Secretary Duffy announced that as of October 2025, a total of 7,248 drivers have been removed from service after failing to meet the English proficiency requirement. This number reflects a sharp increase compared to around 1,500 in July, highlighting intensified inspections and enforcement in recent months. The rule, outlined under regulation 49 CFR § 391.11(b)(2), requires that all commercial truck drivers be able to read and speak English well enough to converse with the public, understand road signs, communicate with authorities, and maintain accurate records. The enforcement was reinstated on June 25 2025 after being reinforced by an executive order and subsequent directives from the Transportation Department earlier that year.
Estimates indicate that between 130,000 and 150,000 truck drivers from Punjab and Haryana work in the United States. Many within this group have reported that the sudden enforcement of the English proficiency rule has left them struggling to maintain employment. The US trucking industry has long relied on immigrant labor to address driver shortages, and many foreign-born drivers have built their careers despite limited English fluency. The new enforcement drive, however, has placed their livelihoods in jeopardy.
The current inspection system involves a two-stage English assessment. During roadside checks, inspectors first evaluate a driver’s ability to communicate in English. If a driver cannot sufficiently respond, a formal English Language Proficiency (ELP) evaluation follows. In this process, interpreters, cue cards, and translation apps are not permitted. If the driver fails to respond adequately, they can be declared out of service on the spot. Drivers who pass the verbal section may still face an additional test involving the recognition of road and safety signs. Failure in either part results in immediate suspension from service. Industry observers have pointed out that the test can be subjective, with varying standards across states depending on the inspector’s judgment.
Historically, the English proficiency rule existed but was loosely enforced. A 2016 memorandum had limited the ability of inspectors to sideline drivers solely based on language barriers. That guidance was rescinded in 2025 through a presidential executive order and FMCSA directives. The updated enforcement criteria were then integrated into the North American Standard Out-of-Service rules, making language proficiency a mandatory requirement for continued operation.
Supporters of the stricter policy argue that communication skills are crucial for road safety. They note that truck drivers are responsible for large vehicles that share highways with passenger cars, and being unable to communicate in English can hinder understanding of road instructions, signs, and emergency warnings. Authorities emphasize that drivers are not required to be fluent, but must possess enough command of English to safely perform their duties and interact with officials when necessary.
On the other hand, critics warn that the sudden re-implementation of the rule disproportionately affects immigrant communities. They point out that many drivers who have worked safely for years are now being penalized for linguistic shortcomings that have not previously impacted their driving performance. Concerns are also growing about job losses, supply chain disruptions, and the overall shortage of qualified drivers that may follow. Industry experts have highlighted that while improving communication is important, the lack of clear training programs or retesting opportunities leaves drivers uncertain about their future.
Among the hardest hit are Indian-origin drivers, particularly Sikhs from northern India who form the backbone of many long-haul trucking operations across North America. Many of them have settled in the United States over the past two decades, helping sustain logistics routes that depend on long-distance freight hauling. Trucking associations representing Punjabi drivers have called for language-training initiatives and transitional measures, arguing that experienced drivers should not be pushed out without a chance to improve their English proficiency.
Carriers are also adjusting their internal procedures to comply with the law. Employers must now verify each driver’s English capability during the hiring and renewal process. Recommended methods include conducting interviews solely in English, asking drivers to describe their routes, discuss their vehicle inspection process, and interpret road signs. These steps are aimed at reducing the risk of fines or operational losses that may occur if a driver is declared out of service during an inspection. Analysts estimate that as much as 10 percent of the US truck driver population may not currently meet the required language standard, representing a potential challenge for the industry’s supply chain resilience.
The enforcement also carries implications for state compliance. States that fail to ensure drivers meet the English rule could risk losing federal highway safety funding. As a result, several states are intensifying their inspection programs to avoid potential penalties. At the same time, advocates for immigrant drivers are calling for support mechanisms that would allow affected drivers to undergo English improvement courses and regain certification rather than being permanently sidelined.
The broader impact of this enforcement is already being felt in the logistics sector. The trucking industry is essential to the US economy, responsible for moving over 70 percent of the nation’s freight. Sudden removals of thousands of drivers could strain supply chains and lead to delivery delays or cost increases. Industry analysts suggest that balancing safety with workforce inclusion will be crucial. Policymakers are being urged to provide language-training grants, certification pathways, and standardized testing criteria to ensure fairness across states.
The issue gained further attention following several highway crashes involving drivers with limited English skills, which prompted authorities to act swiftly in reinforcing compliance. These incidents reinforced calls from safety advocates to uphold communication standards as a key aspect of accident prevention. Still, the question remains whether this enforcement approach, which relies heavily on subjective roadside assessments, can achieve safety goals without disproportionately harming immigrant communities who have long powered the trucking workforce.
As the policy continues to roll out nationwide, its effects on employment, trade logistics, and road safety will be closely observed. For now, the new rule underscores a central message from regulators: effective communication is inseparable from transportation safety. Yet for thousands of immigrant truckers who have spent years on America’s highways, the challenge will be finding ways to meet these new requirements without losing their livelihoods.
