Is Your Driver English-Proficient? What the FMCSA Expects From Carriers

Recent changes from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) include a requirement that drivers have a minimum level of English language proficiency. What do the FMCSA truck driver English proficiency requirements mean for your organization? Learn more about the steps required to reach English language compliance for commercial motor vehicle drivers.

Why the English Language Proficiency Rules Are Changing

President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order (EO) in early 2025 that enforces English language proficiency requirements for commercial truck drivers. The EO reversed a 2016 policy that allowed drivers to remain in service when violating existing English language proficiency requirements.

Beginning in May 2025, the FMCSA provided new guidelines for its enforcement personnel regarding how to assess English proficiency among drivers. 

How Drivers May Experience the Language Rule Changes

The new FMCSA truck driver English proficiency rules may change how your drivers operate on the road. Along with the usual safety regulations compliance checks for things like the FMCSA hours of service, officials will be looking for compliance with the new language rules.

During a roadside inspection, the officers will only speak English. If the inspectors believe the driver is unable to comprehend the instructions, they will conduct an English language proficiency assessment. This interview might include basic questions about the driver’s work, including:

• Destination location
• Origination location
• Hours of service
• Expected route

The driver cannot use an interpreter, smartphone apps, or English language translation cards to help with the interview. If this interview causes inspectors to believe the driver is unable to understand English language instructions, they might conduct a further assessment. 

The inspector might ask the driver to read and explain highway signs printed in English. The driver may need to read and discuss messages on electronic signs that could be found on the road. Officers can’t allow the driver to use any language aids during this assessment.

What Happens If Drivers Are Found To Be Proficient in English?

If the inspectors determine the driver meets the English language proficiency requirements, the remainder of the inspection will continue. If the inspectors believe that managing the remainder of the inspection with non-English communications methods will facilitate the process, they can. After the inspector determines the driver’s English language proficiency, safety is the focus of the remainder of the inspection.

What Happens to Drivers Who Do Not Demonstrate English Proficiency?

If the law enforcement inspectors determine that a driver does not meet the proficiency requirements, they must document everything. The inspectors can then immediately place the driver out of service because of the English language proficiency violations.

Companies should have backup plans in place in case a driver is taken out of service for such a violation. The company should also have a process in place to understand why the violation occurred and to prevent it from happening again in the future.

What Motor Carrier Operators Can Do

How should motor carrier companies change to prepare for the FMCSA truck driver English proficiency requirements? You can take multiple steps to improve your driver communication skills, which will help them manage the new regulations.

Start by updating your policies for hiring drivers to ensure minimum English proficiency standards. You might want to have classes or training in place to help new and existing drivers improve their language skills. Use mock interviews and periodic assessments to prepare drivers for any interviews they might encounter on the road. 

Document all the training steps you’re using and which drivers qualify as English proficient. If you have drivers who are not proficient, document the steps you’re taking to help them reach the minimum standard. Such documentation can be helpful if you face violations or legal challenges related to your drivers’ English proficiency.

By seeking help from a fleet operations management company like FMCA Filings, you can prepare for these changes. Our team will manage your documentation and help you assess the status of all your drivers. We manage all aspects of your organization’s compliance with FMCSA regulations.

FMCA Filings Can Help You Successfully Manage All Your Fleet’s Requirements

With the FMCSA truck driver English proficiency rules changing, you may be unsure how to proceed. When operating a motor carrier fleet, managing trucking compliance regulation changes like this can be difficult. Receiving help from our experts at FMCA Filings can help you stay on top of these changes and smoothly implement them into your operations.

To learn more about how our FMCSA guidance experts can serve you with the English language assessment process, contact us or chat with one of our live agents today.