WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than 7,000 commercial truck drivers have been placed out of service in 2025 for failing to meet federal English Language Proficiency (ELP) standards, according to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

Duffy announced the figures on October 30, citing new federal data showing that 7,248 drivers have been sidelined so far this year for English-related violations.

“The U.S. Department of Transportation requires commercial truck drivers to speak and understand English to operate a big rig — or they will be taken out of service,” Duffy said.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) database, 5,006 ELP out-of-service violations were recorded in roadside inspections nationwide, with the number continuing to rise as enforcement ramps up.

The renewed focus on ELP enforcement follows a White House Executive Order issued earlier this year, which reinstated English proficiency as an official out-of-service violation after being relaxed in 2016. The order directed stricter enforcement to ensure that drivers can read and speak English well enough to understand traffic signs, converse with officers, and complete required reports.

The push comes in the wake of several high-profile crashes involving foreign truck drivers, including an August 2025 Florida Turnpike crash that killed three people and raised concerns over language barriers in CDL testing and compliance.

Federal officials say the new enforcement is part of a broader campaign to improve road safety and accountability within the trucking industry.

📸 Image(s) used under fair use for news reporting.