New FMCSA English Proficiency Enforcement Begins June 25, 2025

What You Need to Know as a Commercial Driver

Starting June 25, 2025, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will begin strictly enforcing the English language proficiency requirement for all commercial drivers operating in the United States. This change is based on an update to the enforcement policy related to an existing federal regulation: 49 CFR § 391.11(b)(2).

🔍 What Does the Law Require?

Under this regulation, all commercial drivers must be able to:

• Read and speak English well enough to converse with the general public.

• Understand traffic signs and signals in English.

• Respond to official inquiries, such as from law enforcement or inspectors.

• Make entries on reports and records, such as logs or inspection documents.

While this has been a long-standing requirement, enforcement has previously varied from state to state and inspector to inspector. That’s changing.

🛑 What’s Changing on June 25?

The FMCSA will now require a standardized two-part English proficiency assessment during routine roadside inspections:

1.

Conversational English Interview

Inspectors will initiate a basic conversation with the driver. No interpreters, cue cards, or translation devices (including apps) will be allowed. The driver must be able to answer questions clearly in English.

2.

Traffic Sign Comprehension Test

If the driver passes the first step, they’ll be asked to interpret standard U.S. road signs and digital message boards.

If a driver fails either step, they may be issued a citation or be placed out of service immediately.

🚛 What This Means for Drivers

• There is no new law—this is a change in enforcement of an existing requirement.

• Drivers who cannot demonstrate English proficiency during an inspection may be subject to immediate out-of-service orders.

• The rule applies to all commercial drivers operating in the U.S., regardless of their primary language.

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