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.

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