LINDEN, N.J. – Commercial truck and bus drivers across the country are expressing growing concerns over a newly enforced federal policy requiring stronger English language proficiency, according to a recent report by the Associated Press (AP News, June 28, 2025).
The policy, enacted following an executive order by President Donald Trump, states that drivers who are unable to read or speak English fluently will be deemed unfit to operate commercial vehicles in interstate commerce. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized the administration’s stance: “A driver who can’t understand English will not drive a commercial vehicle in this country. Period.”
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s updated guidance directs safety inspectors to conduct language assessments during roadside checks, which may include interviews and traffic sign recognition. Drivers can no longer rely on translation apps, cue cards, or interpreters during these assessments.
While federal rules requiring English proficiency for commercial drivers have long existed, the enforcement now includes stricter penalties. Under the revised policy, drivers who fail to meet the language standard can be placed “out of service” until the issue is resolved—reversing a more lenient approach introduced in 2016 under the Obama administration, when citations were issued but drivers were still allowed to work.
The AP report highlights how multilingual truck driving schools, like Driving Academy in Linden, New Jersey, are adjusting their training. Instructors use bilingual instruction and scripted English phrases to help non-native speakers prepare for inspections. Training methods now include watching English-language instructional videos and practicing key terminology used in commercial transport.
Despite these efforts, many drivers fear the new enforcement may result in job losses due to misunderstandings or subjective judgments. “It’s going to be, at the end of the day, the interpretation of the officer, so that makes people nervous,” said Jerry Maldonado of the Laredo Motor Carriers Association in Texas, which is now offering free weekend English classes.
Some drivers voiced support for the policy, citing road safety concerns related to signage comprehension. Others, however, worry that accents or non-standard vocabulary could lead to unfair penalties. Mannirmal Kaur of the Sikh Coalition told AP that the lack of clear, public criteria for enforcement raises the risk of discrimination, especially for drivers already facing bias.
The Department of Transportation noted that truckers must be able to answer questions about their routes, documentation, and duty status during inspections. The AP report also mentions that if a driver is placed out of service due to a language violation, the employer is responsible for ensuring the driver meets the requirement before resuming work.
As the policy takes effect, the trucking industry is watching closely to see how enforcement unfolds—and whether additional clarity or support will be provided for the many drivers navigating language barriers while keeping the nation’s goods moving.