NEW DELHI / WASHINGTON, D.C.: U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that the administration has removed 9,500 truck drivers from service for failing to meet federal English-language requirements, calling the move part of a broader effort to enhance road safety.
In a post shared on X, Duffy said the action was taken against drivers who “failed to speak our national language — ENGLISH,” emphasizing that the administration’s priority is protecting American families on the road.
We’ve now knocked 9,500 truck drivers out of service for failing to speak our national language — ENGLISH!
This administration will always put you and your family’s safety first.🚚 https://t.co/mRVsMI26Ir
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) December 10, 2025
The announcement followed a report shared by political account Rapid Response 47, citing a Bloomberg investigation titled “Truckers Who Fail English Tests Are Pulled Off Roads in Trump Crackdown.”
The report outlines the government’s intensified enforcement of long-standing rules that require commercial drivers to understand English well enough to read road signs, communicate with officers, and navigate safety protocols.
Safety and Enforcement at the Center of Crackdown
Duffy defended the large-scale removals, stating:
“This administration will always put you and your family’s safety first.”
The enforcement effort marks one of the most sweeping language-compliance crackdowns in the trucking sector, sparking debate across the logistics industry.
Supporters argue it is essential for safety, while critics say the move disproportionately affects immigrant drivers who make up a significant portion of America’s long-haul workforce.
Trucking associations, logistics companies, and labor groups are expected to weigh in as the policy impacts freight capacity, driver availability, and cross-border trucking operations in the months ahead.
The administration has not yet released detailed breakdowns of where these enforcement actions took place or how appeals will be handled.
