The Trump administration has mandated that all truck drivers and bus operators take their commercial driver’s license tests in English, as part of a vigorous initiative to enhance safety in the transportation sector and remove unqualified drivers from the roads.
On Friday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy unveiled this latest measure aimed at ensuring drivers can adequately comprehend English to interpret road signs and converse with law enforcement. Florida has already implemented this requirement for its testing.
Presently, several states permit non-English language tests for driver licenses, despite requiring proof of English proficiency. California offered tests in 20 languages. Duffy noted that various states have employed outside firms to conduct commercial driver’s license tests, which are not upholding the necessary standards for evaluating both driving and English skills.
This new enforcement initiative follows the Transportation Department’s recent decision to shut down 557 driving schools for failing to meet fundamental safety criteria. The department has particularly focused on states that awarded commercial licenses to immigrants lacking proper qualifications after a deadly crash in August.
Duffy emphasized the necessity for truck drivers to be thoroughly qualified, expressing that Americans expect individuals operating large vehicles to be competent. He mentioned that negligence in addressing issues within the trucking industry has persisted for years, resulting in increased dangers on the roads.
The campaign will also target fraudulent trucking companies while ensuring compliance with licensing regulations. Duffy announced that the requirements for trucking company registration would be tightened, alongside increased inspections of trucks and commercial driving schools by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration officials.
The problem of “chameleon carriers,” or companies that repeatedly register under different names to escape enforcement, is a significant concern. Dan Horvath, COO of the American Trucking Associations, highlighted a concerning lack of true enforcement that allows non-compliant companies to continue their operations despite past violations.
