US Secretary of Transport Responds to President’s Executive Order on English Proficiency and Trucking

(TORONTO, May 22, 2025) — U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Secretary Sean P. Duffy signed an order this week announcing new guidelines regarding enforcement of English language proficiency for commercial truck operators when operating in the United States. 

Under the new guidance, commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers who fail to comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) longstanding English-language proficiency (ELP) requirements will be issued a citation; placed out-of-service when the CVSA driver out-of-service criteria go into effect June 25th; and could potentially have their drivers licenses disqualified when warranted and will no longer be able to use technological assistance to comply with English language requirements. The policy announcement was prompted by a recent Presidential Executive Order.

An Internal Agency Enforcement Policy issued May 20 by FMCSA’s Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety outlined the enforcement guidelines. However, more clarity is needed from enforcement officials on how long a driver will be out-of-service for, and, if an action is initiated to disqualify a driver’s licence associated with English proficiency, how it will still only be applied in the event of a fatal collision or its scope expanded in future changes to the regulations.

Equally important, CTA and provincial associations will also need to understand how the prohibition of using communication support technology and tools to comply with English language requirements could impact drivers and fleets. 

“The Canadian industry needs to determine how the current use of technology to interact with enforcement officials in English will be impacted,” said CTA CEO and President Stephen Laskowski. “This will be critical in determining how the evolution of this enforcement policy applies to the long-standing English-language proficiency (ELP) requirements.” 

To assist CTA in this fact-finding effort, please click here to complete a short survey. All impacted CTA member organizations are strongly encouraged to provide input to this process as soon as possible.

CTA will also be working with US enforcement officials and members to understand the rationale for excluding technology to comply with the law; how a driver can return to compliance, and all associated logistics and details with respect to a CDL disqualification.

What was not included in yesterday’s announcement was how Secretary Duffy was going to respond to President Trump’s request – also contained in the same executive order – to deal with fraudulent CDLs and general truck safety concerns.

“CTA believes evolving technology and how the industry and the enforcement community interact with US enforcement officials at roadside and the border holds potential solutions to improving road safety and compliance for shipments, vehicles and drivers,” said Laskowski. “Industry and enforcement officials on both sides of the border need to work together to develop modern compliance options that will allow fleets and their drivers who are committed to safety and security to thrive in an evolving enforcement environment.”