USA (Commonwealth Union)_ In a major move affecting the American trucking industry, the US government has barred more than 7,000 commercial truck drivers from operating on the nation’s highways after they failed English proficiency tests during roadside inspections. A large share of those impacted are Indian-origin drivers, many from the states of Punjab and Haryana, who make up a vital part of the country’s long-haul trucking workforce. The action comes after several serious road accidents involving truckers with limited English skills.
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US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that the Trump administration ordered the enforcement under new language standards aimed at improving highway safety. “This step is about making America’s roads safe again,” Duffy said, adding that drivers who cannot understand or communicate in English will no longer be allowed to operate heavy trucks. Earlier this year, the administration also paused the issuance of work visas for foreign truck drivers. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the decision was meant to protect both public safety and American jobs. “The growing number of foreign drivers operating massive tractor-trailers on US roads puts lives at risk and undermines American truckers’ livelihoods,” Rubio said.
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According to an update shared by Duffy on X, 7,248 drivers have been taken “out of service” as of October 2025 for failing to meet the new English Language Proficiency (ELP) standards. The Department of Transportation’s (DOT) guidelines require all commercial truck drivers to speak and understand English well enough to read traffic signs, communicate with law enforcement and safety officials, and follow instructions related to cargo and vehicle operations. The new policy stems from an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in April, which described English proficiency as a “non-negotiable safety requirement.” The order emphasizes that drivers must be able to communicate with border agents, highway patrol officers, and weigh station inspectors in English to ensure clear and safe exchanges on the road.
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The stricter enforcement follows a series of fatal crashes involving truck drivers of foreign origin. One incident in October on California’s 10 Freeway claimed three lives when a semi-truck driven by 21-year-old Jashanpreet Singh, a Punjabi driver, collided with an SUV. Another case involved Harjinder Singh, also of Indian origin, who allegedly made an illegal U-turn on Florida’s Turnpike, causing three deaths. These and similar cases intensified calls for stricter checks on driver qualifications and communication ability. Federal data shows that the number of English-related violations has risen sharply. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported over 5,000 ELP violations by October 2025, with enforcement ramping up particularly in states like Texas, Arizona, and California, regions where many foreign-born drivers work. Under the revised safety rules, inspectors can immediately sideline drivers who fail to understand or respond in English during roadside checks.
The new measures have caused significant disruption in the trucking industry. The North American Punjabi Truckers Association (NAPTA) estimates that between 130,000 and 150,000 Indian-origin truckers currently operate in the United States. Many of them have been directly affected by the language rule, which critics say punishes experienced drivers for minor communication lapses rather than genuine safety risks. “Many of these drivers have been hauling safely for years,” said Adalberto Campero, CEO of the Texas-based carrier Unimex, in a statement. “They’re being penalized not because they’re unsafe, but because they didn’t respond quickly enough in English during inspections. This feels less about safety and more about interpretation.”
Industry groups warn that the crackdown is already creating driver shortages and delaying shipments, especially for carriers operating near the southern border. Texas, which has issued more than 3.2 million commercial driver’s licenses since 2015, including over 50,000 to non-domiciled drivers, is facing some of the most severe shortages. However, the White House has defended the move, insisting that the policy is designed purely to enhance public safety. “Truck drivers must be able to read road signs, follow directions, and communicate effectively in emergencies,” the administration said in a statement. “This is not about nationality. It’s about safety and accountability on America’s highways.”
