President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order that mandates all truck drivers pass English literacy tests to ensure better communication and road safety. The order, expected to be signed later today, directs the Department of Transportation to enforce English proficiency requirements for commercial drivers, a move aimed at addressing safety concerns stemming from communication challenges on the road.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt explained the rationale behind the executive order, highlighting the importance of truckers being able to read traffic signs, communicate effectively with law enforcement and safety officials, and receive necessary instructions in English. “This is a commonsense policy,” Leavitt said during a Monday press conference, noting that language barriers have posed risks to public safety.
The order also instructs Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to rescind previous guidelines that diluted the enforcement of English proficiency for drivers, a policy shift that began under the Barack Obama’s administration in 2016 and continued under the Biden administration. The influx of foreign-born truckers in recent years, particularly following an initiative to expand truck-driving training for refugees, has prompted concerns about communication challenges between drivers and regulatory authorities.
Trump’s executive order follows his previous actions to reinforce English as the national language, with another executive order in March declaring English as the official language of the U.S. The new measure will place drivers who fail to demonstrate sufficient English proficiency “out-of-service,” a move that the administration believes will help enhance roadway safety.
The order also reinforces Trump’s support for truckers, who he praised during the pandemic for their essential role in delivering goods while the nation was locked down. Trump’s continued focus on this issue comes as he looks to shore up support among the trucking community, which has been wary of the current administration’s policies.
