President Donald Trump’s executive order regarding English-proficiency requirements is one step closer to being made into law by Congress.
On Thursday, Jan. 22, the House voted 341-88 to advance HR7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which includes funding for the Department of Transportation.
While a significant provision in the funding bill would dedicate $200 million toward the creation of public truck parking, the 771-page legislation would also ensure that the current administration’s stance on English proficiency for commercial drivers couldn’t be easily flipped by a future president.
On page 553 of the bill, it states that:
The Secretary shall update the Department’s regulations to ensure that non-compliance with section 391.11(b)(2) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, triggers an out-of-service order.
On April 28, 2025, Trump issued an executive order to enforce existing federal rules that require commercial vehicle drivers to “read and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, to understand highway traffic signs and signals in the English language, to respond to official inquiries and to make entries on reports and records.”
The following month, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced in Austin, Texas, that the U.S. Department of Transportation would begin enforcing English-proficiency regulations and take violators out of service.
OOIDA President Todd Spencer, who attended the May 2025 event in Austin, applauded efforts to ensure that all truck drivers are capable of doing their job safely, including possessing a basic level of English proficiency.
“Nobody cares about road safety more than professional truck drivers,” Spencer said. “That’s why the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association and truckers across America strongly support Congress’ actions to sideline drivers who fail to demonstrate English proficiency.”
“It’s common sense that truck drivers should demonstrate they can read critical road signs before getting behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound vehicle on public roadways,” Spencer added. “In addition to reading road signs, professional truckers routinely communicate with law enforcement and first responders in order to do their jobs safely and effectively. OOIDA has long advocated for stronger driver training standards, and we appreciate this legislative action to make our roads safer for our members and the motoring public.”
The Senate is expected to vote on the overall appropriations bill next week. LL
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