to an officer, reading a hazardous materials placard, or understanding a detour sign, a professional driver must be able to operate safely in English.

In the coming months, expect increased inspections, greater accountability, and fewer second chances. Compliance isn’t just about equipment and logs—it’s about understanding the rules in the language they’re written.

Safety starts with understanding. Let’s speak the same language.

— Safety Lane Magazine | In partnership with CellEx Consulting Group - April 29th 2025