ID 168655578 © Carolyn Franks | Dreamstime.com
Conventional cab trucks on highway

Trump orders crackdown on non-English-speaking CMV drivers

May 7, 2025
The Trump administration is pushing for stronger enforcement of commercial driver English language requirements, and CVSA included English proficiency as part of its out-of-service criteria.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order last week that calls for stronger enforcement of English language requirements for commercial motor vehicle drivers.

The April 28 order calls for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to:

ID 20045527 © Ghadel | Dreamstime.com
truck hauls in arizona sunset
Previous FMCSA standards included English proficiency as a standard for commercial vehicle operation, but enforcers rarely interpreted the rule to be out-of-service criteria. Over the last four years of FMCSA roadside inspections, poor English proficiency accounted for only 0.16% of all inspection violations.

Three days after the order, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance added English language proficiency to its out-of-service criteria. The move by the nonprofit directs inspectors to prohibit drivers who cannot “speak the English language sufficiently” from operating a commercial motor vehicle. Since 2014, CVSA has directed inspectors not to place drivers out of service exclusively for their English proficiency. 

Trump’s order came one month after ATA officially voiced support for a crackdown on the illegal use of foreign truck drivers.

About the Author

Jeremy Wolfe | Editor

Editor Jeremy Wolfe joined the FleetOwner team in February 2024. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with majors in English and Philosophy. He previously served as Editor for Endeavor Business Media's Water Group publications.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of FleetOwner, create an account today!

Sponsored Recommendations

Waiting for a breakdown is costing you. Learn how smart preventive maintenance plans, accurate data, and cross-team coordination can protect your bottom line and boost profits...
Is your fleet ready for California's Clean Truck Check program? Our guide helps you navigate CARB compliance, avoid costly fines, and keep your trucks rolling. Learn how telematics...
Boost truck leasing profits with telematics insights! Reduce maintenance costs, improve uptime, and strengthen customer relationships. Learn how data drives success.
This free guide outlines simple steps for hiring and onboarding commercial drivers while ensuring that you meet Regulation Part 391 and maintain fully compliant driver qualification...