President Trump’s new order mandates English proficiency for truck drivers, sparking industry concern over potential negative impacts.
SAN ANTONIO — Truck drivers who aren’t fluent in English could be removed from the road.
A new executive order signed by President Trump requires drivers to now be proficient in English, passing English literacy tests or else they’ll be removed from the road.
In Eagle Pass, Cecil Tucker helps operate a trucking company – delivering car parts and flatbed rocks from Mexico.
“In my opinion, he’s penalizing the Hispanic drivers from Mexico,” Tucker said. “Yes, there’s bad apples in every bunch but I mean, in my opinion, they’re being singled out.”
Already, Tucker explained, they’ve had people quit and he says it’s going to negatively impact the industry.
“We’re very small,” he said. “We got five trucks right now from 11 to 5. We’ve already had two [quit]. They can text English. They can read English but they can’t speak it and they’re penalized. Who’s going to pick up the loads from Monterrey, Saltillo that are required to go door-to-door services to Michigan, to Kansas City?”
In a statement, the Texas Trucking Association expressed support for Trump’s executive order.
“President Trump’s executive order restoring English-proficiency enforcement for truck drivers is a necessary and commonsense step to improve public safety on America’s roads. Importantly, it is addressing the issue where it should be addressed, at the federal level. Truck drivers must simply be able to read road signs, understand emergency instructions and communicate clearly with our law enforcement and governing officials — basic skills that can save lives. By reinstating these requirements, the administration is prioritizing both safety and the professionalism of an essential workforce that keeps our economy moving.
Another example of this issue is the purchasing of fraudulent Mexican LFCs (CDLs) by Central Americans, Europeans and individuals in the U.S. This became a growing issue that we addressed with Texas law enforcement last session — without federal support. Clear enforcement in Texas has since pushed the abuse to other states. So, we know that without uniform enforcement the problem proliferates and without uniform guidance across the states, safety deteriorates.”
For more information about the order, click HERE.