President Trump promised truck drivers he’d make American roads safer for them.
He’s following through on that promise with a stroke of his pen.
And Truckers erupted when they heard Donald Trump delivered one order.
President Trump enforces critical language requirement for commercial drivers
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday that could save countless American lives by ensuring all commercial truck drivers can read road signs and communicate in emergencies.
The executive order, “Enforcing Commonsense Rules of the Road for America’s Truck Drivers,” mandates that the Department of Transportation finally enforce a long-neglected federal law requiring truck drivers to speak and understand English—America’s official national language.
“America’s truck drivers are essential to the strength of our economy, the security of our Nation, and the livelihoods of the American people,” Trump declared in the executive order. “Every day, truckers perform the demanding and dangerous work of transporting the Nation’s goods to businesses, customers, and communities safely, reliably, and efficiently.”
By enforcing this common-sense requirement, Trump is addressing a major safety concern that has plagued America’s highways since 2016, when the Obama administration directed inspectors to ignore the English language proficiency standards required by law.
Truckers applaud life-saving measure
For American truck drivers who spend their days navigating highways alongside 80,000-pound commercial vehicles, this enforcement action couldn’t come soon enough.
Since the Obama administration’s 2016 policy change preventing inspectors from enforcing English language requirements, professional drivers have reported increasing danger on America’s roadways from drivers who cannot understand traffic signs, communicate with emergency personnel, or respond to critical safety instructions.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, executing President Trump’s order, didn’t mince words: “Federal law is clear, a driver who cannot sufficiently read or speak English—our national language—and understand road signs is unqualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle in America. This commonsense standard should have never been abandoned.”
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has documented multiple fatal crashes potentially linked to language barriers, including a 2019 tragedy where a driver sped past warning signs at nearly 100 mph before causing a collision that killed four Americans.
Executive order puts American safety first
President Trump’s executive order goes beyond simply enforcing language requirements. It takes a comprehensive approach to road safety by addressing potential fraud in the commercial driver’s license system.
The order requires the Department of Transportation to “review non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) issued by relevant State agencies to identify any unusual patterns or numbers or other irregularities with respect to non-domiciled CDL issuance.”
This unprecedented review could uncover systemic problems that have allowed unqualified drivers to obtain licenses through loopholes or fraud.
The executive order further mandates that the Department of Transportation “evaluate and take appropriate actions to improve the effectiveness of current protocols for verifying the authenticity and validity of both domestic and international commercial driving credentials.”
These measures will ensure that everyone operating massive commercial vehicles on American highways is properly trained, qualified, and able to communicate effectively in emergencies.
English proficiency saves lives
The executive order’s language requirements aren’t just about communication—they’re about survival.
When a truck driver can’t read warning signs about steep grades, low bridges, or hazardous road conditions, the consequences can be deadly. The inability to communicate with law enforcement or emergency personnel can transform a minor incident into a catastrophe.
“Proficiency in English, which I designated as our official national language in Executive Order 14224 of March 1, 2025, should be a non-negotiable safety requirement for professional drivers,” Trump stated in the executive order. “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 executive order explicitly requires that violations of the English language proficiency requirement result in drivers being placed out-of-service—effectively removing unsafe operators from America’s roads.
America First policy prioritizes truck driver welfare
Beyond the safety aspects, President Trump’s executive order includes a significant focus on improving working conditions for America’s 3.5 million truck drivers.
Section 5 of the order directs Transportation Secretary Duffy to “identify and begin carrying out additional administrative, regulatory, or enforcement actions to improve the working conditions of America’s truck drivers” within 60 days.
“This Department will always put America’s truck drivers first,” Duffy stated, signaling the Trump administration’s commitment to the hardworking men and women who keep America’s supply chains moving.
This comprehensive approach to both safety enforcement and driver welfare represents a dramatic shift from previous administrations that allowed political correctness to override safety concerns on America’s highways.
The combination of English proficiency requirements, fraud investigation, and improved working conditions fulfills President Trump’s campaign promise to support America’s truckers while enhancing safety for all Americans who share the road.
As the Department of Transportation begins implementing this sweeping executive order, American families can look forward to safer highways, and truck drivers can expect improved working conditions under an administration that recognizes their essential contribution to America’s economy.
