It’s one thing to debate the rules in Washington — it’s another when 6,000 drivers are taken off the road.
That’s what’s happening across the country, as federal regulators begin enforcing a law that’s been around for decades but rarely taken seriously — the requirement that every commercial driver operating an 80,000-pound truck in the United States must be able to read and speak enough English to understand road signs, communicate accurately with inspectors, and register accurately.
The re-enforcement — spurred by a series of high-profile incidents and new federal guidelines — has laid off thousands of drivers and is already wreaking havoc on trucking capacity, carrier compliance programs, and some carriers that rely on immigrant labor.
Let’s break down what happened, why it matters, and how it could change the landscape for small carriers.
The law that has always been there – is now in effect
Federal regulation 49 CFR §391.11(b)(2) is not new. It has been part of FMCSA’s driver qualification standards for decades. The law simply states that a driver must be able to “read and speak English sufficiently to communicate with the general public, understand highway traffic signs and signals, answer official questions, and make reports and records.”
For years, this was a gray area. Enforcement of the rules varied from state to state—in some areas, inspectors rarely asked drivers about language ability, while in others, oral tests were part of the roadside process.
That changed in June 2025, when the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration officially added English proficiency to the North American Out-of-Service Criteria (OOSC) via executive order.
Now, if a driver can’t demonstrate basic English skills during an inspection, they can be taken out of service immediately — meaning the truck is parked until a compliant driver can take over.
The numbers behind the suppression
According to multiple federal sources, about 6,000 commercial drivers have been removed from service since the law took effect this summer. Many were working under valid CDLs issued by states such as California, Illinois and Texas, where immigrant haulers are common.
It came to light after a series of fatal crashes drew attention to gaps in federal law enforcement in the state. One of the most public cases occurred in Florida, when a driver who could not communicate with investigators reportedly made an illegal U-turn that resulted in several deaths.
Federal officials have since pointed to that tragedy as an example of what can happen when language skills are neglected.
But it’s no longer about isolated incidents – it’s about systemic implementation.
Why has the federal government stepped in?
The U.S. Department of Transportation recently announced that it is withholding $40 million in federal safety funding from California over the state’s failure to enforce English proficiency rules during inspections. Of the tens of thousands of roadside inspections reviewed, only one English-related offense was recorded last year.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said this was “not consistent with federal expectations” and enforcement standards should be the same in all states.
California, Washington and New Mexico were each given 30 days to demonstrate compliance or risk further withdrawal of funds from programs such as the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) – which funds inspection programs and enforcement personnel across the country.
The move is the first time the federal government has tied state funding directly to English proficiency enforcement — a signal that the issue is here to stay.
What it means for the industry
The immediate result is simple: fewer drivers in a crowded freight market. But ripple effects are much more complex.
1. Operators with non-English speaking drivers are at risk
Small trucking companies, especially those that employ immigrant drivers, are now in a difficult position. Even if their drivers have valid CDLs, they can still be kicked out of service if they can’t communicate effectively in English.
This means that a driver who has passed all drug tests, has perfect records and clean inspections can suddenly find himself parked – not for a safety violation, but for a conversational barrier.
For the carrier, this means lost cargo, missed delivery windows and potential damage to customer relationships.
2. Insurance and liability exposure only increased
If an accident occurs and language ability is cited as a contributing factor, insurance companies can use that as a reason to deny a claim or increase premiums. Expect insurers to start asking questions about language testing and documentation during renewal.
Companies that can prove they validate English proficiency may soon be seen as lower risk companies – while those that can’t pay for it.
3. Increasing scrutiny on the roadside and in the audit
Inspectors now have the option of assessing basic communication skills at the roadside. If a driver can’t answer simple questions — like where they’re going, what they’re carrying or provide details from their logbook — it can result in an immediate removal from service order.
During compliance reviews, FMCSA investigators may begin reviewing documents that prove a carrier evaluated language ability during hiring or orientation.
Balancing safety with workforce reality
It’s no secret that America’s transportation workforce has changed dramatically over the past two decades.
In major centers like Chicago, Houston, and Los Angeles, entire sub-industries are powered by Serbian, Punjabi, Russian, Latino, and Haitian drivers. Many of these drivers speak limited English, but rely on marine distributors and technology to fill the gap.
The question is no longer whether these drivers are skilled—many of them are behind the wheel—but whether the system they operate in has taken the risk of communication into account.
FMCSA’s position is that safety communications are non-negotiable. In an emergency, during an inspection or in the event of a breakdown, the ability to understand and respond in English is very important.
What can come next?
If the federal rules expand, expect other states to follow California’s scrutiny. This could lead to thousands more drivers being taken off the road next year.
That could reduce available capacity across the country, enough to tighten certain lines and potentially push spot rates higher.
For small operators, the message is clear: documentation, training and compliance must come before convenience.
final thought
Almost 6,000 commercial drivers have already been pulled over – not for speeding, HOS violations or mechanical defects, but because the law has always been there.
The requirement to speak and understand English is not new, but the consequences of ignoring it are.
If you’re a small carrier, this is your moment to tighten up your compliance process. Because when an 80,000-pound truck hits the highway, communication isn’t a priority—it’s a responsibility.
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