Starting June 25, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) will reinstate English language proficiency (ELP) as part of its Out-of-Service Criteria, placing new pressure on fleets to ensure their drivers meet federal communication standards. While English requirements for drivers have existed for decades, this is the first time in 10 years that roadside enforcement will actively assess drivers’ English skills and potentially place them out of service for non-compliance.
Historically, ELP has been part of federal trucking regulations since 1936, but enforcement has varied. The rule was last included in CVSA’s Out-of-Service Criteria in 2005, only to be removed a decade later. In late April 2025, following an executive order from President Trump aimed at improving highway safety, CVSA announced its return to active enforcement of ELP, and U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy directed the FMCSA to resume assessments during roadside inspections.
According to FMCSA’s guidance, roadside inspections will now begin in English. If the officer suspects the driver cannot understand or communicate adequately, a formal assessment will follow. This assessment includes a spoken interview and, if needed, a sign recognition test. If the driver fails both parts, they can be cited and placed out of service.
While the official assessment criteria remain undisclosed, current federal rules (49 CFR 391.11) require drivers to speak and read English well enough to converse with the public, understand road signs, answer official questions, and make entries on records.
This regulatory shift carries serious implications for motor carriers. Failing to comply could result in delayed deliveries, costly citations, damaged goods—particularly for perishable items—and strained client relationships. Smaller carriers with limited resources and higher numbers of immigrant drivers may be hit the hardest.
To prepare, carriers should act now by reviewing and updating their hiring and driver qualification processes. Legal experts like Steven Moore of Fox Rothschild LLP recommend integrating English assessments into the hiring process while ensuring these procedures do not violate civil rights laws. For example, employers must avoid setting unnecessary English-only policies or discriminating based on accents.
Fleets may consider providing English language tutoring or working with third-party vendors to help existing drivers meet the standard. Whatever approach they take, it’s essential that carriers balance safety, compliance, and legal fairness.
Ultimately, the return of ELP enforcement demands proactive planning. Ensuring all drivers meet English standards before June 25 will reduce risk, avoid service disruptions, and keep fleets running efficiently on the road.
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