By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby issue the following directive:
Section 1. Purpose
America’s truck drivers are the backbone of our economy, pivotal to national security, and integral to the everyday lives of the American populace. Each day, these drivers take on the arduous and often perilous task of delivering goods to businesses, customers, and communities with safety, reliability, and efficiency.
Proficiency in English—designated as our official national language in Executive Order 14224 on March 1, 2025—should be a fundamental requirement for professional drivers. This proficiency is essential for comprehending traffic signs, communicating effectively with law enforcement and safety officials, and engaging with employers and customers. It’s a matter of basic safety and common sense.
Thus, federal law mandates that drivers of commercial vehicles must be able to “read and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, understand highway traffic signs and signals in English, respond to official inquiries, and make entries on reports and records.” Sadly, this requirement has been largely ignored for years, leading to increased risks on our roads.
My Administration will take the necessary steps to enforce this law, thereby ensuring the safety of American truckers, drivers, passengers, and everyone else on the road. We will uphold the regulations that guarantee anyone behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle is adequately qualified and proficient in our national language, English.
Sec. 2 Policy
It is the policy of my Administration to support America’s truck drivers and enhance roadway safety by enforcing the sensible English-language requirement for commercial drivers while eliminating unnecessary regulatory burdens that compromise their working conditions. This initiative aims to foster a safe, secure, and efficient motor carrier industry.
Sec. 3 Upholding English Proficiency Requirements for Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators
(a) The Secretary of Transportation, through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), must, within 60 days of this order, rescind the guidance document titled “English Language Proficiency Testing and Enforcement Policy MC-ECE-2016-006” issued on June 15, 2016, and replace it with new guidance outlining revised inspection procedures to ensure compliance with the English proficiency requirements as specified in 49 C.F.R. 391.11(b)(2).
(b) The Secretary of Transportation, acting through the FMCSA, shall take necessary actions to revise the out-of-service criteria so that violations of English language proficiency result in drivers being placed out-of-service. This will involve collaboration with relevant entities responsible for establishing these criteria.
Sec. 4 Strengthening Commercial Driver’s License Security for Safer Commercial Motor Vehicle Operations
The Secretary of Transportation, through the FMCSA, shall:
(a) Review non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) issued by pertinent State agencies to identify any unusual patterns or irregularities regarding their issuance;
(b) Evaluate and implement improvements to current protocols for verifying the authenticity and validity of both domestic and international commercial driving credentials.
Sec. 5 Supporting America’s Truck Drivers
Within 60 days of this order, the Secretary of Transportation shall identify and initiate additional administrative, regulatory, or enforcement actions aimed at enhancing the working conditions for America’s truck drivers.
Sec. 6 General Provisions
(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof;
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget concerning budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented in accordance with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
(d) The Department of Transportation will provide funding for the publication of this order in the Federal Register.
DONALD J. TRUMP
THE WHITE HOUSE,
April 28, 2025.
