Trump Signs Executive Order to Strictly Enforce English Proficiency for Truck Drivers — States Follow With Fines

Today, President Donald J. Trump signed a sweeping Executive Order aimed at strengthening roadway safety by mandating strict enforcement of English proficiency standards for commercial vehicle drivers.

Building on his earlier action officially designating English as the national language of the United States, Trump’s latest order directs federal agencies to fully uphold laws requiring commercial drivers to demonstrate English proficiency — a safety requirement that had been inconsistently enforced in previous years.

Key Actions from the Executive Order:

• Rescinding Weak Enforcement Guidance:
  The Secretary of Transportation must rescind Obama-era guidance that softened the English proficiency requirement for truck drivers.
• Enhancing Out-of-Service Criteria:
  FMCSA is ordered to revise its out-of-service standards so drivers violating English proficiency rules can be placed immediately out of service.
• Reviewing CDL Issuance:
  The Secretary must audit state processes for issuing non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) to ensure only properly qualified drivers are licensed.
• Improving Driver Conditions:
  The Executive Order calls for broader regulatory, administrative, and enforcement actions to protect American truck drivers’ working conditions.

Then, on May 1st, Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) voted to make a lack of English proficiency part of the out-of-service criteria for truckers.

Supporting America’s Truckers and Roadway Safety

President Trump’s order highlights that:

• English proficiency is a non-negotiable safety requirement.
  Truck drivers must be able to read road signs, respond to officials, and communicate effectively in English.
• Existing law already mandates this proficiency, but relaxed enforcement had coincided with rising trucking fatalities.
• Motor vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of death, claiming over 120 lives daily in the U.S.

Trump emphasized that ensuring English proficiency is critical not only for safety but also to support the livelihoods of America’s trucking community.

States Follow Suit: Fines and Penalties

While enforcement efforts have faced criticism over potential profiling, both federal and state regulators emphasize that a basic command of English is essential for roadway safety and regulatory compliance.

Following the federal move, states are beginning to strengthen their own enforcement:

• Arkansas:
  On April 14, 2025, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a law requiring all truck drivers to demonstrate they can read, write, and speak English.
  • Drivers failing English proficiency can be fined $500 for the first offense and $1,000 for subsequent offenses.
  • The law also makes it a felony for foreign-domiciled drivers to present improper documentation.

While no other states have enacted specific fines for English proficiency violations, enforcement actions have occurred:​

• Alabama: In a notable case, a truck driver was fined $500 for failing to demonstrate adequate English skills during a roadside inspection. ​
• Wyoming: The Wyoming Highway Patrol reported 410 inspections citing non-English proficiency violations between October 2023 and September 2024. However, due to federal guidelines in place at the time, these violations did not result in suspensions.

What’s Next?

The Department of Transportation is expected to issue new guidance shortly on how enforcement will be expanded — including roadside inspections, compliance audits, and CDL testing revisions.

Trucking companies are urged to immediately review their hiring and training practices to ensure all drivers meet English proficiency standards — or risk fines, out-of-service orders, and additional scrutiny during audits.

At CNS Companies, we do the English proficiency test, and we have partners to help teach the English language first.

If you have any questions about this new rule or what your fleet needs to do to help ensure compliance, contact us at 888.260.9448 or info@cnsprotects.com.