A video released by Fox News captures the moment when a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) officer removed a Cuban truck driver from service because he couldn't understand basic traffic signs or communicate in English during a roadside inspection.
In the footage, the officer is seen showing the driver a right exit sign and asking what it means. The Cuban driver nervously replies in Spanish, "exit, right exit."
When asked if he could say that in English, his response was negative.
Later, when the officer inquired about his English proficiency, the Cuban driver admitted, "I understand a little, just a bit."
When questioned about the meaning of another sign and what he should do if he encountered it, he answered, "no, no."
The driver defended himself in Spanish, stating that he had been a trucker for 40 years, since his time in Cuba.
However, unable to comprehend and answer the questions effectively, the FDOT officer was straightforward:
"If you don't speak enough English to operate a commercial vehicle, and you don't have adequate knowledge of the signs, you will be put out of service right now."
During the same operation, Florida troopers revealed to Fox News a staggering statistic: nearly 50% of truckers stopped on a major state highway do not speak English.
This operation aligns with Trump's executive order on English for truckers that took effect on June 25, 2025.
The measure reinstated the strict enforcement of federal law 49 CFR § 391.11, which has long mandated that commercial drivers must be proficient in reading and speaking English.
This regulation had been weakened in 2016 under the Obama administration, allowing drivers with language deficiencies to receive only a judicial citation without being removed from service.
Trump's order reversed that directive and explicitly prohibits the use of interpreters, reference cards, or translation apps during evaluations since last year.
The political trigger for this action was a fatal accident on the Florida Turnpike on August 12, 2025, when Harjinder Singh, a 28-year-old undocumented Indian trucker, made an illegal U-turn in a restricted area, resulting in three fatalities.
Singh, who did not speak English, correctly answered only two out of twelve verbal questions and one of four traffic signs in post-accident examinations.
Florida has required license exams in English only since February 6, 2026, including commercial driver's licenses (CDL).
Nationally, the FMCSA has removed about 9,500 truckers from service so far in 2026 for failing to meet English requirements.
This measure hits the Cuban community particularly hard, as it's estimated that between 20,000 and 25,000 Cuban-origin truckers are active in the United States, primarily in South Florida, many with limited language proficiency.
Understanding English Requirements for Truckers in the U.S.
What is the federal law regarding English proficiency for commercial drivers?
Federal law 49 CFR § 391.11 mandates that commercial drivers must be able to read and speak English sufficiently to understand road signs and communicate effectively.
How has the enforcement of this law changed over the years?
The enforcement was relaxed in 2016 under the Obama administration, allowing leniency for drivers with language deficiencies. However, Trump's 2025 executive order reinstated strict enforcement, prohibiting the use of interpreters and translation aids during evaluations.
Why is this measure particularly impactful for the Cuban trucking community?
The measure significantly affects the Cuban trucking community because a large proportion of Cuban-origin truckers in the U.S., especially in South Florida, have limited English proficiency.