7,000 Truckers Barred in US Over English Test Failures

More than 7,000 truck drivers across the United States have been taken off the roads this year after failing mandatory English proficiency tests, according to US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. The move, aimed at tightening road safety regulations, has disproportionately impacted Indian-origin drivers—particularly those from Punjab and Haryana—who form a large part of America’s trucking workforce.

As per official data, 7,248 drivers have been declared out of service as of October 2025, marking a sharp rise from 1,500 recorded in July. The violations were reported by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which has been ramping up enforcement in multiple states.

The development follows a spate of accidents involving Indian-origin truckers, prompting federal authorities to revisit long-standing language requirements. “Commercial truck drivers must speak and understand English to operate—or they will be taken out of service,” Duffy said.

According to the North American Punjabi Truckers Association, between 130,000 and 150,000 US-based truckers hail from Punjab and Haryana. Many have reportedly been affected by the new testing standards introduced under President Donald Trump’s 2025 executive order, which mandates strict English language compliance for all Commercial Driver’s Licence (CDL) holders.

The order, effective June 25, 2025, also overturns an Obama-era directive that prevented inspectors from disqualifying drivers solely for language-related reasons. Under the new policy, drivers who fail to demonstrate adequate English communication skills—necessary for reading road signs, interacting with authorities, and maintaining logs—are immediately removed from service.

FMCSA data shows over 5,000 English language-related violations recorded through October alone, with the figure rising as states intensify inspections. The updated rulebook now requires drivers to communicate effectively with law enforcement and the public, and to correctly interpret official instructions, enhancing overall road safety standards.

Industry groups, however, warn of potential disruptions in the logistics sector, which relies heavily on immigrant workers. Many Indian-origin drivers—especially recent migrants—are struggling to meet the test requirements, raising concerns about workforce shortages and economic consequences for small trucking firms.

The policy change is being widely discussed within the North American trucking community, with calls for language training support rather than immediate suspension of licenses. Advocacy organisations have urged the government to introduce transitional measures to help non-native speakers comply with the new mandates.

For now, the rule remains firm. As enforcement expands nationwide, thousands of drivers—many from the Indian diaspora—face uncertainty over their livelihoods in an industry already grappling with labour shortages and rising operational costs.