WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday requiring all commercial truck drivers in the United States to demonstrate proficiency in English.
The order recognizes the vital role truck drivers play in the nation’s economy and in the daily lives of Americans.
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“Every day, truckers perform the demanding and dangerous work of transporting the Nation’s goods to businesses, customers, and communities safely, reliably, and efficiently,” the executive order stated.
The new measure follows a previous executive order from March that designated English as the official language of the United States.
In the latest action, Trump said that being proficient in English is a necessary requirement for professional drivers.
“They should be able to read and understand traffic signs, communicate with traffic safety, border patrol, agricultural checkpoints, and cargo weight-limit station officers,” the order said. “Drivers need to provide feedback to their employers and customers and receive related directions in English.”
According to the order, drivers must be able to read and speak English “sufficiently to converse with the general public” in order to operate a commercial vehicle in the U.S.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has been directed to issue new guidance on English proficiency testing and how the rule will be enforced.
Any driver found not meeting the requirement would be placed “out-of-service,” the order stated.
The move was praised by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), which represents thousands of independent truckers.
“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,” said OOIDA President Todd Spencer. “Basic English skills are essential for reading critical road signs, understanding emergency instructions, and interacting with law enforcement.”
