Trump’s New Order: Surprising Changes for Truck Driver Communication

Person speaking at a podium with microphones. — President Donald Trump speaks at a rally on Jan. 6,2021 near the White House shortly before his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol.

Trump’s executive order requiring truck drivers to be proficient in English aims to significantly enhance road safety and improve communication on American highways.

Key Takeaways

President Donald Trump signed an executive order mandating English proficiency for commercial drivers.
The order overturns a 2016 directive that relaxed language requirements.
The measure is part of a broader effort to enhance roadway safety.
Organizations like OOIDA and SBTC support the enforcement, citing safety concerns.
The U.S. Secretary of Transportation must ensure compliance with the proficiency requirements.

Reinforcing Language Requirements

President Donald Trump ignited discussions across the nation by signing an executive order on truck driver regulations, mandating English proficiency as a federal requirement for commercial drivers. This decision aligns with the administration’s broader aim to designate English as the official language and to uphold public safety through stricter highway regulations. The measure addresses concerns from advocacy groups that pointed out lapses in enforcement have endangered safety on American roadways.

The directive calls for the Secretary of Transportation to retract guidance that weakened these language requirements under the previous administration. Trump remarked, “requirement has not been enforced in years, and America’s roadways have become less safe.” Heightened communication skills among truck drivers are expected to reduce accidents by ensuring clear interactions with law enforcement and accurate record-keeping, thus boosting safety for all road users.

"On behalf of America's Truck Drivers, we, the founders of American Truckers United, extend our heartfelt gratitude to President Donald Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy for the executive order mandating English proficiency for all truck drivers and addressing the… pic.twitter.com/grnkiJ1BLg

— American Truckers (@atutruckers) April 29, 2025

Support from Trucking Organizations

Support for the executive order is strong among industry groups. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) and the American Trucking Associations (ATA) have expressed approval, citing the need for consistent enforcement of the language policy to ensure safety standards across the nation. Todd Spencer of OOIDA welcomed the move, emphasizing “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.” Such endorsements highlight a collective call for rigorous application of the rule to maintain safety.

The executive order particularly targets safety concerns due to some drivers’ inability to understand traffic signs and communicate in emergencies. By mandating that drivers exhibit language proficiency, the order inherently pressures transportation authorities to standardize training and testing, thereby potentially preventing costly mistakes and accidents on the road.

Ensuring Compliance and Effectiveness

The reinforced measure also enforces compliance by directing transportation officials to address drivers found in violation of English proficiency rules. These drivers face the risk of being placed out of service, underscoring the administration’s firm stance on enhancing communication capabilities for safety purposes. There is also an initiative to publicize lists of “sanctuary city” jurisdictions, further reflecting the administration’s broader enforcement strategy.

Critics argue the measure targets specific demographics, prompting concerns regarding broader immigration policies. Still, the primary focus remains safety on American highways, made evident by implementing comprehensive standards that highlight proficiency in English as non-negotiable. Policymakers and industry leaders remain committed to addressing these enforcement challenges by prioritizing public safety over politically charged debates.