There are some news stories that are hard to believe, even after reading them in the most credible media outlets. This one certainly falls into that category.
In an executive order issued on April 28, 2025, President Donald Trump mandated strict enforcement of a federal rule requiring all commercial vehicle drivers to be proficient in English. Presented as a “non-negotiable” road safety measure, this decision strengthens an already controversial language policy of the Trump administration.
According to the White House, this requirement is justified by drivers’ need to read road signs, understand instructions from police officers, border agents, or weight station officials, and respond to official requests. “English proficiency is a non-negotiable safety requirement for professional drivers,” states the decree’s introduction.
This order comes less than two months after Donald Trump officially designated English as the national language through Executive Order 14224. The American president sees this as an essential step to protect “the safety of American truckers, drivers, passengers, and the public” while strengthening “national unity.”
Federal law, cited in the decree, already requires drivers to “read and speak English well enough to communicate with the public, understand road signs, respond to official inquiries, and complete reports.” However, according to the president, this rule hasn’t been properly enforced for years, “making American roads less safe.”
The order directs Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to revoke previous language tolerance guidelines, including the 2016 English Language Proficiency Testing and Enforcement Policy. They must also update criteria for removing drivers who don’t meet the language requirement from service.
The decree goes beyond just language requirements. It also mandates a review of non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) to detect potential fraud or irregularities. Measures to strengthen license validation checks, including internationally issued ones, are also included.
Finally, the president has directed the Department of Transportation to develop, within 60 days, a set of actions aimed at improving working conditions for American truckers.
This decision is part of a series of restrictive measures regarding immigration and cultural identity, presented under the guise of public safety. It comes during a tense electoral period, where the White House seeks to demonstrate its firmness on the issue of “Americanizing” institutions and the labor market.
While the administration emphasizes the necessity of a common language to ensure road safety, critical voices denounce the politicization of language requirements, particularly against immigrant workers.
