On September 20, 2025, a renewed debate over road safety and immigration policy erupted across the United States, with Florida at the epicenter. In the wake of a tragic accident on the Florida Turnpike, lawmakers are pushing for sweeping changes to how truck drivers are screened and monitored, particularly when it comes to English proficiency. The proposed measures, spearheaded by Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL), have ignited conversations about safety, fairness, and the future of America’s highways.
According to Breitbart News, Congressman Donalds appeared on SiriusXM’s Patriot 125 show, laying out the case for his new legislation, known as the WEIGH Act. The bill would require all interstate weigh stations across the country to conduct not only standard safety and Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) checks, but also English proficiency assessments for every trucker who passes through. Donalds argued, “It is essential to keep the American people safe by requiring truckers in America to demonstrate English proficiency.”
The urgency behind the WEIGH Act is rooted in a devastating incident that unfolded in Florida: an illegal immigrant truck driver, Harjinder Singh, failed both an English language proficiency test and a basic highway sign identification assessment. Singh then made an illegal U-turn on the Florida Turnpike, resulting in a crash that killed three people. The tragedy prompted Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson to launch a state-level crackdown, using weigh stations to check both English skills and the validity of commercial licenses.
“After the tragedy that happened in Florida, Governor DeSantis and our Agriculture Commissioner, Wilton Simpson, they launched a strategy of using some of the weigh stations on state roads to do English proficiency checks, and also to check the validity of CDLs for truckers that are on the road in the state of Florida,” Donalds told Breitbart News. He said he spoke directly with Simpson about the details, which influenced his decision to file the federal version of the bill.
But what exactly would the WEIGH Act change for truckers nationwide? As reported by SlashGear, the act would mean that, in addition to ensuring their vehicles are safe and not overloaded, truck drivers would need to answer questions about their trip, license, work hours, and truck equipment—all in English. If a driver cannot demonstrate adequate proficiency, they would be placed out of service on the spot. Inspectors would also have to review CDLs for any irregularities, tightening the net around potentially unsafe drivers.
This is more than just a Florida issue. The WEIGH Act is designed to build on President Trump’s April 28, 2025 Executive Order, “Enforcing Commonsense Rules of the Road for America’s Truck Drivers.” That order directed the Department of Transportation to resume strict enforcement of language proficiency and licensing checks, which had been relaxed in recent years. Since 2016, truckers who failed English proficiency requirements were not automatically placed out of service, and drivers could use interpreters, I-Speak cards, or smartphone translation apps to demonstrate compliance. The new bill would eliminate those allowances, making English proficiency a non-negotiable standard for staying behind the wheel.
Donalds explained the rationale: “The failure of states to enforce basic and commonsense requirements for truckers is putting every American motorist at risk. Safety must be the standard, not the exception.” He emphasized that the Department of Transportation would be tasked with enforcing these rules. If a state were to block enforcement—say, a so-called “sanctuary” state—Donalds’s bill would allow the federal government to withhold transportation highway funding. “The blue states that want to remain sanctuaries would not get federal tax money if they refused to comply,” he said, underscoring the bill’s teeth.
For truckers, the proposed changes are significant. As SlashGear noted, the experience of pulling into a weigh station is already fraught with anxiety, akin to passing through a TSA checkpoint at the airport. Now, drivers would face an additional hurdle: proving their English skills every time they stop. Many in the trucking industry acknowledge the logic—after all, semi-trucks are massive machines, and a communication breakdown can be deadly. Stricter inspections could, in theory, mean safer highways for everyone.
Yet, the bill is not without controversy. Critics have raised concerns about how the new rules might affect drivers with disabilities, such as those who are deaf or hard of hearing. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) implemented exemptions for these drivers in 2014, but it’s unclear how those allowances will mesh with the WEIGH Act’s requirements. There’s also unease about the impact on immigrant drivers, who may be penalized for having a strong accent or for not being “fluent enough,” regardless of their actual driving abilities.
Some point out that language proficiency is not the leading cause of truck accidents. FMCSA’s own research lists brake problems, speeding, and fatigue as the main culprits. Still, supporters of the WEIGH Act argue that being able to read road signs, respond to official inquiries, and fill out reports in English is a baseline requirement for safety on American roads.
Meanwhile, the push for stricter standards is gaining momentum beyond the WEIGH Act. Florida Senator Ashley Moody has introduced the Safer Truckers Act, which would require states to issue CDLs only to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or those with valid work visas. States would also have to report annually on how they’re enforcing federal English proficiency rules for commercial drivers. Failure to comply could result in a reduction of federal transportation funding—a powerful incentive for states to fall in line.
Donalds is optimistic about the bill’s prospects. “Hopefully we’ll see this get agenda-ed on Capitol Hill real soon, and we can get this bill moving through Congress,” he told Breitbart News listeners. The stakes, he argued, are nothing less than the safety of every American motorist.
As the debate unfolds, truckers across the country are left to wonder how these new requirements will affect their livelihoods. Will the focus on English proficiency make the roads safer, or will it unfairly target certain groups of drivers? Only time—and the legislative process—will tell. For now, the message from Florida’s lawmakers is clear: when it comes to big rigs and busy highways, safety—and the ability to communicate in English—will be the new standard.
The coming months will reveal whether Congress embraces this tougher approach, and how the trucking industry adapts to a new era of accountability on America’s roads.
