Photo Source: ANI
Trump's English proficiency order set to impact trucking industry amid driver shortage
Gurmukh Singh Baria
Toronto (Canada), May 12, 2025 – A new executive order by U.S. President Donald Trump, requiring English proficiency for all commercial truck drivers, is expected to have significant implications for the North American trucking industry, which is already grappling with a shortage of approximately 80,000 drivers.
On April 28, President Trump directed the Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to prepare guidelines within 60 days for the strict enforcement of an existing but loosely implemented regulation—49 CFR 391.11(b)(2)—which mandates that commercial drivers must be able to read and speak English.
What the New Order Means
Under the new directive, drivers who are unable to demonstrate adequate English language skills during routine inspections, at weigh stations, or at border crossings will be declared "Out of Service" immediately.
They will not be allowed to drive until they can prove their proficiency in English.
The executive order emphasizes the need for drivers to:
- Read and understand road signs
- Communicate with law enforcement and emergency personnel
- Comply with road safety protocols and maintain accurate records
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Until now, this requirement was rarely enforced, with officers sometimes issuing a “No English” citation at most. However, the new order calls for a nationwide crackdown and formal testing of drivers' language skills during inspections.
Industry Concerns
The timing of the enforcement is particularly critical as both the U.S. and Canadian trucking sectors face ongoing labor shortages. Many Canadian drivers—especially new immigrants—operate across the
U.S. border with limited English proficiency. Industry experts warn that strict enforcement could sideline a substantial portion of the workforce.
Additionally, transport companies have been instructed to verify language proficiency during the hiring process. Local authorities across various U.S. cities have also been asked to coordinate with federal enforcement agencies to ensure uniform implementation.
As the June enforcement deadline approaches, trucking firms are racing to assess the language skills of their workforce and prepare for compliance to avoid disruption in cross-border logistics and supply chains.