New Executive Order Requires Stricter English Proficiency for U.S. Commercial Drivers
Effective June 27, 2025, a new executive order will impose stricter English language proficiency standards on all U.S. commercial drivers—a move that is already creating sharp divisions across the trucking industry.
Backed by powerful lobbying groups like the American Trucking Associations (ATA) and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), the Biden administration claims the policy is designed to improve highway safety, reduce communication errors, and ensure better coordination with law enforcement and emergency services.
However, critics warn the measure could displace thousands of skilled drivers, particularly immigrants and non-native English speakers, at a time when the industry is already grappling with chronic driver shortages and volatile freight demand.
The Executive Order: What’s Changing?
The executive order, signed on May 30, mandates that:
- All new CDL applicants must demonstrate “practical command of English” in spoken, written, and comprehension formats before obtaining a commercial license.
- Existing CDL holders may be subject to reevaluation if flagged during inspections, incidents, or audits for poor communication skills.
- The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) will issue updated testing guidelines and coordinate with state DMVs for enforcement.
- Third-party CDL training schools must begin documenting English instruction effectiveness by Q4 2025.
Previously, federal regulation only required drivers to “read and speak English sufficiently to converse with the general public,” with interpretation left to local examiners and enforcement officers. The new order creates a nationwide standard with measurable performance thresholds, including oral response time, reading comprehension under stress, and standardized scenario-based testing.
Why the Rule Is Gaining Support
Advocates argue the change is overdue. “Too many roadside incidents and miscommunications happen because a driver can’t explain their load, understand directions, or respond to hazards,” said Chris Spear, President and CEO of ATA. “This isn’t about exclusion. It’s about accountability and public safety.”
OOIDA also threw its weight behind the order. “Owner-operators are often the first responders in emergencies. English comprehension isn’t just helpful—it’s critical,” a spokesperson said in a June 1 press release.
Data from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) shows that language barriers contributed to 8% of documented truck-involved accident reports over the past five years. Most involved improper load securement, missed signage, or inability to communicate with enforcement.
The Backlash: Risk to Immigrant Drivers
Yet many industry veterans and civil rights groups are pushing back. The Teamsters, along with immigrant advocacy organizations, argue the order is “discriminatory in practice if not intent.”
“There are tens of thousands of CDL holders from Central America, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe who work diligently, follow the rules, and deliver freight safely every day,” said Maria Vasquez, a labor attorney with the Immigrant Defense Network. “This order puts them under the microscope, even if they’ve never had a single violation.”
In fact, the American Immigration Council estimates that over 18% of CDL-A licensed drivers in the U.S. were born outside the country. Critics say placing additional hurdles on these drivers could exacerbate the driver shortage, which stood at over 60,000 unfilled positions according to ATA’s 2024 report.
Carriers Caught in the Middle
Large carriers may welcome the clarity, but smaller fleets worry about administrative burden and potential legal exposure.
“Our drivers all passed their state tests—how do we now reevaluate them without violating labor protections?” asked a safety director for a regional LTL company in Texas. “We can’t afford lawsuits or workforce attrition just because the government moved the goalpost.”
The FMCSA says it will release guidance documents and appeal processes before the June 27 effective date. Drivers flagged for non-compliance will reportedly be given 60 days to re-test or appeal before license suspension.
What Comes Next
Trucking schools and compliance departments are rushing to update materials. Legal firms are bracing for discrimination claims. And drivers—many of whom have operated safely for decades—are unsure how they’ll be affected.
Whether this executive order ultimately improves safety or sidelines valuable workers, one thing is certain: the debate over English proficiency in trucking is far from over.