U.S. Orders English-Only Commercial License Tests
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced English-only commercial driver’s license tests and stepped-up enforcement after fatal crashes and the Department’s finding that 557 driving schools should close.
Overview
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that all truckers and bus drivers will have to take commercial driver’s license tests in English.
The action follows fatal crashes that officials said heightened concerns, including a Florida crash that killed three people and an Indiana crash that killed four members of an Amish community.
A recent federal effort involving 8,215 inspections led to nearly 500 drivers being disqualified because of their English skills, officials said.
The Transportation Department said 557 driving schools should close because they failed to meet basic safety standards.
Duffy said the registration system and company requirements will be strengthened while Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration inspectors conduct more spot checks of trucks and schools.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the policy as a necessary safety crackdown, emphasizing law-and-order and immigrant-related risk. Editorial choices—loaded terms ("aggressive campaign," "allowed to rot"), selection of fatal-crash anecdotes, and prominence of officials' quotes—create urgency and justify stricter English and enforcement rules while omitting language-access or immigrant-rights perspectives.
Sources (4)
FAQ
The announcement follows fatal crashes, including a Florida crash killing three people and an Indiana crash killing four Amish community members, plus a federal effort disqualifying nearly 500 drivers due to poor English skills.
Federal regulation 49 CFR § 391.11(b)(2) requires CDL drivers to read and speak English sufficiently for safe operation, including communicating with inspectors, understanding road signs, and answering questions without an interpreter.
The Transportation Department stated that 557 driving schools should close for failing to meet basic safety standards.
Strengthened registration systems, company requirements, and increased spot checks by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration inspectors on trucks and schools.
History
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