On Monday, April 28, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order mandating that commercial truck drivers in the United States demonstrate proficiency in English. The directive, framed as a measure of "common sense," aims to improve road safety and communication standards within the trucking industry. The order is set to take effect in 60 days, and it seeks to enforce existing federal regulations that require drivers to read and understand traffic signs and communicate effectively with law enforcement and safety officials.
The executive order highlights the necessity for drivers to be able to provide feedback to employers and customers, as well as receive directions in English. Trump stated, "My Administration will enforce the law to protect the safety of American truckers, drivers, passengers, and others, including by upholding the safety enforcement regulations that ensure that anyone behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle is properly qualified and proficient in our national language, English."
This new mandate reverses a 2016 policy enacted during the Obama administration that eased enforcement of English proficiency requirements for truck drivers. According to the order, the previous lack of enforcement may have compromised road safety across the nation.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized the importance of effective communication, noting, "There’s a lot of communication problems between truckers on the road with federal officials... which obviously is a public safety risk." The order directs the Department of Transportation to implement a language assessment that evaluates drivers' English proficiency, particularly their ability to read traffic signs and communicate with road safety officials, the Border Patrol, and agricultural checkpoints. Those who do not pass the assessment may be removed from their duties.
The trucking sector has reacted with mixed feelings. Todd Peters, a representative from the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), expressed support for the initiative, stating, "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." Peters noted that OOIDA had previously petitioned for the reinstatement of English proficiency as an out-of-service violation.
However, not all truck drivers share this viewpoint. Yoman Rivera, a truck driver with 15 years of experience, labeled the new law as "horrible," arguing that he has always understood signage and communicated effectively, despite his limitations with the language. Fellow driver Russell Rocha supported the initiative, stating, "If you can't read or understand a sign, that is dangerous; it could affect all of us."
Concerns also extend to the potential impact on the Cuban-American community, which includes approximately 20,000 to 25,000 truck drivers of Cuban origin. Many of these drivers have limited English proficiency, and the requirement to pass an official test could threaten their job stability. This echoes the case of Rogel Lázaro Aguilera-Mederos, a Cuban truck driver who faced legal repercussions following a fatal accident in Colorado in 2019 and required an interpreter during his trial.
Rigo Díaz, a road safety expert and president of the consulting firm Simplex Group, warned that the new order could create a crisis in transportation. He noted that there are currently 70,000 vacancies in the trucking industry, and linking road safety to language proficiency might be misguided. "You can have a driver who doesn't master English and still be a safe and professional driver," he stated.
The executive order also raises questions about the Trump administration's broader transportation policy. While promoting the development of autonomous vehicles and relaxing regulations for their implementation, the administration is simultaneously tightening requirements for human drivers. This dual approach creates uncertainty in the industry, particularly for immigrant drivers with limited language skills who have relied on trucking as a means of economic advancement.
As the trucking industry braces for the implications of this new order, it remains to be seen how many drivers will be affected and whether the anticipated delays in delivery and distribution chains will materialize. The debate continues over the balance between safety and accessibility in a sector that plays a critical role in the U.S. economy.
In summary, President Trump's executive order mandating English proficiency for commercial truck drivers has sparked both support and opposition within the trucking community. As the enforcement date approaches, industry stakeholders are left to navigate the complexities of compliance and the potential fallout from this significant policy shift.
