English language requirement introduced for truck drivers in the US

US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy has signed and enacted a directive requiring commercial truck drivers in the US to have English language proficiency, following an executive order issued by US President Donald Trump last April.

Duffy stated, "Putting America first means putting safety first. Americans are much safer on the roads with truckers who can understand and interpret our traffic signs. This change ensures that the penalty for non-compliance is more than just a slap on the wrist."

According to the directive, commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers who fail to meet the long-standing English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirement of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will be removed from duty.

The FMCSA will consider a driver who does not have a sufficient level of English reading and speaking ability, or who cannot understand highway traffic signs and signals, as not qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration recently canceled a policy implemented during the administration of former US President Barack Obama in 2016 that had prevented the removal of commercial drivers who did not speak English.