Truck Drivers in Florida Respond to English Language Requirement: "It's Going to Have an Impact"

A fresh executive order signed by President Donald Trump has sparked a heated discussion within the transportation industry. The mandate requires all commercial vehicle drivers in the United States to demonstrate proficiency in the English language to continue working. This measure does not introduce a new requirement but enforces an existing federal regulation that demands commercial drivers read and speak English. The White House claims previous administrations neglected to enforce this rule, potentially compromising road safety across the nation.

The directive tasks the Department of Transportation with implementing a language test to assess drivers' abilities to read traffic signs and communicate with road safety officers, Border Patrol, and agricultural checkpoints. Drivers who fail this test risk being removed from their positions. Additionally, the order calls for a review of state-issued commercial licenses to identify any irregularities or unusual patterns.

Mixed Reactions Among Florida Truckers

The policy has elicited varied responses from truck drivers in South Florida. In an interview with CBS News Miami, Russell Rocha, a driver with 17 years of experience, expressed his approval of the initiative: "If you can't read or understand a sign, that's dangerous; it could affect us all." Conversely, some transporters perceive the regulation as an unwarranted threat. Yoman Rivera, a Miami-based trucker with 15 years in the field, criticized the rule as "terrible," arguing that despite his language limitations, he has never struggled with sign comprehension or communication with officers.

Sherry Fairchild, a driver for six years, pointed out the uncertainty surrounding the number of workers who might be forced to leave the industry. "It depends on how many people are affected and how many decide to leave because of this," she remarked. Rivera also warned of repercussions for consumers: "The consumer is the one who will suffer," he said, anticipating delivery delays if driver availability decreases. Rocha agreed that significant disruptions in supply chains could occur.

Telemundo 51 spoke with other truckers who expressed concerns about the rule's impact. Miguel Campos stated, "It's going to have an impact." Hermes Durán noted that "it will bring problems," particularly for those who lack fluency in English but understand enough to operate safely. Rigo Díaz, a road safety expert and president of consulting firm Simplex Group, told the media, "It will create a transportation crisis." He estimated that there are currently 70,000 vacancies in the industry that remain unfilled, arguing that linking road safety to language proficiency is misguided: "You can have a driver who doesn't speak English fluently but is a safe and professional driver."

Impact on the Cuban-American Community

The Cuban-American community could be among the hardest hit. It's estimated that between 20,000 and 25,000 Cuban-origin truck drivers are active in the United States, many of whom have limited English proficiency. The requirement to pass an official test could pose an additional hurdle to their job stability.

One case that has been referenced is that of Rogel Lázaro Aguilera-Mederos, a Cuban trucker convicted after a fatal accident in Colorado in 2019. Aguilera-Mederos required an interpreter during his trial, and his company had been penalized for employing drivers without sufficient language skills.

Federal Strategy Contradictions

The executive order also highlights a contradiction in the Trump administration's transportation policy. While promoting the development of autonomous vehicles and easing regulations for their implementation, it simultaneously tightens requirements for human drivers, potentially complicating the technological transition.

The industry now faces a period of uncertainty, where thousands of drivers, especially immigrants with limited language skills, could see their future in a crucial economic sector threatened.