Trump executive order reinforces English-speaking rule for US truck drivers

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump signed a new executive order Monday reinforcing a longstanding federal law that requires commercial truck drivers in the United States to be proficient in English.

The move comes as part of broader efforts by Trump’s administration to bolster safety on American roadways and emphasize the importance of English proficiency for public communication and regulatory compliance.

Is the English requirement for truck drivers new or already existing law?

The backstory:

The federal rule requiring truck drivers to read and speak English has been in place since 1970, under 49 CFR § 391.11(b)(2). It mandates that commercial drivers must be able to understand traffic signs, respond to officials, and fill out reports in English.

However, a 2016 Obama-era guidance weakened enforcement by telling inspectors to use discretion in evaluating English proficiency. Critics said this made it harder to address safety concerns when language barriers arose.

President Trump’s new executive order directs the Department of Transportation to rescind the 2016 guidance and requires drivers who cannot meet the English standard to be placed "out-of-service." It also builds on Trump’s March 2025 move to designate English as the official U.S. language under Executive Order 14224.

What they're saying:

In the executive order, Trump said federal regulators have not adequately enforced the English proficiency requirement for years, contributing to communication issues between truck drivers and officials at weigh stations, border checkpoints, and traffic stops.

"My Administration will enforce the law to protect the safety of American truckers, drivers, passengers, and others," the order states.

FILE - Semi truck drivers arrive to pickup and deliver products at the Port of Long Beach, October 27, 2014 in Long Beach, California. (Photo by Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images)

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt expanded on the reasoning during a briefing Monday, saying that communication problems pose a "public safety risk" that must be addressed.

The executive order also calls for a review of how states issue commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) to non-domiciled drivers, looking for unusual patterns or irregularities.

Big picture view:

Although the requirement for English proficiency has been federal law for decades, enforcement standards have varied. Trump’s order signals a renewed emphasis on strict compliance at a time when his administration is also taking broader steps to address issues around border security, driver credentialing, and transportation safety.

The Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) are now tasked with issuing new guidance within 60 days to implement the changes.