On Monday, President Donald Trump took a decisive step to enhance road safety by signing an executive order mandating English literacy tests for truck drivers. This move, announced by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, aims to address communication challenges in the trucking industry, ensuring safer highways for all.
During a press conference with new media members, Leavitt highlighted the pressing need for the new policy. “You might not know, but there’s a lot of communication problems between truckers on the road with federal officials and local officials, as well, which obviously is a public safety risk,” she stated.
The executive order directs the Department of Transportation, under Secretary Sean Duffy, to implement English proficiency tests for commercial drivers, reinforcing a vital safety standard.
Leavitt emphasized the role of truckers in the nation’s economy, calling them “the backbone of our economy.” She described the policy as a “very commonsense” measure to ensure that drivers can effectively communicate in English, reducing risks stemming from language barriers.
Strengthening Existing Regulations
The executive order goes beyond introducing new tests. It instructs Secretary Duffy “to rescind guidance that watered down the law requiring English proficiency for commercial drivers,” according to a White House official speaking to Fox News Digital. Additionally, the order calls for actions to improve truckers’ working conditions, reflecting a commitment to supporting this essential workforce.
The White House official elaborated on the rationale: “President Trump believes that English is a non-negotiable safety requirement for professional drivers, as they should be able to read and understand traffic signs; communicate with traffic safety officers, border patrol, agricultural checkpoints, and cargo weight-limit station personnel; and provide and receive feedback and directions in English.” Drivers who fail to demonstrate English proficiency will be “placed out-of-service,” a measure designed to prioritize roadway safety.
Responding to Industry Trends
The policy comes amid reports of a growing number of foreign-born truckers in the U.S. Fox News’ Will Cain, on The Will Cain Show earlier in April, cited trucking experts who noted an influx of non-English-speaking drivers.
Cain pointed out that the Obama administration in 2016 relaxed enforcement of English proficiency requirements, while the Biden-Harris administration in 2024 expanded training programs for refugees, further increasing the presence of foreign-born drivers.
Trump’s executive order reverses these trends, reinstating rigorous standards to ensure all drivers can navigate the complexities of U.S. roads safely and effectively.
A Continued Commitment to Truckers
This is not the first time Trump has championed truckers. During the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, he praised their resilience and critical role in keeping supply chains running. “American truckers are the foot soldiers who are really carrying us to victory,” Trump said in April 2020 from the White House. “They’ve done an incredible job. We’ve had no problems. It’s been just – it’s been just great.” He added, “Thank God for truckers.”
The new executive order builds on this appreciation, combining gratitude with actionable policy to support truckers while prioritizing public safety.
A Broader Vision for Language Unity
This marks Trump’s second executive order related to the English language since returning to the Oval Office in January. In March, he signed an order declaring English the official language of the United States, emphasizing its role in fostering national unity. “A nationally designated language is at the core of a unified and cohesive society, and the United States is strengthened by a citizenry that can freely exhange ideas in one shared language,” Trump wrote.
That order revoked a 2000 executive action by former President Bill Clinton, titled “Improving Access Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency,” which mandated language assistance for non-English speakers by federal agencies and funding recipients. Trump’s latest order aligns with this vision, reinforcing English as a unifying and practical tool for safety and communication.
By mandating English proficiency for truckers, President Trump’s executive order tackles a longstanding safety concern while honoring the vital contributions of America’s truck drivers. As the Department of Transportation implements these changes, the policy promises to create safer roads and better working conditions, ensuring that truckers remain the steadfast “foot soldiers” of the nation’s economy.
The Fairview Gazette will keep you up to date on any executive orders made by President Trump.
