Enforcing Commonsense Rules of the Road for America’s Truck Drivers

President Trump’s April 28, 2025 executive order, “Enforcing Commonsense Rules of the Road for America’s Truck Drivers,” focuses on improving highway safety and supporting American truckers. The order emphasizes that proficiency in English is essential for operating commercial vehicles safely, citing the need to read road signs, communicate with officials, and handle transport-related duties. It criticizes prior administrations for neglecting enforcement of existing English-language requirements, claiming this has reduced roadway safety. The Department of Transportation is directed to rescind 2016 guidance that weakened English proficiency enforcement and to revise procedures so drivers who cannot meet English standards can be taken out of service. The order also calls for strengthening the verification of commercial driver’s licenses, especially for non-domiciled drivers, to prevent fraud or irregularities. Additionally, it tasks the Secretary of Transportation with proposing new measures to improve working conditions for truck drivers.