🚨 CVSA Pushes to Reinstate English Proficiency Enforcement for CDL Drivers

In a fast and coordinated response to President Donald Trump’s new executive order, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has taken firm steps toward reinstating English proficiency enforcement across the trucking industry. Within 24 hours of the order’s signing on April 28, CVSA’s Driver and Traffic Enforcement Committee passed three key enforcement recommendations that could significantly reshape roadside inspection outcomes.

This effort comes in response to a petition from the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) and reflects a growing consensus that language barriers directly affect highway safety.

📋 Three Major Recommendations from CVSA

On April 29, the committee approved the following proposals — all now awaiting Executive Committee review:

1. Out-of-Service Orders for Lack of English Proficiency: Drivers who cannot speak or understand English well enough to communicate with safety officials during inspections should be placed Out of Service.

2. Petition to FMCSA to Amend Regulation 391.11(b)(2)CVSA is urging the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to revise this regulation to explicitly include lack of English proficiency as an Out-of-Service violation, aligning it with other clearly enforceable criteria like those found in section 392.5.

3. Standardization of CDL Testing in English Only: Currently, states have discretion over what language to offer for the written (knowledge) portion of CDL exams. CVSA recommends that all CDL testing be conducted in English, bringing consistency to licensing standards nationwide.

🏛 Presidential Executive Order Sets the Tone

The executive order, signed by President Trump on April 28, follows a prior declaration recognizing English as the official language of the United States. The directive calls for active enforcement of English-proficiency standards under 391.11(b)(2) and instructs the Secretary of Transportation to initiate administrative, regulatory, and enforcement actions within 60 days.

In a particularly notable provision, the order requires FMCSA to coordinate with enforcement entities like CVSA to revise and reinforce inspection protocols.

🛂 Non-Domiciled CDLs Under Federal Review

The executive order also highlights a growing concern around non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) — those issued by a state in which the driver does not maintain primary residence.

These licenses are often granted to:

• U.S. citizens living in one state but licensed in another

• Foreign nationals legally working in the U.S. on temporary visas

The order directs state licensing agencies to review these non-domiciled CDL records, flagging unusual patterns, irregular volumes, or administrative discrepancies. This could signal a broader crackdown on states with lax or inconsistent verification procedures and raises the possibility of stricter proof-of-residency or work authorization rules.

In practical terms, drivers holding out-of-state or foreign CDLs should expect increased scrutiny, both during application and at roadside inspections.

🕰 A Look Back: How We Got Here?

From 2005 through 2015, CVSA treated failure to meet English proficiency standards as an Out-of-Service (OOS) violation. However, enforcement was inconsistent. In 2014, over 101,000 violations were issued, yet only 4,036 drivers were actually placed out of service.

Rather than step up enforcement, CVSA removed the criteria from the OOS list in 2015, citing challenges in applying the standard fairly and uniformly.

OOIDA, however, continued to raise concerns, emphasizing the safety hazards posed by drivers unable to understand signage, communicate in emergencies, or comply with verbal instructions. Their March 2025 petition to CVSA catalyzed this latest round of action.

🗣 Industry Voices Support

OOIDA President Todd Spencer welcomed the swift action, stating,

“Language proficiency has been a safety issue for a long time. It’s past time to pull this from the back burner and come up with a real, appropriate fix.”

Many in the enforcement and safety communities agree — clear communication is a critical pillar of public safety on the roads.

🛡 What Should Fleets and Drivers Do Now?

Given the pace of regulatory movement, carriers should begin internal reviews immediately, focusing on:

• Assessing the English proficiency of existing and incoming drivers

• Training and language support programs for those needing improvement

• Verifying the state of domicile and legal status for drivers with non-domiciled CDLs

• Preparing for ELD logs, HOS reports, and roadside interviews to be reviewed more stringently

📣 Final Word from Safety Lane

The return of English proficiency enforcement — paired with a closer look at non-domiciled CDL issuance — marks a turning point in regulatory enforcement for the trucking industry. It sends a clear message: professionalism, clear communication, and legal compliance are non-negotiable.

For compliance consulting, language proficiency assessment, CDL verification assistance, or pre-inspection training, contact CellEx Consulting Group today.

Stay informed. Stay compliant. Stay ahead. Safety Lane Magazine – Your Trusted Source for Industry Compliance & Safety.