A Regulatory Shift for the Trucking Industry: Mandatory Trucker English Proficiency
On Monday, April 29, 2025, President Donald Trump signed a new executive order making trucker English proficiency mandatory for all commercial truck drivers across the U.S. While English requirements were already part of the FMCSA guidelines, this mandate places greater importance on enforcement and visibility. This could bring serious implications for carriers, brokers, DOT-authorized operators.
We at DOT Operating Authority are here to break down what this change means for your business and how you can stay compliant.
A Summary of the Executive Order on Trucker English Proficiency
The executive order on trucker English proficiency aligns with 49 CFR § 391.11, which states that a commercial driver must “read and speak the English language sufficiently”. This new road taken by the Trump administration could lead to stricter enforcement in the trucking industry.
Truck drivers must now be able to present proficiency in:
- Comprehending and obeying English road signs
- Communicating with law enforcement and DOT officials in English
- Completing the necessary paperwork in English, like logs, manifests, and inspection reports
Truck drivers who are unable to comply with these rules may face immediate disqualification, suspension, or increased audits under DOT review.
Additionally, the U.S. Department of Transportation is closely following the implementation of this executive order to ensure that carriers and truckers fully comply with the updated protocol.
Why was the Order Signed?
- In 2023, over 2,000 on-road violations were cited with “driver unable to communicate in English” as a safety concern.
- Between 2019 and 2024, the number of truck drivers who can’t speak English increased by 23% in the U.S.
- The FMCSA reported that driver communication issues contributed to 5.8% of serious carrier violations in 2022.
These increasingly pressing concerns around trucker English proficiency have led to greater federal interest in stricter enforcement. As such, the push for the new executive order to be signed was set in place.
How the DOT Is Responding to the Executive Order
Compliance Strategy: What Carriers Should Do Now
1. Update Your Hiring Practices
Make sure all truck drivers in your fleet go through an English proficiency screening as part of the hiring process.
2. Training and Resources
Provide basic English language training programs, especially for truckers with work permits, international Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL), or those who do not speak English.
3. Documentation & Reporting
Update your operational manuals and employee policies to reflect the regulations within the new mandate.
4. Audit-Readiness and trucker English language proficiency
Ensure all FMCSA-required driver qualification files include English language certifications or some form of documented proficiency.
How DOT Operating Authority Can Help
As a trusted source for MC numbers, BOC-3 filings, and FMCSA compliance, we at DOT Operating Authority support carriers through every change in federal regulation. Our updated services now include:
- Language Policy Templates
- Driver File Compliance Packages
- Readiness Checklists for DOT Audits
- Consultation on avoiding violations due to non-English-speaking drivers
The Future of The Trucking Industry and Trucker English Proficiency
President Donald Trump’s executive order on trucker English proficiency may be the greatest change to driver qualification regulations in the past few years. For owner-operators, fleets, and dispatch services, this is the perfect time to up compliance, instead of falling behind it.
The Department of Transportation is monitoring implementation closely, and enforcement is expected to increase across state lines. Now is the time to ensure your operation is in full alignment with federal standards.
Contact DOT Operating Authority today for professional help with understanding FMCSA changes and securing your DOT credentials from now and beyond.
