Navigating the New Executive Order on English Proficiency for Truck Drivers: What Fleets Need to Know

On April 28, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order requiring commercial truck drivers in the United States to demonstrate proficiency in English. This policy shift, aimed at enhancing road safety, reverses a 2016 Obama-era rule that had relaxed enforcement of English Language Proficiency (ELP) standards. For fleets, drivers, and the broader trucking industry, this executive order raises important questions about compliance, hiring practices, and cross-border operations. In this article, we’ll explore whether the Department of Transportation (DOT) application needs an update, how drivers can prove English proficiency, what fleets employing non-English-first-language drivers can do, and how this might impact cross-border trading and non-US drivers.

Does the DOT Application Need an Update?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) already requires truck drivers to “read and speak the English language sufficiently” to perform their duties, such as understanding traffic signs and communicating with officials. However, enforcement of this rule has been inconsistent since 2016, when the Obama administration deprioritized placing drivers out of service for ELP violations. Trump’s executive order reinstates stricter enforcement, prompting the question: Does the DOT application itself need to change?

Currently, the DOT application doesn’t include a specific section to assess English proficiency—it’s assumed drivers meet the standard through existing processes. With this new order, the DOT may update its inspection guidelines rather than the application form. However, fleets might consider proactively updating their own DOT-related hiring processes. For instance:

• Adding a language proficiency question or test to their driver qualification forms.
• Requiring certification from a language institute as part of the application.

While updating the official DOT application may not be necessary, fleets could benefit from enhancing their internal documentation to ensure compliance and avoid surprises during inspections.

How Should Drivers Demonstrate English Proficiency?

The executive order emphasizes that drivers must communicate effectively in English—reading signs, interacting with law enforcement, and following directions. But how should this proficiency be proven, and should fleets update their DOT applications to reflect it?

The FMCSA doesn’t currently mandate a specific test, leaving it to employers and states to verify proficiency. With stricter enforcement looming, fleets might need to formalize this process. Options include:

• Standardized Tests: Require drivers to pass a test like the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a trucking-specific language assessment.
• Practical Evaluations: Conduct in-house tests, such as asking drivers to read signs aloud or respond to mock inspection scenarios.
• Certifications: Accept proof of completion from English language courses.

Fleets could update their DOT application processes to include these checks, ensuring drivers are vetted before they’re hired. This isn’t a DOT requirement yet, but it could preempt compliance issues and streamline hiring.

What If English Isn’t a Driver’s First Language?

Fleets employing drivers whose first language isn’t English face unique challenges under this order. These drivers aren’t barred from working—they just need to meet the proficiency standard. However, the burden falls on fleets to ensure compliance, which could mean added costs and effort. Here’s what fleets can do:

• Offer Language Training: Provide access to English courses, either in-house or through partnerships with local programs, to help drivers improve their skills.
• Use Bilingual Support: Employ bilingual supervisors or trainers to assist drivers during onboarding and inspections (though drivers must ultimately communicate independently).
• Screen Early: Incorporate English proficiency checks into the hiring process to identify needs upfront.

For smaller fleets, these steps might strain budgets, but they’re critical for retaining a diverse workforce while meeting the new requirements.

How Will Cross-Border Trading and Non-US Drivers Be Affected?

The executive order could significantly impact cross-border trading, especially for non-US drivers from Canada and Mexico operating in the US. These drivers are already subject to the same ELP rules when crossing the border, but enforcement has been lax. Now, they might face:

• Increased Border Scrutiny: Drivers could be asked to prove English proficiency on the spot, potentially with tests or documentation, leading to delays.
• Trade Disruptions: Longer border wait times could raise costs and slow supply chains, affecting businesses reliant on cross-border freight.
• Diplomatic Tensions: Countries like Mexico might view this as an additional trade barrier, complicating relations.

Non-US drivers will need to prepare for these changes, and fleets with cross-border routes should ensure their drivers are equipped with proof of proficiency—whether through certifications or training records—to minimize disruptions.

Final Thoughts

Trump’s executive order on English proficiency aims to boost safety, but it leaves fleets navigating a complex landscape. The DOT application may not need a formal update, yet fleets should consider enhancing their own processes to verify language skills. Drivers can demonstrate proficiency through tests or practical assessments, while fleets with non-English-first-language drivers can invest in training to stay compliant. For cross-border operations, the order introduces new hurdles that could ripple through trade networks.

As the DOT clarifies enforcement details, fleets should act now—reviewing hiring practices, supporting drivers, and preparing for border challenges—to turn compliance into an opportunity for a safer, more capable workforce.