Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Tuesday reiterated the Trump administration’s push to enforce stricter English proficiency standards for commercial truck drivers.
Duffy’s comments followed a report from California about an Indian man who had worked as a truck driver but can no longer do so due to new regulations. These rules have made it harder for individuals without a permanent address to obtain Commercial Learner’s Permits (CLPs) and Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs).
The Department of Transportation (DOT) criticized California for what they described as “gross negligence,” noting that over 25% of CDLs issued to noncitizens or those without permanent residency were improperly approved.
In the news piece, the truck driver spoke in his native language instead of English.
Duffy remarked, “Crocodile tears for a man who spent 10 years in our country and couldn’t bring himself to learn our language. Our new rules will keep you and your family safe on America’s roads!”
The DOT added its thoughts on the matter, stating, “While this driver has lived in the United States for 10 years, he does not have sufficient English proficiency to qualify for a truck driver’s license.” They emphasized the importance of understanding English for anyone wanting to drive on American roads.
The Senate recently proposed a bill that would require new truck drivers to prove basic English proficiency before being issued a CDL. This proposal builds on an executive order from President Trump that enforced similar language mandates.
Introduced by Senator Cynthia Lummis from Wyoming, the bill outlines standards that include the ability to communicate with the public in English, comprehend highway signs and lights, answer official inquiries, and complete necessary reports.
This issue drew attention last month after an illegal immigrant truck driver was involved in a deadly crash in Florida, sparking questions about his English skills. The Department of Transportation noted that he had failed an English Language Proficiency assessment, correctly answering only two out of 12 questions and identifying just one out of four traffic signs.
