Trump signs executive order requiring truck drivers to be proficient in English
President Donald Trump on Monday signed executive orders related to immigration, including one that requires English-language proficiency for commercial motor drivers, such as truckers.
That requirement already exists, but Trump said it "has not been enforced in years," making roads less safe.
"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 states.
Trump, who last month issued another executive order for English to be the official language of the U.S., called the requirement "nonnegotiable for professional drivers."
The order states that all truck drivers must be able to read road signs, follow directions, and communicate with safety officers 鈥� all in English. While some in the industry say this is about public safety, critics argue it sends an anti-immigrant message.
The order's requirements are as follows:
- Cancels past DOT guidance that weakened English rules for truckers
- Requires unqualified drivers to be removed from the road
- Reviews non-domiciled CDLs to ensure proper issuance
- Calls for steps to improve truckers鈥� working conditions
"You've got...certain signals and other things that really require you to be able to understand and certainly read English and be able to communicate with enforcement authorities...It's very important," said Rick Todd, president of South Carolina Trucking Association.
But organizations like Migrant Equity Southeast are sounding the alarm.
"This executive order is essentially going more towards anti-foreign sentiment. This administration, rather than making language and information more accessible to everyone in the country, they prioritize this English-only narrative," said Eduerdo Delgado, civic and advocacy coordinator for Migrant Equity Southeast.
According to the National Association of Truckstop Operators, about 18% of employed truck drivers are foreign-born. And with the country already facing a shortage of approximately 60,000 commercial drivers, some advocates worry the new rule could deepen the problem.
"Immigrant workers benefit in our country, interstate. And they take up a lot of the jobs that are needed, Delgado said, "At any rate, less CDL drivers means that we're worsening the shortage."
Still, supporters like Todd argue the requirement isn鈥檛 new 鈥� it鈥檚 just finally being enforced: "This is not a new rule. It's just a restatement of the fact that they will enforce it."
According to the executive order, any truck drivers who do not meet the English proficiency requirement could be removed from the road. Federal and local law enforcement agencies will have 60 days to determine how to implement the changes.