President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order Monday aimed at strengthening safety regulations for commercial truck drivers, with a key focus on enforcing English language proficiency.
The order, titled “Enforcing Commonsense Rules of the Road for America’s Truck Drivers,” emphasizes the importance of clear communication for road safety and national security.
The executive order cites existing federal regulations requiring commercial drivers to “read and speak the English language sufficiently” to understand traffic signs, communicate with officials, and complete necessary reports. However, the order contends that these requirements have not been adequately enforced.
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“America’s truck drivers are essential to the strength of our economy, the security of our Nation, and the livelihoods of the American people,” President Trump stated in the order. “Proficiency in English…should be a non-negotiable safety requirement for professional drivers.”
Provisions of the executive order include:
- Rescinding Existing Guidance: The Secretary of Transportation, through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), is directed to rescind a 2016 guidance document on English language proficiency testing and issue new guidance with stricter enforcement procedures.
- Out-of-Service Criteria: The order mandates that a violation of the English language proficiency requirement will result in drivers being placed out-of-service.
- CDL Security Review: The FMCSA will review non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) for irregularities and improve protocols for verifying the authenticity of driving credentials, both domestic and international.
- Improving Working Conditions: The Secretary of Transportation is tasked with identifying and implementing actions to improve the working conditions of truck drivers.
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The order also references Executive Order 14224, which designated English as the official language of the United States.
The administration argues that enforcing English proficiency is crucial for ensuring drivers can understand traffic signs, communicate with law enforcement and other officials, and effectively receive and provide instructions related to their work.
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