Starting June 25, 2025, truck drivers in the U.S. face new rules regarding English language proficiency. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has decided that drivers who can't read and speak English will be placed out of service.
Why it matters: This decision follows President Trump's executive order aimed at various trucking industry issues, including reinforcing English proficiency rules.
- The CVSA Board acted quickly, using an emergency bylaw to add this requirement to the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria.
- The decision calls for drivers to communicate in English with safety officials and understand road signs.
What's next: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) plans to provide guidance to inspectors to ensure consistent enforcement of this standard, according to a CVSA release.
Looking ahead: CVSA will request FMCSA to align English language standards between commercial driver’s licenses and driver qualifications, addressing potential inconsistencies.