Thousands of truck drivers across the United States have been barred from operating after failing newly enforced English proficiency tests, with Indian-origin and Latino drivers among those most affected.
The rule, reinstated under Donald Trump’s administration, has raised alarm among trucking companies and worker groups, who say it unfairly targets immigrant drivers. It could worsen the ongoing truck driver shortage.
Since June, more than 6,000 commercial truckers have been taken off the road for failing roadside English-language checks, according to a Washington Post analysis of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) data.
FreightWaves, a transport and logistics outlet, reported that at least 5,006 “English language-related out-of-service violations” were recorded through October, a number that continues to climb as states increase enforcement
Last week, Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, in a post on X, said that "7248 drivers placed out of service for failing to meet Trump's English language proficiency standards as of October 2025."
"US department of transport requires commercial truck drivers to speak and understand English to operate a big rig- or they will be taken out of service," Duffy added.
.
Harjinder Singh truck crash
The stricter enforcement followed several fatal road incidents, including a crash in Florida that killed three people.
The driver, Harjinder Singh, 28, originally from India, failed an English proficiency assessment after the accident, answering only two of twelve questions correctly. He has pleaded not guilty to vehicular homicide charges.
Over $40 million lost
The Department of Transportation announced that California would lose over $40 million in federal funding for refusing to comply with the rule.
“California is the only state in the nation that refuses to ensure big rig drivers can read our road signs and communicate with law enforcement,” said Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. The rule was reinstated in May under Trump’s executive order, which mandates that commercial drivers must demonstrate sufficient English skills to read road signs, converse with the public, and communicate with officials.
What do experts say?
While federal officials argue the policy improves safety, industry experts say there is no data linking English proficiency with accident rates. “English proficiency is such a subjective standard,” said Brandon Wiseman, president of Trucksafe Consulting. “What one officer might think is proficient, another officer down the road might think is not proficient. That makes it tough.”
Drivers and trucking companies are not happy over the lack of clarity and fairness in the testing process. “It’s going to cause a lot of singling out of Mexican individuals or individuals of Hispanic heritage, and maybe stereotyping,” said Adalberto Campero, CEO of Texas-based Unimex. “Drivers are scared now. They’re threatened, they’re intimidated because they feel like their livelihood could be taken away.”
Several industry schools are now preparing drivers for roadside English checks. Eli Soler, who runs a Miami-based commercial driving school, said he has added mock English tests to his classes. “This is an industry that requires both skills, the English to communicate and the proficiency to drive equipment,” he said.
Loss of jobs for immigrant drivers
The enforcement has also raised fears of job losses, particularly among older or immigrant drivers. “A big chunk of the industry is made up of Latino drivers who work really hard and safely, even if their English isn’t perfect,” said David Sanchez, a Texas-based driver. “The young people are going to learn English pretty quick, but there are a lot of older drivers who are probably going to lose their job.”
According to the FMCSA, about 3.8 per cent of licensed commercial drivers have limited English proficiency.
Critics argue the new rule is part of a broader political agenda. The Sikh Coalition called the policy “an effort to remove approximately 194,000 non-domiciled drivers from the workforce,” saying it unfairly targets immigrants rather than addressing genuine safety concerns.
Despite the backlash, Secretary Duffy defended the enforcement, saying, “Americans are a lot safer on roads alongside truckers who can understand and interpret our traffic signs."