New English-Language Proficiency Regulations for Drivers
Beginning June 25, 2025, both state and federal authorities will begin enforcing regulations regarding English-language proficiency for drivers. This follows several rule amendments enacted in May.
On May 20, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced a new enforcement policy, stating that all roadside inspections should commence in English. If an inspector suspects a driver lacks language skills, they may administer a language proficiency test. Drivers who do not pass this test will receive a citation for a violation, effective immediately. Once the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria is updated, those who do not comply with language standards will also be placed out of service.
According to a May 1 press release, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) will incorporate violations related to English-proficiency into the North American Out-of-Service Criteria starting June 25. These rule changes arise from an executive order issued by President Donald Trump, urging organizations to enhance enforcement of English-language proficiency in the trucking industry.
A driver in the U.S. may be declared out of service if they “cannot read and speak the English language sufficiently to communicate with the safety official on official inquiries and directions,” as stated in the CVSA press release. Officials will evaluate a driver’s communication skills based on a specific two-step assessment outlined in FMCSA’s internal guidelines.
The first step involves an interview where an official prompts the driver to respond in English, assessing their communication ability through a series of questions. Drivers are prohibited from utilizing communication aids such as interpreters or apps. If a driver does not pass this initial assessment, they may be cited for a violation. A passing result leads to a second test, evaluating the driver’s understanding of highway signage.
Details regarding the two assessments were initially kept private, but the FMCSA provided further information in a May 22 notice aimed at motor carriers evaluating their drivers’ English skills. These guidelines encourage carriers to ensure that drivers can address questions regarding trip details, logbooks, and vehicle specifications. For highway sign comprehension, it’s advised to present both common and dynamic signs while allowing explanations in any language, as long as the manager understands.
Demand for drivers to be proficient in English has existed for some time. However, enforcement of this requirement has been sporadic, especially after the CVSA removed it from out-of-service criteria in 2015. The FMCSA followed suit in 2016, but last week’s memo reinstates the FMCSA’s guidelines. Notably, even when enforcement occurred, only a small fraction of drivers were placed out of service for English-related violations.
