In 2025, the enforcement of the English language proficiency requirement for commercial drivers in the USA was significantly strengthened. According to the US Department of Transportation, about 9,500 truck drivers were temporarily suspended from work following roadside inspections, during which inspectors concluded that the drivers did not meet federal standards.
The requirement itself is not new. It is enshrined in federal regulations and obliges CDL drivers to understand road signs, communicate with inspectors, and respond to official requests in English. The novelty lies in the approach to enforcing the rule.
On April 28, 2025, the White House issued an order directing agencies to more strictly enforce existing rules. By May 20, the Department of Transportation released updated instructions for inspectors.
US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, when signing the document, stated that it is primarily about safety:
"A commercial driver must be able to communicate with law enforcement and emergency services. This is a basic condition for road safety," he noted in an official statement.
The official announcement from DOT and FMCSA was published on the agency's website: US Department of Transportation Statement on New Enforcement Rules.
According to regional media, inspectors recorded thousands of violations related specifically to language checks in the first months of the new instructions. In some cases, drivers were declared "out of service," meaning they were temporarily prohibited from continuing their journey until the violation was resolved.
This was reported by CBS12, citing DOT data and comments from federal officials: Nearly 9,500 Drivers Sidelined Due to Language Checks.
An additional factor was the decision by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA). As of June 25, 2025, non-compliance with English language requirements is officially included in the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria — a list of violations that allow an inspector to immediately suspend a driver during a roadside inspection.
CVSA emphasizes that the goal of the measure is to standardize inspection practices and reduce the risk of misunderstandings in emergency situations. The updated criteria are published on the organization's official website: North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria 2025.
In the transportation industry, the increased enforcement has caused mixed reactions. Supporters of the changes believe that the rule has long needed strict enforcement and is directly related to traffic safety. Critics fear that immigrant drivers, who have been working safely for years but struggle with spoken English in stressful situations, may be adversely affected.
One thing is clear: in 2025, English language proficiency transformed from a formal requirement into a real factor affecting the ability to continue working in the American trucking industry.