FMCSA Revives English-Language Proficiency Rule, Sidelines 2,000 Drivers Monthly

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has revived the English-language proficiency rule, which has resulted in about 2,000 drivers being sidelined monthly with out-of-service violations. The rule, which dates back to 1937, was unevenly applied for much of the past decade due to a 2016 guidance document. However, enforcement resumed in June 2025, following an executive order and subsequent action by FMCSA. The evaluation process includes a two-part test, consisting of an interview with the driver and a signage portion. While the signage portion is more objective, the interview component does not rely on a standardized scoring system, leaving room for interpretation by individual officers. Industry groups are seeking clearer standards, and some carriers have expressed concerns about the subjectivity of the evaluation process. Despite this, many fleets have reported that the renewed enforcement has simply reinforced existing expectations, and some have developed training tools to help drivers build job-specific communication skills. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance has provided guidance to enforcement agencies, and FMCSA’s DataQs system allows carriers to dispute violations. The rule has prompted little change for many fleets, particularly those that already emphasized safety and compliance in their hiring practices. However, smaller fleets have been more visibly impacted by the tougher stance.