Federal rules have always said commercial drivers must read and speak English well enough to talk with officers, read road signs and fill out reports. What changed in 2025 is enforcement.
What changed
After a presidential executive order in 2025, roadside inspectors began placing drivers out of service immediately if they fail an English language proficiency evaluation. By the end of 2025, inspectors had sidelined roughly 10,000 drivers this way, according to industry reporting. English proficiency also appeared for the first time on ATRI's list of the industry's top concerns.
How the roadside check works
Officers typically talk with the driver during an inspection: asking about the trip, the cargo, hours of service, and asking the driver to read and explain road signs. If the driver cannot understand and answer, the officer can put them out of service. The truck does not move until another qualified driver arrives.
What carriers do now
Most carriers we work with now check English during the phone interview and at orientation. Expect questions like:
- Explain your last load and route.
- Read a sentence or a road sign out loud.
- Describe what you would do if your truck broke down.
If English is your second language
- Practice explaining your daily work out loud: pre-trip, logs, deliveries, problems.
- Learn the words on common road signs and inspection forms.
- Be honest with your recruiter. A carrier that tests you at orientation will find out anyway, and an honest conversation saves you a wasted trip.
We do not decide who meets the standard. Carriers and officers do. Our job is to make sure you only apply where you will be hired.
Source: TruckersReport: regulatory changes to watch in 2026
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