The Human Impact – How English Proficiency Laws Are Changing Careers in Trucking: Part 1

“I know how to drive. I know how to be safe. I just don’t know the words they want on the test.” — Miguel R., a long-haul trucker with 14 years of experience, Dallas, TX

Sikh driver for Massachusetts Trucking Company at home in his cab.

Across the country, thousands of experienced truck drivers are facing an unexpected roadblock—not traffic or fuel prices, but language.

A new wave of English proficiency laws, being rolled out in several states and supported at the federal level, are putting pressure on non-native English-speaking truck drivers to demonstrate verbal and written fluency as a condition for obtaining or renewing their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). While well-intentioned efforts aim to improve safety and standardize communication, the immediate result is a rising level of anxiety and job insecurity among drivers who speak English as a second language.

What's Changing?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has long required drivers to read and speak English “sufficiently to converse with the general public, to understand highway traffic signs and signals, and to respond to official inquiries.” But recent enforcement measures—combined with state-level requirements that expand on federal rules—are now pushing for more formal English testing. Some states are adding interview-style exams, written components, or increasing penalties for miscommunication.

For drivers who learned to navigate U.S. highways with years of experience and minimal English, this feels like the rules are being rewritten.

Roadside English Proficiency Tests enforced across the US.

Who’s Affected?

It’s not just new immigrants. Many non-native English-speaking drivers have been working safely and effectively for years. They’ve built careers, supported families, and adapted to life on the road. Now, with English language standards becoming more rigid, these seasoned professionals find themselves facing an uphill battle—despite clean driving records and years of service.

Languages most commonly spoken by non-native English drivers include Spanish, Punjabi, Russian, Vietnamese, and Haitian Creole. In some states, like California, Texas, and Illinois, these drivers make up a significant portion of the freight workforce.

Real Consequences, Real Drivers

We’ve heard stories of drivers being turned away during CDL renewals because of unclear language policies. Others have been placed on probation or lost job opportunities simply because they couldn’t pass a language test designed with little regard for practical driving scenarios.

This isn’t just inconvenient—it’s destabilizing. At a time when the trucking industry is already short more than 80,000 drivers nationwide, sidelining hardworking, experienced professionals over rigid and subjective language standards could further strain an already burdened supply chain.

With English proficiency dropping at the fastest rate in 20 years in American schools, native speakers also face abandonment of their careers in the industry. Source: manhattan.institute

What’s Next?

In Part 2 of this series, we’ll explore the data: how many drivers could be affected, and what the trucking industry stands to lose. Then, in Part 3, we’ll look at how fleet owners can be part of the solution—ensuring safety without sacrificing equity.

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