The recent enforcement of a long-standing rule requiring commercial truck drivers in the United States to pass English-language proficiency tests is causing significant disruption within the industry, with nearly 10,000 drivers removed from service. Industry analysts warn this could exacerbate an existing driver shortage, drive up freight rates, and ultimately lead to higher prices for consumers, including those in the UK who purchase goods shipped from the US.
Safety Push or Economic Headache?
In April of this year, President Trump signed an executive order directing roadside inspectors to take commercial drivers out of service immediately if they fail an English communication assessment. While federal rules mandating English proficiency for truckers have existed since 1937, prior enforcement typically resulted in citations rather than immediate removal from the road.
The tests focus on practical skills: a driver's ability to understand instructions, respond to warnings, and communicate effectively with law enforcement. US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy championed the move on social media, stating, 'We've now knocked 9,500 truck drivers out of service for failing to speak our national language — ENGLISH!' He added that the administration prioritises public safety above all.
However, for many within the trucking sector, the sudden, strict enforcement presents a major operational challenge. Vadym Shpak, a trucking company owner, explained the practical impact to Bloomberg: 'These are good drivers, experienced drivers, but they get pulled over, and the officer says their English isn't good enough. And you know what happens? I have to pay for everything.'
Worsening Shortage and Ripple Effects on Prices
The timing of this crackdown is particularly acute given the industry's severe and persistent labour shortage. The American Trucking Associations projects a deficit of roughly 160,000 drivers by 2030, with federal data showing over 230,000 trucking jobs currently unfilled. Removing thousands more drivers from the road restricts capacity further, a basic economic principle that leads to increased freight rates.
These higher shipping costs do not exist in a vacuum. They ripple outward through supply chains, eventually feeding into the broader prices consumers pay for goods transported by truck. Experts caution that items with thin profit margins could see the most noticeable price hikes. The effects may be felt most strongly in regions with robust immigration enforcement, such as the southern border states of Arizona, California, Texas, and New Mexico.
Political Flashpoints and Industry Division
The policy has been thrust into the political spotlight following tragic incidents. A deadly crash on a Florida turnpike in August, involving an immigrant truck driver from India, became a focal point for officials advocating stricter oversight. Secretary of State Marco Rubio cited the crash as evidence of broader enforcement failures.
This has galvanised support for the new enforcement rigor among some industry groups. Andrew Poliakoff of the Commercial Vehicle Training Association told the Daily Mail that previous lax oversight 'allowed a flood of unqualified' drivers onto the roads, with significant negative market effects. 'We're hopeful that renewed enforcement will remove this array of bad actors from the industry,' he said.
Yet, other industry voices express concern about unintended consequences. The president of one trucking association warned that forcing more veteran drivers to stay on the road longer to cover the deepening shortage could itself pose new safety risks. 'Carriers are scrambling to cover shifts already,' they said. 'We support the new rules, but there are secondary risks.'
As the US grapples with balancing road safety, immigration policy, and economic stability, the effects of this driver crackdown are likely to be felt far beyond its highways, potentially influencing the cost of goods in markets across the Atlantic.
