‘That’s What I Call Results!’: Trump Admin Saves Jobs, Kicks 1500 Non-English-Speaking Truckers Off the Road
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that approximately 1,500 truck drivers who do not speak English have been removed from the roads as part of renewed enforcement of English language proficiency requirements. These standards were previously suspended in 2016 under the Obama administration but were reinstated by Duffy in May to improve safety. The removal of unqualified drivers occurred within the first 30 days of enforcement. The policy aims to ensure truck drivers can read and understand traffic signs, communicate with authorities, and receive instructions in English to prevent accidents and enhance public safety. this move follows serious incidents involving non-English-speaking truckers contributing to fatal crashes. The administration emphasizes that English proficiency for commercial drivers is a commonsense measure to support safe and efficient transportation.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy revealed that there have been about 1,500 truck drivers who do not speak English taken off the roads as part of a push to ensure foreign truck drivers are not causing accidents.
Back in 2016, the Obama administration stopped enforcing English proficiency requirements for truckers, according to a report from The Daily Signal.
But in May, Duffy issued a guidance making clear that truck drivers who cannot demonstrate a proficiency in English cannot drive.
The 1,500 drivers were taken off the roads within the first 3o days of the rules once more being enforced, according to The Daily Signal.
“Since I took action to enforce language proficiency requirements for truckers, our state partners have put roughly 1,500 unqualified drivers out of service. That’s what I call results!” Duffy posted on X.
“If you can’t read or speak our national language — ENGLISH — we won’t let your truck endanger the driving public.”
He added, “America First=Safety First.”
Since I took action to enforce language proficiency requirements for truckers, our state partners have put roughly 1,500 unqualified drivers out of service. That’s what I call results!
If you can’t read or speak our national language — ENGLISH — we won’t let your truck endanger… https://t.co/TKPcn60ic2
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) July 30, 2025
Duffy’s concerns were far from unfounded.
In January, there was a truck driver involved in a fatal crash that had to use a language interpreter for the post-crash investigation, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Another incident from 2019 involved a truck driver who could not proficiently speak English speeding through signs that warned of steep grades and dangerous curves, all at more than 100 miles per hour.
Four people died in that crash, per the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
President Donald Trump had likewise insisted with an April executive order that the move centered on public safety.
“They should be able to read and understand traffic signs, communicate with traffic safety, border patrol, agricultural checkpoints, and cargo weight-limit station officers,” the order said of truck drivers.
They also “need to provide feedback to their employers and customers and receive related directions in English,” a position the order called “common sense.”
“It is the policy of my Administration to support America’s truckers and safeguard our roadways by enforcing the commonsense English-language requirement for commercial motor vehicle drivers and removing needless regulatory burdens that undermine the working conditions of America’s truck drivers,” the notice added.
“This order will help ensure a safe, secure, and efficient motor carrier industry.”
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