Nearly 10,000 truckers removed from U.S. roads for failing English proficiency tests, DOT announces
By isabelle // 2025-12-15
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  • Federal inspectors are pulling truck drivers off the road for failing English tests.
  • More than 9,500 drivers have been removed from service since enforcement began.
  • The crackdown follows fatal crashes involving drivers who obtained licenses without proper vetting.
  • California faces funding cuts for improperly issuing commercial licenses to non-residents.
  • Industry groups support the rule as a common-sense safety necessity for clear communication.
The safety of America’s highways is facing a long-overdue reckoning, and the catalyst is a simple, common-sense standard: the ability to speak and read English. Since May, federal and state inspectors have been pulling commercial truck drivers off the road for failing to demonstrate basic English proficiency, a move the Trump administration says is crucial for preventing deadly accidents. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced this week that this enforcement drive has resulted in more than 9,500 drivers being placed out of service. This dramatic action follows President Trump’s executive orders designating English as the national language and directing strict enforcement of long-ignored federal rules for commercial drivers. The push comes after a series of tragic crashes and an audit revealing systemic failures in how states issue licenses, placing the focus squarely on road safety over political posturing.

A policy born from tragedy

The administration’s focus intensified after several high-profile incidents. One notable case involved Harjinder Singh, who was arrested for making an illegal U-turn on a Florida turnpike, resulting in three deaths. An investigation revealed Singh, who was in the United States illegally, had failed an English exam, answering only two of 12 questions correctly and identifying just one of four road signs. Despite this, he had obtained commercial driver’s licenses in Washington state and California. This incident underscored what safety advocates had long argued: operating an 80,000-pound vehicle requires understanding traffic signs, warnings, and instructions from law enforcement. The federal government’s subsequent audit of commercial driver’s licenses, particularly "non-domiciled" CDLs issued to non-residents, found what Duffy called a "catastrophic pattern" of non-compliance. In California alone, more than 25% of such licenses were improperly issued. "What our team has discovered should disturb and anger every American," Duffy said in September. "Licenses to operate a massive, 80,000-pound truck are being issued to dangerous foreign drivers–often times illegally. This is a direct threat to the safety of every family on the road."

Enforcement meets reality

The practical effect of the policy shift has been significant. For decades, federal law required English proficiency for commercial drivers, but violations often only resulted in citations. President Trump’s April executive order changed that, directing that drivers who fail to meet the standard be taken out of service. "Federal law is clear, a driver who cannot sufficiently read or speak English — our national language — and understand road signs is unqualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle in America," Duffy stated. The administration frames this not as an immigration issue, but as a basic safety prerequisite. As Rep. Dave Taylor, a sponsor of related legislation, put it, “It’s a no-brainer – if you want to drive an 80,000-pound vehicle on American roads, you should be able to read the road signs.” Duffy’s department has moved to withhold over $40 million in federal funding from California for its failure to comply with the standards, signaling a serious financial commitment to the crackdown. The trucking industry is now grappling with the fallout. Some companies report drivers refusing routes through states with aggressive enforcement, leading to logistical headaches and increased costs. Industry analysts warn of a potential sharp decline in driver supply, with JB Hunt Transport Services CEO Shelley Simpson anticipating as many as 400,000 drivers could leave the business in the coming years due to enforcement actions.

The core safety argument

Amid the disruption, safety groups and many within the industry itself stand firmly behind the principle. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association strongly endorsed the move, with President Todd Spencer stating the requirement is "common sense." He emphasized that professional truckers must routinely "communicate with law enforcement and first responders in order to do their jobs safely and effectively." The argument is straightforward: highways are lined with English-language signs warning of road work, accidents, exits, and weight limits. In an emergency, the ability to communicate clearly with other drivers or first responders is not a bureaucratic hurdle; it is a lifesaving necessity. The image of the American trucker, a modern-day cowboy navigating the open road, is deeply woven into the national fabric. That iconic job carries an immense responsibility. The debate over English proficiency cuts through the noise of politics and lands on a fundamental question: what basic qualifications should we demand of someone operating a vehicle that can weigh as much as ten elephants alongside our families? For the Trump administration, the answer is clear and non-negotiable. The removal of 9,500 drivers is not a statistic about immigration; it is presented as a tally of potential hazards taken off the board, a first step in rebuilding a safety culture that many believe had been eroded by negligence and loopholes. As this policy continues to reshape the transportation landscape, the ultimate measure of its success will be found in the silent data of accidents prevented and lives saved on the endless stretch of American highway. Sources for this article include: InfoWars.com Bloomberg.com CNBC.com
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