Trump Signs Strict English Rule for Truck Drivers

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order requiring all commercial truck drivers in the United States to demonstrate proficiency in English, reinstating and strictly enforcing federal regulations. The order directs the Department of Transportation to implement English literacy testing and mandates that noncompliant drivers be placed 'out-of-service' until they meet proficiency standards. Supporters, including industry groups and lawmakers, argue that English proficiency is crucial for public safety and national security, particularly for reading road signs and communicating with officials. Critics warn the policy could disproportionately affect immigrant and minority communities, including Sikh-American truckers, and worsen the ongoing driver shortage. The order revokes Obama-era guidance that had relaxed enforcement of these rules, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy promising immediate implementation. This action is part of Trump's wider effort to designate English as the official national language and tighten language-related regulations.