Assessing Drivers' English Language Proficiency (ELP)

In response to a directive from the Trump administration, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a new enforcement policy aimed at ensuring commercial truck and bus drivers are able to read and speak English.

The internal policy, issued May 20, 2025, is now in effect. It includes guidance for how roadside enforcement personnel should enforce the English language proficiency requirements in 49 CFR 391.11(b)(2).

Here’s what you need to know:

• The basic driver qualification standard in 391.11(b)(2) requiring drivers to read and speak English has not changed.
  
• Carriers must assess drivers prior to hire for their ability to read and speak English sufficient to converse with enforcement and understand highway road signs.
• The interview process, including highway sign recognition, can be used as part of the assessment, but there is no proof of ELP required in the driver qualification (DQ) file by FMCSA.
• Effective June 25, 2025, enforcement can place a driver out of service if unable to prove English language proficiency.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations in 391.11(b)(2) state that commercial drivers must be able to “read and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, to understand highway traffic signs and signals in the English language, to respond to official inquiries, and to make entries on reports and records.” This basic driver qualification requirement has not changed. However, roadside enforcement policy has become more strict.

To ensure drivers can respond to queries in English and avoid being put out of service, carriers should review their:

• Hiring policies,
• Hiring processes, and
• Driver training.