Truckers Now Required to Speak English Under Trump Order: What This Means for U.S. Roads

Starting Wednesday, June 25, President Trump's executive order mandating that commercial truck drivers demonstrate English proficiency takes effect. While federal law has long required this, the directive intensifies its enforcement. Drivers failing a language test may face immediate suspension, losing pay and impacting their employers.

This move has sparked concern and division, particularly within the Hispanic and Cuban American trucking communities, who form a significant part of the workforce in this sector.

Reviving a Long-Ignored Requirement

The presidential decree instructs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to rigorously enforce existing federal regulations, which require commercial vehicle operators to "read and speak English sufficiently to converse with the public, understand traffic signs, respond to official inquiries, and fill out reports in English." The Trump administration contends that lax enforcement has compromised road safety.

The order emphasizes practical measures, compelling the DOT to conduct stricter inspections to ascertain drivers' English comprehension. It bans any form of language assistance during evaluations, such as interpreters or translation apps. "A driver who cannot understand English will not operate a commercial vehicle in this country. Period," stated Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy.

Implementation of the Directive

Traffic officers can halt a truck for minor infractions or routine checks. If they suspect inadequate English skills, they can administer an on-the-spot test, including:

• A direct verbal interview.
• Recognition of traffic signs and electronic boards.
• Questions about shipping documents and destinations.

Drivers failing this assessment face immediate suspension. Both the driver and employer must address the violation before resuming operations. Although no official guidelines define "sufficient" English, the DOT grants inspectors discretion to judge a driver's minimum competence for road safety.

This regulatory reinforcement overturns Obama-era policies. In 2016, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) allowed citation for English deficiencies but did not permit work suspension. Under Trump, immediate out-of-service status is reinstated as a penalty.

Road Safety as a Central Argument

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt argued in April that "communication problems" pose a growing road hazard, making English fluency a "common sense" policy. "We will ensure all our truckers, the backbone of the economy, speak English," she declared in a press briefing.

The order also mandates a review of the commercial driver's license issuance process, particularly for non-resident drivers, to identify any irregularities or administrative errors. It aligns with Trump's recent national identity initiatives, including declaring English as the official U.S. language in March, reinforcing his immigration and security policies' symbolic dimension.

Industry Reaction and Practical Implications

The transportation industry swiftly responded. Todd Spencer, president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, warned that excessive or arbitrary enforcement could jeopardize national logistics efficiency. "We have bridges hit because drivers don't understand height signs," he said, noting both language-related accidents and the new evaluation protocols' ambiguity and discrimination risks.

Spencer emphasized that many truckers rely on technology as a communication aid, now prohibited. "With this new policy, if you don't speak English, you're out," he commented, highlighting the profound impact on entire communities.

Case Spotlight: Rogel Lázaro Aguilera-Mederos

The case of Cuban trucker Rogel Lázaro Aguilera-Mederos has resurfaced as a poignant example of the stakes involved when language barriers lead to catastrophic outcomes. Aguilera-Mederos, who required an interpreter during his trial, received a 110-year sentence for a fatal 2019 Colorado accident, later reduced after public outcry. His employer had been previously cited for employing drivers with language deficiencies, contributing to a series of fatal errors.

Supporters and critics of the new order reference this case: for some, it underscores the language requirement's necessity; for others, it reveals how structural support deficits and linguistic inequality can lead to severe legal injustices.

Impact on Cuban American Truckers

The Cuban American community is notably affected by this measure. An estimated 20,000 to 25,000 Cuban-origin truckers work in the U.S., primarily in Florida, where Spanish prevails in many logistics operations. Success stories like Rachel Rubio's, a young Cuban trucker who achieved financial independence, contrast with those now fearing job insecurity due to inadequate English skills.

Many truckers have made their truck cabs their homes, symbols of freedom and progress. The new language requirement threatens to disrupt these trajectories, especially in immigrant communities utilizing transportation as a social mobility avenue.

Truckers' Perspectives: Support and Opposition

The debate not only divides government and industry but also truckers themselves. On social media, Cuban Daniel Palacios, a former journalist turned trucker, supported the measure from personal experience. "It's tough if you don't speak English doing this. You see truckers who don't know English going where they shouldn't, causing chaos," he explained.

Palacios criticized the perceived selective political response: "They never cared about truckers, but now defend them because it's convenient to attack Trump."

Conversely, veteran trucker Russell Rocha told CBS News Miami he supported the rule: "If you can't read or understand a sign, that's dangerous; it could affect us all."

But Yoman Rivera, with 15 years of Miami experience, disagreed. "It's a terrible law," he said, noting that despite his language struggles, he never faced issues understanding signage or communicating with officers.

Logistical and Economic Consequences

The impact could reach beyond drivers. Experts like Rigo Díaz, president of Simplex Group, a road safety organization, warn of collateral effects: "It will create a transportation crisis. You can have a driver who doesn't master English but is a safe, professional driver."

Díaz points out that 70,000 industry vacancies remain unfilled. Excluding thousands more could exacerbate supply chain delays, impacting consumers and businesses alike.

Other truckers interviewed by Telemundo 51 echoed this concern. Miguel Campos was blunt: "It will impact, no doubt." Hermes Durán cautioned: "It will bring problems," especially for those who understand operational essentials but lack conversational fluency.

The National Truckers Association openly criticized the measure, denouncing the "false" narrative of foreign trucker invasions threatening road safety. It accused the government of manipulating statistics to justify an anti-immigrant political agenda.

However, the White House insists its sole motivation is protecting American families and strengthening national security. Trump recently reiterated that English proficiency is a "non-negotiable safety requirement."