Truck Drivers Face New Language Test, Impacting Supply Chains

The U.S. trucking industry, a backbone of the nation’s economy, is navigating turbulent waters. A recent executive order, signed in April 2025 by President Donald Trump, mandates strict English language proficiency for commercial truck drivers. The rule requires drivers who cannot adequately read or speak English to be placed out of service, a move framed as a step toward safer roads. Yet, it has ignited a firestorm of debate, with trucking companies, drivers, and policymakers wrestling over its implications.

This order reverses earlier guidance that had relaxed language requirements, aiming to ensure drivers can communicate effectively and understand road signs, regulations, and safety protocols. The Department of Transportation now faces the task of enforcing compliance, including a review of non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses. For an industry already stretched thin by labor shortages and rising costs, the timing of this change feels like a curveball.

The trucking sector moves roughly 70% of U.S. freight, employing millions and generating billions in economic activity. Any disruption ripples far beyond the highways, affecting everything from grocery shelves to online deliveries. As stakeholders digest the new rule, questions loom about its impact on driver availability, business operations, and the broader supply chain.

The trucking industry was already grappling with a severe driver shortage before the executive order. In 2022, the American Trucking Associations estimated a shortfall of nearly 79,000 drivers, a gap projected to widen without significant intervention. High turnover rates, often exceeding 90% for long-haul drivers, compound the problem, driven by grueling schedules, modest pay, and an aging workforce.

Since 2020, the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse has sidelined over 180,000 drivers, further tightening the labor pool. Efforts to address the shortage include bipartisan legislation offering tax credits for new and existing drivers, expanded training programs, and recruitment drives targeting younger workers. Yet, the industry struggles to attract fresh talent, with many young people viewing trucking as less appealing than tech-driven or flexible gig economy jobs.

The new language proficiency rule adds another layer of complexity. Non-native English speakers, including many immigrant drivers, play a vital role in the workforce. Placing non-compliant drivers out of service could exacerbate shortages, potentially sidelining thousands and increasing pressure on companies already scrambling to fill routes.

Supporters of the executive order argue it’s a necessary step for public safety. Effective communication is critical for drivers navigating complex regulations, interacting with law enforcement, and responding to emergencies. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration estimates that miscommunication contributes to a portion of the 19,000 annual truck-related crashes. Ensuring drivers can understand and convey critical information, they contend, could save lives.

On the other hand, trucking companies and some driver advocates warn of unintended consequences. The industry faces mounting costs from other regulations, like mandates for Automatic Emergency Braking systems and stricter emissions standards. Retrofitting fleets and training drivers to meet these requirements already strains budgets. Adding language proficiency enforcement could further burden small and mid-sized firms, which lack the resources of giants like Amazon or FedEx.

The rule also raises questions about fairness. Some drivers, particularly those from non-English-speaking backgrounds, may face barriers despite years of safe driving. Without clear pathways for language training or exemptions, the policy risks alienating a critical segment of the workforce, potentially driving up costs for businesses and consumers alike.

The timing of the executive order comes as the supply chain recovers from years of disruption. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in logistics networks, with port backlogs and driver shortages delaying goods. While 2025 has brought a rebound, with rising freight rates and better market conditions, the industry remains vulnerable to shocks.

Tighter driver availability could slow deliveries, raise shipping costs, and ripple through to retail prices. Small businesses, already squeezed by inflation and fuel costs, may feel the pinch most acutely. Meanwhile, consumers could see delays or higher prices for everything from groceries to electronics, especially if companies pass on increased operating costs.

Drivers themselves are caught in the crosshairs. Some welcome the rule, seeing it as a way to professionalize the industry and ensure safety. Others feel it unfairly targets non-native speakers, many of whom have driven safely for years. Trucking associations are pushing for clarity on enforcement and support for drivers to meet the new standards, such as subsidized language courses or grace periods for compliance.

Policymakers are also divided. Some advocate for comprehensive workforce reforms, like better pay, benefits, and training to address shortages holistically. Others prioritize deregulation, arguing that easing compliance burdens would give companies more flexibility to hire and retain drivers. Both sides agree the industry needs solutions, but the path forward remains contentious.

The executive order on English proficiency is just one piece of a larger puzzle for the trucking industry. With driver shortages, regulatory pressures, and economic volatility all in play, the sector faces a critical juncture. Balancing safety, business needs, and worker rights will require careful navigation, with stakeholders urging dialogue over division.

For now, the industry braces for change. Trucking companies are reassessing their workforce, drivers are weighing their options, and consumers are left wondering how the ripples will reach them. As the nation’s highways hum with activity, the debate over this new rule underscores a timeless truth: the road to progress is rarely a straight line.