Truck Drivers Using Proficient English

Lyndi Allen
May 1, 2025

​​​​​​​An executive order made by President Trump on Monday will mandate commercial truck drivers to demonstrate proficiency in speaking English. This mandate aligns with President Trump’s goals to make English the official language of the United States.


The order directs the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to update procedures verifying that commercial driver’s license (CDL) recipients have proficient English-speaking skills. The drivers that violate English speaking proficiency rules will be placed out of service.


According to the Trump administration’s executive order, Trump’s intentions are to strengthen the safety requirements. They continue by stating that professional drivers should be able to read and understand road signs, communicate with traffic officers, border patrol, agricultural checkpoints, weigh station personnel, and be able to provide, receive, and give directions in English.


This mandate may affect the drivers that work on Illinois farms or for corn farmers. IL Corn will continue to monitor the changes that come with this mandate, along with sharing resources resulting from these changes.

Justin Moore headshot
By Tara Desmond July 23, 2025
Meet Justin Moore a staff member at IL Corn.
washington dc photo
By Lindsay Croke July 17, 2025
“If such language is included in the policy recommendations, it could significantly hamper the work of America’s farmers and raise prices on consumers without providing any additional layer of safety for the American public,” the letter said. “If the pesticides in the original report were to disappear completely, crop
FFA students at USDA
By Lyndi Allen July 17, 2025
IL Corn leaders met with lawmakers in Washington, D.C. to discuss key ag priorities like trade, conservation, ethanol, and lock and dam infrastructure, while mentoring the next generation of advocates from Illinois FFA.
corn
By Lydia Rogers July 14, 2025
Debunking Myths
headshot of Shelby Watson
By Tara Desmond July 14, 2025
We recently caught up with Shelby Watson following the announcement of her promotion to Director, The Americas & Allied Industry Programs at USAPEEC. In her expanded role, Shelby is taking on new responsibilities across Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.
Crops destroyed by storm
By Lyndi Allen July 10, 2025
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the new Supplemental Disaster Relief Program, providing assistance to farmers with crop losses due to natural disasters in 2023 and 2024.
Show More