On Monday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order requiring commercial truckers in the U.S. to speak English proficiently. In the executive orders’ text, it acknowledges the major role that truck drivers play in the country’s economy as well as the livelihood of the American people. Back in March, Trump signed an executive order making English the country’s designated language. Under Trump’s new order, all truck drivers must read and speak English.
Truckers Must Speak English
Trump’s new executive order reads, “Every day, truckers perform the demanding and dangerous work of transporting the nation’s goods to businesses, customers, and communities safely, reliably, and efficiently.”
“They should be able to read and understand traffic signs and communicate with traffic safety, border patrol, agricultural checkpoints, and cargo weight-limit station officers,” the order said. “Drivers need to provide feedback to their employers and customers and receive related directions in English. This is common sense.”
Administration Will Enforce Order
Trump’s order reads that truck drivers must be able to read and speak English to operate commercial vehicles in the United States. “My administration will enforce the law to protect the safety of American truckers, drivers, passengers, and others, including by upholding the safety enforcement regulations that ensure that anyone behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle is properly qualified and proficient in our national language, English,” the order said.
New Guidelines Will Be Issued
According to the order, Sean Duffy, Trump’s transportation secretary, is expected to issue new guidance on English proficiency testing as well as enforcement policies. If a trucker violates the requirements, their driver’s license will be listed as “out-of-service.”’
“President Trump believes that English is a non-negotiable safety requirement for professional drivers, as they should be able to read and understand traffic signs; communicate with traffic safety officers, border patrol, agricultural checkpoints, and cargo weight-limit station personnel; and provide and receive feedback and directions in English,” the White House official shared.
“You might not know, but there are a lot of communication problems between truckers on the road with federal officials and local officials as well, which obviously is a public safety risk,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday during a White House briefing.
OOIDA Applauds Order
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) applauded the executive order.“OOIDA and the 150,000 truckers we proudly represent strongly support President Trump’s decision to resume enforcement of English proficiency requirements for commercial drivers,” OOIDA President Todd Spencer said in a statement. “Basic English skills are essential for reading critical road signs, understanding emergency instructions, and interacting with law enforcement.”
Trump Lauded Truckers In 2020
Trump’s executive order comes after he celebrated truckers during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. He applauded them for getting goods to stores while the country was on lockdown. “American truckers are the foot soldiers who are really carrying us to victory,” Trump said in April 2020 from the White House. “They’ve done an incredible job. We’ve had no problems. It’s been just – it’s been just great. Thank God for truckers,” he said at the time.
