In a new instance of a bold stand taken by Donald Trump, the president has issued an executive order that mandates commercial truck drivers in America to be proficient in English.
See the tweet below!
On April 28, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order requiring truck drivers to pass English literacy tests as a measure to enhance road safety.
The directive acknowledges truck drivers’ essential role in the U.S. economy.
This move aims to address communication issues that have plagued interactions between truck drivers and federal and local officials.
The Department of Transportation is now instructed to include English literacy tests for truckers.
Communication issues have long been a thorn in the side of our safety protocols and can lead to misunderstandings on the road.
As Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, aptly put it, “You might not know, but there’s a lot of communication problems between truckers on the road with federal and local officials, which obviously is a public safety risk.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is urged to repeal previous guidance that weakened English proficiency requirements for commercial drivers, aiming to bolster safety measures.
This last-minute decree includes provisions for improving working conditions for American truck drivers, an objective that has gone unaddressed for too long.
This subject has been brewing for some time; “American truckers are the foot soldiers who are really carrying us to victory,” President Trump declared, emphasizing the importance of truckers who were a lifeline during the 2020 pandemic.
English proficiency is not just a bureaucratic requirement—it’s a rudimentary necessity for professional drivers who need to navigate traffic signs and effectively communicate with various officials.
Tackling communication issues among truckers will significantly mitigate public safety risks, but details on enforcement remain elusive, as noted by critics.
This new order also complements Trump’s earlier declaration making English the official language of the United States.
While it more firmly establishes English proficiency as a safety requirement, this executive order also repeals a 2000 mandate by former President Bill Clinton that sought assistance for non-English speakers.
Trump emphasizes this is crucial for ensuring qualified and proficient truck drivers keep America’s highways safe.
President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive order requiring commercial truck drivers working in the U.S. to be proficient in English, reinforcing an existing federal law that required English-language proficiency for any commercial drivers. https://t.co/pTzkAQ7bbI
— 10TV (@10TV) April 29, 2025
The responsibility now lies with the Department of Transportation to include this directive in the Federal Register.
Carrying this order forward correctly ensures we are one step closer to securing our roadways by enforcing rules that serve the collective safety and security of our nation.
The clock is ticking, and swift action will demonstrate America’s commitment to its own values.
