At the end of June 2025, the USA began actively enforcing a long-standing but previously weakly enforced requirement — English proficiency for commercial truck drivers. In the first weeks alone, dozens, and according to some reports, more than a thousand drivers were taken out of service (Out of Service) after road inspections.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) of the USA, together with state inspection agencies, began strict enforcement of regulation 49 CFR §391.11(b)(2). According to it, a commercial driver must:
- understand road signs and signals in English
- respond to inspectors' questions without a translator
- read and fill out official documents
According to Mexican authorities, in the first week of inspections alone, at least 40 Mexican drivers were suspended from work in the USA due to insufficient English proficiency. This was first reported by CDL Life.
“We are already seeing serious consequences for cross-border transportation,” said representatives of Mexico's transportation authorities.
Stay Updated with Industry News
Subscribe to our newsletter and get the latest trucking industry news, regulations updates, and career tips delivered to your inbox.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
Source: CDL Life
Although the English language requirement has existed for decades, in 2016, the FMCSA effectively prohibited inspectors from suspending drivers solely for the language barrier. The situation changed in the spring of 2025.
In April, a presidential order was signed requiring the US Department of Transportation to strengthen control over compliance with “basic road safety rules.” In response, the FMCSA revoked old clarifications and issued new instructions for inspectors.
“English proficiency is a matter of safety, not discrimination,” stated the US Department of Transportation.
Official FMCSA clarification:
FMCSA — English Language Proficiency Enforcement
According to the new instructions, the inspection includes two key stages:
- oral communication between the inspector and the driver in English
- checking the understanding of road signs and instructions
The use of translators, mobile apps, or prompts is not allowed. If the inspector concludes that the driver cannot safely perform the job, they have the right to immediately issue an Out of Service status.
According to industry media, since June 25, 2025, more than 1,200 drivers have already been suspended for this reason.
Source: The Truckers Report
The new inspections have the greatest impact on:
- drivers from Mexico and other countries working in the USA
- small transportation companies without training programs
- border states with heavy freight traffic
At the same time, the rule is applied equally to everyone, regardless of citizenship or the carrier's country of registration.
Experts are already discussing potential risks:
- temporary reduction in available drivers
- increased delays at the border
- additional pressure on logistics chains
Meanwhile, supporters of the initiative claim that strict control will improve overall road safety and reduce the number of incidents related to misunderstanding instructions.
Companies have already started to respond:
- implementing technical English courses
- conducting preliminary assessments of drivers
- strengthening preparation for road inspections
One thing is clear: English in the USA has once again become an essential working tool for truck drivers, not just a formal point in the rules.
Judging by FMCSA statements, there is no expectation of control easing in the coming months.
