How Drivers and Schools Are Adapting to New English Proficiency Rules

English enforcement is ramping up and the trucking industry is already adjusting, both on the road and in the classroom.

On June 25, the FMCSA begins its enforcement of stricter English Language Proficiency (ELP) standards. Under President Trump’s executive order, drivers who cannot adequately speak and read English face immediate out-of-service orders.

This policy change is not new in concept, with the new federal law requiring truckers to understand English, but the enforcement power is. Now, inspectors can issue an out-of-service violation for ELP failures, and the impact is rippling across driver training centers, carrier operations, and capacity planning.

Trucking Schools React Quickly to Keep Students Compliant

From Detroit to New Jersey, driving schools are overhauling their programs to ensure students meet the ELP requirements:

• Printed scripts and English drills are now standard, helping students practice phrases needed during inspections.
• ESL classes are being offered on weekends, particularly in cities like Laredo, where bilingual communication is common.
• Instructional videos, language apps, and phrasebooks are replacing music playlists in the cabs of student drivers.

“We’ve had to adjust everything—classroom work, inspections, even road training,” said Jonathan Marques, founder of a training school in Linden, NJ. “Multilingual instructors now translate truck part names and safety steps into English for repetition and recall.”

Driving instructors are concerned that inspectors might interpret accents or nervousness as violations. “Now for all the Spanish people, it’s more difficult,” said instructor Paul Cuartas.

Capacity Concerns and Rate Impacts as Drivers Face Disqualification

According to FreightWaves, up to 10% of the current U.S. truck driver workforce may not meet the updated English standards, posing a serious risk to national trucking capacity.

• Tender rejections could rise, tightening available trucks for shippers.
• Truckload rates may climb from the current national average of $2.27 per mile.
• Carriers are prioritizing ELP-compliant hires, reshaping recruitment practices.

“If even a fraction of that 10% are grounded, it’s going to pressure already-tight labor markets,” FreightWaves noted. “Expect carriers to raise rates to cover compliance costs and shifting capacity.”

Concerns Grow Over Fairness and Subjectivity

The guidance leaves discretion in the hands of inspectors—raising fears over inconsistent enforcement.

• No aids or interpreters allowed during inspections: no apps, cue cards, or assistance.
• Drivers must verbally answer questions about shipment documents, locations, and log times.
• Critics warn of potential discrimination, particularly against those with strong accents or regional dialects.

“It’s going to be the interpretation of the officer, so that makes people nervous,” said Jerry Maldonado of the Laredo Motor Carriers Association.

Mannirmal Kaur of the Sikh Coalition echoed the concern: “Is a trucker with an accent going to be placed out-of-service just because their English doesn’t match what the inspector expects?”

As enforcement takes hold, fleet operators and schools alike are ramping up support for their drivers. But now with the current enforcement law in effect, time will show if there will be a significant shortage or drivers or not, or if it will truly have a negative impact on trucking as a whole.

Source: Times of India | FreightWaves