WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday requiring enforcement of existing federal rules mandating that commercial truck drivers be proficient in English, citing safety concerns on U.S. roadways.
The order directs the Secretary of Transportation to rescind previous guidance that Trump administration officials say weakened enforcement of English proficiency standards. It also instructs federal officials to revise out-of-service criteria, allowing inspectors to sideline drivers who do not meet language requirements.
“My Administration will enforce the law to protect the safety of American truckers, drivers, passengers, and others,” the order states. “Anyone behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle must be properly qualified and proficient in our national language, English.”
The White House said the order is intended to ensure drivers can read road signs, understand instructions from safety officers, and communicate at checkpoints and weigh stations. Officials noted a rise in roadway fatalities and pointed to reduced enforcement during the Obama administration as a contributing concern.
The Department of Transportation has also been tasked with reviewing non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses for irregularities and issuing additional regulatory and enforcement actions aimed at improving driver qualifications and road safety.
In a related move, Trump signed a separate order Monday requiring state and federal agencies to publish lists of “sanctuary cities” — jurisdictions that do not fully cooperate with federal immigration authorities. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said these jurisdictions obstruct enforcement efforts.
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