Foreign truck drivers operating in the US have long been required to demonstrate English proficiency. A recent executive order under the Trump administration has elevated failure to comply from a standard violation to an out-of-service condition. What does this mean in practical terms?
What happens if a driver fails to meet the requirement? What qualifies as acceptable English proficiency? Can drivers use translation or communication apps? What if a driver has a hearing impairment? Do the rules differ in commercial zones along the US-Mexico border? How can a driver/operator resolve a failed test result and get back on the road?
With the U.S. Department of Transportation’s English language requirement now in effect, we invited two experts to explain its key elements during a recent webinar: Adrienne Gildea, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s Deputy Executive Director, and Dan Horvath, IRU member the American Trucking Associations’ Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Safety Policy.
