The White House issued an executive order on April 28, 2025 titled “Enforcing Commonsense Rules of the Road For America’s Truck Drivers.” This order strengthened the enforcement of the federal rule that drivers must be able to proficiently read, speak, and understand English in order to get and maintain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).

The order focuses on trucking safety in the United States, stating that enforcing English proficiency, “should be a non-negotiable safety requirement for professional drivers.”

This article will discuss what this means for commercial trucking companies and drivers, how it impacts truck accident cases, and more. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, our law firm is here to help you get the justice and compensation you deserve. Reach out to our team today to learn more.

What Does This Executive Order Do?

This rule is designed as a safety measure, ensuring that all truck drivers can read and understand traffic signs; communicate with traffic safety, cargo weigh-limit station officers, and other station officers; provide feedback to employers and customers; receive related directions in English; make entries on reports and records; and more.

Here are the main takeaways of the new order:

  1. English proficiency is not a new requirement, but more emphasis is being placed on enforcing it.
  2. Drivers who can’t proficiently read or speak English may be put out of service (OOS) immediately.
  3. The DOT will be auditing each state’s process for issuing CDLs, especially for non-US drivers.

The History of English Proficiency For Commercial Drivers

English proficiency for commercial drivers has been a requirement since 1936. Up until 2007, violating the federal code did not result in an out-of-service order. An Out-of-Service (OOS) order for a CDL is like a required “timeout” due to serious safety violations to help prevent accidents from happening.

In 2007, inspectors were required to confirm a driver’s ability to communicate sufficiently in English through driver interviews. If the driver failed the interview, they would be placed OOS. 

In 2016, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (through MC-ECE-2016-006) removed the requirement to place drivers out-of-service for failing the interview and removed the formal driver interviews during roadside inspections. At this point, drivers were allowed to use interpreters, cue cards, smart phone applications, and other resources to assist in their communication with inspectors.

The 2025 order will revert the policy back to the 2007 out-of-service standard. If the inspector’s initial contact with the driver suggests that they may not understand their initial instructions, they are to conduct an English language assessment as part of the roadside inspection. During that assessment, no tools can be used to assist the driver. If they fail that assessment, they are to be placed OOS.

What This Means For Trucking Companies

Federal regulators will now expect trucking companies, also known as carriers, to ensure their drivers meet the minimum proficiency needed to read road signs, effectively interact with law enforcement, complete required documentation, and more. 

For trucking companies, this new order means:

1. Immediate Out-of-Service (OOS) Penalties

OOS penalties have severe consequences for both trucking companies and drivers. Notably, OOS orders can result in carrier fines ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars. OOS penalties can also result in CDL suspensions, operational disruptions, and be used as critical evidence in personal injury lawsuits.

2. Impact on CSA Scores

Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) scores are a rating system led by the FMCSA that measures a truck carrier’s safety performance using data from inspections, crashes, and traffic stops. OOS violations can greatly hurt CSA scores.

3. Financial and Legal Risks

This new rule affects negligence in legal claims, as drivers who cannot understand English, read signage, or proficiently communicate with law enforcement are not legally allowed to operate commercial vehicles.

Now that English proficiency is a legal safety standard, if an accident occurs and the driver cannot speak English, they are legally unqualified to operate a commercial vehicle. This would also mean that the trucking company failed to adhere to safety standards by hiring/using the driver. In addition, this negligence can be argued as reckless and illegal behavior, opening up the door for punitive damages in personal injury lawsuits.

What This Means for Truck Accident Law

This new rule will not only impact commercial truck drivers and trucking companies, it can also help accident victims and their loved ones seek closure and fair compensation following truck accidents involving companies who employ unqualified drivers.  

Accountability – 

With decades of combined experience litigating truck accident cases, we’ve seen firsthand how trucking companies attempt to place blame on their drivers instead of taking accountability for their role in the accident. Now, trucking companies can no longer place the blame simply on driver error, as they will be held liable for safety violations if a non-English speaking driver causes an accident.

Clarity – 

With this rule, CSA scores and OOS records can help strengthen truck accident claims, providing critical evidence into a trucking company’s history.

Safety – 

Now that English proficiency is a legal requirement, the hope is that trucking companies will better prioritize safety internally and that there will be less accidents on the road involving commercial vehicles.

Compensation –

This rule can make proving liability more clear, while also allowing accident victims and their legal teams to hold powerful trucking companies responsible for accidents and resulting damages.

Speak With a Reputable Truck Accident Attorney Today

Violating FMCSA rules, including English proficiency requirements, is illegal. When a failure to follow these rules contributes to a collision, you need an experienced and trusted truck accident lawyer on your side who understands federal and state laws regulating the trucking industry and will aggressively fight for you.

At Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC, we’ve recovered millions of dollars in compensation for clients who have been impacted by truck accidents. We are here to answer any questions you may have and fight to get you the best outcome possible for your case and future.

Learn more or get started with a free case evaluation directly with a seasoned truck accident attorney by calling (803) 888-2200. The other side can afford to hire the best – who you hire matters. Protect your rights today.

Disclaimer: This article is presented for informational purposes only and is not legal advice.

Author – J. Eric Cavanaugh

J. Eric CavanaughI’m Eric Cavanaugh, and I am a partner and personal injury attorney here at Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC. My practice primarily focuses on trucking and car accidents, representing victims and their loved ones across the State of South Carolina.

I care deeply about people and making sure every one of our clients gets the care and compensation they deserve physically, financially, and emotionally.

Seeing the impact that serious accidents have on people never gets easier, but I feel a great sense of pride in being able to get people the justice they deserve and providing hope in what’s often a very difficult time in their lives.

I’m committed to ensuring that people know their rights and that those rights are protected at all times throughout their case and beyond; and I’m passionate about fighting to make South Carolina roads safer for residents and visitors.

If you have any questions about what was covered in this article, in general, or are interested in becoming a client at Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC, give us a call.