Starting June 25, 2025, enforcement officials will implement English-language proficiency requirements for commercial drivers. Drivers who do not pass a two-step assessment will be deemed out of service.
Federal standards have historically mandated that commercial vehicle drivers must possess sufficient English language skills to:
- Engage with the general public and law enforcement personnel.
- Comprehend highway signs and signals.
- Understand and respond to official inquiries.
- Complete reports and records accurately.
However, in 2016, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) stated that drivers violating these requirements would no longer be placed out of service. Recent actions from the Trump administration have reversed this guidance.
Reinstatement of English Language Proficiency Enforcement for Commercial Drivers
On April 28, President Trump issued Executive Order 14286, emphasizing that English proficiency is an essential safety requirement for commercial drivers. Shortly thereafter, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance convened an emergency meeting to update its out-of-service criteria accordingly.
On May 20, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that starting June 25, failing to meet the English requirement would result in immediate out-of-service status. In border areas with Mexico, drivers will receive a citation but not be placed out of service.
The Two-Step English Proficiency Screening Process
If an inspector suspects a commercial driver may struggle with understanding verbal instructions, they will proceed with an English Language Proficiency (ELP) assessment. The process begins with a conversational interview in English, with no interpreters or translation tools allowed; this is not a fluency test.
If the driver passes, they will then be evaluated on their ability to read and interpret standard U.S. traffic signs. Failure at either step could result in a citation and immediate out-of-service designation. Notably, drivers who are deaf or hard of hearing and have FMCSA exemptions are excluded from oral testing.
What Actions Should Motor Carriers Take?
Fleets that believe a driver was improperly placed out of service for this violation can file a DataQ. This FMCSA system allows users to request a review of federal and state data that they consider incorrect or incomplete.
FMCSA advises motor carriers to evaluate a driver’s qualifications, ensuring they meet ELP requirements during the driver qualification process. This assessment should confirm whether drivers can effectively communicate with law enforcement officers during roadside inspections and comprehend highway signs encountered on the road.
Evaluating English Proficiency During Driver Qualification
An email to members from the New Jersey Motor Truck Association suggests that FMCSA recommends conducting driver interviews in English as part of the qualification process to ensure compliance with the regulations.
The interview should cover topics that allow the driver to articulate details about:
- The origin and destination of a recent or planned journey.
- The duration of their duty, including driving time and logbook records.
- The information contained in the driver’s license.
- Shipping documents related to the load being transported or to be transported.
- Vehicle equipment that requires inspection.
During this ELP interview, tools such as interpreters, I-Speak cards, cue cards, and smartphone apps should not be utilized. FMCSA also recommends that the manager clarify to the driver that they must comprehend and articulate the meaning of U.S. highway signs, selecting examples from the Federal Highway Administration’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for this purpose.
