Overview

• Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy signed a secretarial order on May 20, 2025, to enforce English-language proficiency rules for commercial truck drivers.
• Drivers who fail to meet Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) English requirements will now be removed from service under the updated guidance.
• The move follows President Trump's April 28 executive order reversing a 2016 Obama-era policy that limited enforcement actions for English violations.
• The Department of Transportation is also reviewing commercial driver’s license issuance and verification processes for additional security measures.
• Critics, including the North American Punjabi Trucking Association, warn the policy could disproportionately affect non-native English speakers, raising concerns about potential discrimination.