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    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:

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    Tires are part of the special focus this year, but as with any Level 1 inspection, every nut and bolt and hose and wire get its share of scrutiny.
    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.

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