U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that more than 9,500 commercial truck drivers have been removed from the road this year after failing federally mandated English-language proficiency checks, as part of a significant enforcement initiative under the Trump administration.
Duffy revealed the figure in a December 10 post on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “We’ve now knocked 9,500 truck drivers out of service for failing to speak our national language—ENGLISH!” He added that the Trump administration “will always put you and your family’s safety first.”
The policy began with directives issued in May 2025, requiring commercial drivers to read road signage, communicate effectively with law enforcement, and understand safety instructions during inspections. Federal officials report thousands of unqualified drivers have already been removed through roadside assessments under the renewed standards.
The crackdown intensified following several fatal crashes involving foreign drivers who allegedly failed English tests or obtained licenses through improper channels. A widely publicized incident involved a truck driver who made an illegal U-turn, resulting in three deaths and amplifying scrutiny of state licensing systems and federal oversight.
Duffy warned that states risk losing federal highway safety funds if they fail to enforce English-language and licensing requirements. California has been singled out by federal audits for extensive noncompliance in issuing commercial driver’s licenses, with officials signaling potential tens of millions in lost funding if deficiencies are not addressed.
The enforcement effort extends beyond language proficiency. Federal regulators recently removed nearly 3,000 truck driver training schools from the national registry for failing to meet training and compliance standards, while thousands more face warnings about losing certification. Duffy characterized these actions as necessary to combat “illegal and reckless practices” that allow inadequately trained drivers onto public roads.
Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security has highlighted connections between immigration enforcement and trucking safety. In recent operations, federal authorities arrested 146 individuals accused of operating commercial trucks without proper documentation. Officials cited crashes involving migrant drivers, including one incident where an illegal immigrant driver failed to control his vehicle, resulting in fatalities for American newlyweds.
