President Donald Trump’s latest executive order reinstates English-language proficiency requirements for truckers, aiming to boost highway safety nationwide.
At a Glance
- Trump signs executive order enforcing English proficiency for commercial drivers
- 2016 Obama-era policy weakening the rule is officially overturned
- Industry leaders including OOIDA and ATA strongly support the move
- Department of Transportation ordered to enforce strict compliance
Restoring Roadway Safety
President Trump has signed an executive order reinforcing the federal requirement that commercial truck drivers must be proficient in English, reversing a 2016 Obama-era memo that weakened enforcement. Trump’s administration emphasizes the change will enhance highway safety by ensuring drivers can read signs and communicate effectively with law enforcement.
The White House explained that longstanding neglect of this rule compromised road safety, with Trump stating the requirement “has not been enforced in years, and America’s roadways have become less safe,” as reported by WCAX.
Watch coverage of Trump’s English Proficiency Order announcement.
Industry Reaction
Industry groups quickly voiced support for the executive order. Todd Spencer, president of the Owner-Operator Independent Driver Association (OOIDA), praised the move: “OOIDA and the 150,000 truckers we proudly represent strongly support President Trump’s decision to resume enforcement of English proficiency requirements for commercial drivers,” according to The Trucker.
Dan Horvath of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) added, “We thank the Trump Administration for responding to our concerns on the uneven application of this existing regulation.”
Freight companies have also noted that restoring the English-language rule creates a more consistent safety standard across states and removes regulatory ambiguity that had persisted under prior policy.
Enforcing the Law
Trump’s order directs the Secretary of Transportation to ensure consistent, nationwide enforcement of English proficiency requirements. Commercial drivers unable to meet these standards will be placed out-of-service, a measure intended to immediately remove unsafe operators from American roads.
“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,” Trump declared in remarks reported by WCAX.
The order also ties into a broader Trump administration initiative promoting English as the official national language, a move welcomed by conservatives advocating for strengthened cultural cohesion and public safety standards.
Political and Safety Implications
While critics have attacked the executive order as discriminatory, supporters argue the policy is common sense. They maintain that drivers navigating America’s roads must be able to read emergency signs, communicate during inspections, and understand traffic warnings to ensure public safety.
As reported by Western Journal, federal law clearly outlines that a commercial motor vehicle operator must be proficient in English—a standard Trump’s action simply restores.
Industry leaders believe the order will bolster accountability and set a strong precedent for future transportation safety initiatives, reflecting a renewed commitment to law enforcement and common-sense public protection.
