President Trump just did what common sense has been screaming for – restoring English proficiency requirements for truckers who hurtle 80,000-pound metal missiles down our highways while unable to read road signs.
At a Glance
- Trump signed an executive order mandating English proficiency for commercial truck drivers, reversing an Obama-era policy that relaxed enforcement
- The order directs the DOT to implement English literacy testing for all commercial motor vehicle operators
- Drivers failing to meet English proficiency standards will be placed out of service until they demonstrate adequate skills
- Industry groups cite a 30% increase in fatal truck crashes since Obama’s 2016 policy change
- The policy reinstates a 1937 requirement that truckers must read and speak English sufficiently to understand traffic signs and interact with the public
Trump Puts American Safety First
In a move that has safety advocates cheering and common sense nodding in approval, President Trump signed an executive order Monday reinstating English proficiency requirements for commercial truck drivers operating in the United States. The order effectively dismantles a 2016 Obama administration memo that had relaxed enforcement of these critical safety standards. Remember when the left thought reading road signs was optional? Those days are officially over, folks.
The executive order, signed in the Oval Office at 5 p.m. Monday, directs the Department of Transportation to strengthen inspection procedures for verifying drivers’ English skills and begin comprehensive literacy testing for all commercial motor vehicle operators. Drivers who fail to demonstrate adequate English proficiency will be prohibited from operating commercial vehicles until they can meet the standard – because apparently, being able to read “BRIDGE OUT” or “HAZARDOUS CARGO PROHIBITED” might be important.
US TRUCKING INDUSTRY — TRUMP'S EXECUTIVE ORDER:
The Sikh Coalition is deeply concerned about an executive order, signed by President Trump this afternoon, that seeks to “ensure all commercial vehicle operators in the United States are proficient English speakers.” We…
— rattanjournalist (@RattanNews) April 28, 2025
Safety Data Backs Trump’s Decision
Republican Representative Harriet Hageman of Wyoming, who requested the rescindment of Obama’s 2016 memo, pointed to alarming safety statistics supporting the reinstatement. “When looking at available data, it is well within reason to conclude that this guidance has played a factor in the number of trucking accidents throughout the last several years,” Hageman stated, highlighting the obvious connection that somehow eluded the previous administration.
“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. Basic English skills are essential for reading critical road signs, understanding emergency instructions, and interacting with law enforcement. Road signs save lives—but only when they’re understood. That’s why OOIDA petitioned the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance earlier this year to reinstate English proficiency as an out-of-service violation. Today’s announcement is a welcome step toward restoring a common-sense safety standard.” – Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association Todd Peters
Reports indicate a shocking 30% increase in fatal crashes involving large trucks since the Obama-era policy change was implemented. That’s not just a statistic – those are lives that might have been saved if drivers could understand basic safety communications. This is what happens when political correctness trumps public safety. Thankfully, sanity has returned to the White House and our highways.
A Return to Common Sense Policy
President Trump himself articulated the blindingly obvious reasoning behind the order, stating that truck drivers “should be able to read and understand traffic signs, communicate with traffic safety, border patrol, agricultural checkpoints, and cargo weight-limit station officers. This is common sense.” Indeed, one wonders why this was ever a controversial position to take. When did expecting commercial drivers to understand “STOP” or “WRONG WAY” become an extreme position?
“DOT Secretary Sean Duffy also shared the article on X and said he will be making a ‘big announcement’ with Trump ‘to make our roadways safer and put American truckers first.'” – DOT Secretary Sean Duffy
The order reinstates a policy dating back to 1937 requiring commercial vehicle operators to read and speak English sufficiently for public interaction and understanding traffic signs. The Small Business in Transportation Coalition is calling for Congress to permanently codify these requirements through legislation like the proposed Connor’s Law, named after Connor Dzion, who was tragically killed by a truck driver allegedly unable to understand English. When lives are literally at stake, language proficiency isn’t an immigration issue – it’s a public safety imperative.
