In another major move to restore American safety and common sense, President Donald Trump signed a powerful executive order Monday forcing commercial truck drivers to demonstrate basic English proficiency. This action strengthens his broader push to officially recognize English as the United States’ national language.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt promoted the announcement on X (formerly Twitter), reposting Breitbart News’ detailed coverage.
The Trump administration’s executive action directs the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to enhance inspection protocols, making sure drivers are fully able to understand road signs, emergency instructions, and law enforcement officers. Under the new rule, drivers who fail English proficiency checks will be placed out of service immediately to protect public safety.
According to Breitbart, the order also requires a thorough review of the commercial driver’s license (CDL) process to strengthen authentication and language verification.
This bold action directly reverses an Obama-era 2016 memorandum that watered down English requirements and weakened enforcement, contributing to dangerous conditions on American highways.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy praised the president’s decision, saying he will soon join Trump to make a “major announcement” focused on putting American truckers first and keeping American families safe.
Conservative leaders are also rallying behind President Trump’s executive order. Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-WY) recently called on DOT Secretary Duffy to rescind the 2016 Obama guidance, pointing to a steady rise in fatal truck crashes since its implementation.
“It’s reasonable to conclude that loosening English proficiency standards has played a role in more accidents on our roads,” Hageman wrote in her April 10 letter.
The issue of truck driver language proficiency is gaining momentum at the state level as well. In Oklahoma, lawmakers are advancing a bill requiring commercial drivers to demonstrate sufficient English skills — reinforcing the commonsense approach Trump is leading nationally.
In the executive order text obtained by Breitbart, the Trump administration states:
“President Trump believes English proficiency is a non-negotiable safety requirement. Truckers must be able to read and understand critical signage, interact with traffic officers, and respond appropriately in emergency situations to protect American lives.”
Rep. Hageman emphasized how vital this is, especially in rural states like Wyoming:
“Being able to read and communicate in English is critical for safely navigating hazardous conditions that are a daily reality across the Intermountain West.”
The nation’s trucking community is applauding President Trump’s leadership.
Todd Peters of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), representing more than 150,000 professional truckers, told Newsweek that his organization “strongly supports” the move to restore English enforcement standards.
“Reading road signs and following emergency instructions saves lives,” Peters said. “Basic English skills aren’t optional — they are essential for safety.”
Earlier this year, OOIDA petitioned the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance to reinstate English proficiency as an out-of-service violation — a call now answered by President Trump’s executive action.
President Trump signed the executive order in a formal Oval Office ceremony at 5:00 p.m. Monday, sending a clear message: American safety, American standards, and American truckers come first.