A commercial driver stops at a weigh station, hands over their logbook and is asked basic questions about their route and cargo. They fumble for words, struggle to understand the inspector's questions and cannot read the traffic signs displayed during the assessment. Within minutes, their vehicle is placed out-of-service, their load is stranded and your company faces operational disruption.
This scenario became reality on June 25, 2025, when the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) began strictly enforcing English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements for commercial drivers. Drivers who fail to demonstrate adequate English skills are now immediately placed out-of-service during roadside inspections.
For fleet managers, this enforcement shift represents a critical compliance challenge requiring immediate action. Understanding the new English proficiency requirements and maintaining compliant operations has become essential for avoiding costly disruptions and ensuring the safety of our roads.
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The English proficiency requirement has existed since 1937 under federal regulation 49 CFR ยง 391.11(b)(2). However, enforcement practices changed over the decades, particularly after 2016 when guidance directed inspectors not to place drivers out-of-service solely for ELP violations.
On April 28, 2025, an Executive Order directed the Department of Transportation (DOT) to rescind the 2016 guidance and restore strict enforcement of English proficiency standards. The FMCSA implemented new enforcement guidance on May 20, 2025. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) responded by adding ELP violations to their official Out-of-Service criteria, effective June 25, 2025.
Commercial drivers must now demonstrate the ability to read and understand highway traffic signs and signals in English, communicate effectively with DOT officers and safety officials, respond to official inquiries during roadside inspections and complete required documentation including inspection reports and driver logs.
FMCSA inspectors now use a standardized two-step evaluation process to determine English language proficiency during roadside inspections.
The first step involves a driver interview assessment, where inspectors initiate roadside inspections in English and require drivers to respond in English. They evaluate the driver's ability to understand and respond to questions about trip details and destinations, current duty status and hours of service, vehicle equipment and maintenance, shipping documents and cargo information.
The second step requires highway traffic sign recognition, where drivers must demonstrate they can read and understand common traffic signs. Translation tools, interpreters and smartphone apps are prohibited during this assessment.
When drivers fail to meet the ELP standard, inspectors place them immediately out-of-service. Additionally, inspectors may initiate action to disqualify drivers from operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce.
The new enforcement policy applies nationwide, with specific exemptions and variations. Full enforcement covers all 50 states for interstate commerce and applies to all FMCSA enforcement personnel conducting inspections.
In U.S.-Mexico border commercial zones, drivers receive citations but are not placed out-of-service. The policy does not apply in Puerto Rico, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa.
Hearing-impaired drivers with valid DOT exemptions who can read and write English are also exempt from certain requirements.
The English Language Proficiency requirements serve a critical safety purpose: ensuring commercial drivers can understand road signs, communicate effectively with law enforcement during routine interactions and respond clearly to emergency personnel during incidents. These communication capabilities are essential for safe operations and can be lifesaving when drivers are involved in crashes requiring immediate emergency response.
Non-compliance creates immediate operational challenges that extend far beyond simple citations. When drivers are placed out-of-service, companies must dispatch replacement drivers to recover both equipment and cargo, creating significant vehicle recovery costs. Service disruptions damage customer relationships and operational efficiency, while regulatory exposure may trigger additional scrutiny during audits.
Enforcement activity has intensified significantly since the new requirements took effect. Federal roadside inspections rose 67% in the 90 days following June 25 enforcement, from 4,772 to nearly 8,000 inspections.
Fleet managers operating in high-enforcement areas should prepare for increased inspection activity and adjust their safety and compliance strategies accordingly.
The first step requires assessing your current situation through inventorying drivers who may struggle with English proficiency requirements, reviewing documentation to ensure all drivers have current and compliant qualification files and developing messaging to explain new requirements to your driver population.
Next, focus on training implementation by enrolling drivers in an English Proficiency Requirements course, scheduling internal English proficiency evaluations and creating support systems for drivers needing additional language assistance.
Ongoing monitoring and compliance efforts should track ELP-related citations and out-of-service orders, measure whether training programs effectively reduce violation rates and refine compliance strategies based on emerging enforcement trends.
SambaSafety offers free English Proficiency Requirements training for truck drivers and other regulated employees to better prepare them for the new enforcement landscape.
These courses provide an overview of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation (FMCSR) English language requirements, covering what is required of drivers during an inspection, expected questions, traffic sign recognition and why these rules are in place. These courses also cover the potential penalties for failing these roadside inspections.
Access your free courses below and ensure your drivers are prepared for the new enforcement environment.