President Trump has moved to improve highway safety by setting a new requirement that all over-the-road truck drivers must speak and read English to qualify for a commercial driving license.
The order notes how important truckers are, but also points out the public safety issue.
“Every day, truckers perform the demanding and dangerous work of transporting the Nation’s goods to businesses, customers, and communities safely, reliably, and efficiently,” the order states.
“They should be able to read and understand traffic signs, communicate with traffic safety, border patrol, agricultural checkpoints, and cargo weight-limit station officers,” the order said. “Drivers need to provide feedback to their employers and customers and receive related directions in English,” the order adds.
“This is common sense,” it says.
NEW: @POTUS just signed an executive order to mandate that commercial truck drivers are proficient in English.
Here is the text of the order:
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:…
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 28, 2025
“My Administration will enforce the law to protect the safety of American truckers, drivers, passengers, and others, including by upholding the safety enforcement regulations that ensure that anyone behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle is properly qualified and proficient in our national language, English,” the order continues.
The order was celebrated by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA).
“OOIDA and the 150,000 truckers we proudly represent strongly support President Trump’s decision to resume enforcement of English proficiency requirements for commercial drivers,” OOIDA President Todd Spencer said in a statement. “Basic English skills are essential for reading critical road signs, understanding emergency instructions, and interacting with law enforcement.”
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