Trump to require truck drivers to speak English, pass literacy tests as ‘communication problems’ mount: WH

President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order mandating English literacy tests for truck drivers in a move aimed at enhancing road safety, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced. The order will require the Department of Transportation to implement these tests, citing communication issues between truckers and officials as a significant public safety concern.

Leavitt emphasized the importance of ensuring that truckers, who play a vital role in the economy, are proficient in English to mitigate risks on the road. The executive order is expected to be signed later in the day.

The decision comes amid reports of a growing number of foreign-born truck drivers in the U.S., a trend that experts attribute to policy changes under previous administrations. Former President Barack Obama’s administration halted the enforcement of an English requirement for drivers in 2016, while the Biden-Harris administration’s initiatives have led to an increase in foreign-born truckers in the country.

President Trump has shown support for truckers, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, praising their efforts in delivering essential goods. He previously hailed American truckers as the “foot soldiers” of the nation.

This latest executive order is part of Trump’s ongoing focus on the English language. In a separate order issued earlier this year, he declared English as the official language of the U.S., emphasizing the importance of a unified society with a common language.

The new directive revokes a previous executive order by former President Bill Clinton that aimed to provide language assistance to non-English speakers. Trump’s administration believes that a nationally designated language strengthens the country’s cohesion.

Truckers and industry experts have expressed optimism about the administration’s efforts to address language proficiency among drivers, highlighting the importance of clear communication on the roads. The move is seen as a step towards bolstering safety and efficiency in the trucking industry.

As President Trump continues to prioritize language requirements for various sectors, his administration remains committed to policies that promote national unity and effective communication. The executive order on English literacy tests for truck drivers underscores the administration’s focus on public safety and regulatory compliance in the transportation sector.