All truck and bus drivers required to take commercial driver’s license test in English

Duffy indicated that the registration system and requirements for trucking companies would be strengthened NewsWorldAmericasAll truck and bus drivers required to take commercial driver’s license test in EnglishDuffy indicated that the registration system and requirements for trucking companies would be strengthenedJosh Funk Saturday 21 February 2026 18:24 GMTBookmarkBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popoverTruck carrying liquified gas explodes on Chilean highwayYour support helps us to tell the storyRead moreSupport NowFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read moreAll truck and bus drivers across the United States will now be required to take their commercial driving licence tests in English, as the administration expands its rigorous campaign to enhance industry safety and remove unqualified drivers from the roads.Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the latest initiative on Friday, designed to ensure that drivers possess sufficient English proficiency to comprehend road signs and communicate effectively with law enforcement officers. Florida has already begun administering its tests exclusively in English.Currently, numerous states permit drivers to undertake their licence tests in other languages, despite a federal requirement for English proficiency. California, for instance, previously offered tests in 20 different languages. Duffy highlighted that several states have outsourced the administration of commercial driving licence tests to private companies, which he claims are failing to enforce the necessary standards for demonstrating driving and English skills.These intensified enforcement efforts follow closely on the heels of the Transportation Department’s directive for 557 driving schools to close due to their failure to meet fundamental safety standards. The department has been aggressively targeting states that issued commercial driving licences to individuals who should not have qualified, a crackdown initiated after a fatal crash in August.That incident involved a lorry driver, whom Duffy stated was not authorised to be in the US, making an illegal U-turn in Florida, resulting in the deaths of three people. Subsequent fatal collisions, including one in Indiana earlier this month that claimed the lives of four members of an Amish community, have further amplified safety concerns.States are mandated to ensure drivers can speak English before granting a commercial licence, with law enforcement expected to verify language skills during traffic stops or inspections. Drivers unable to communicate effectively are supposed to be removed from service. A recent federal inspection programme, involving 8,215 checks, led to nearly 500 drivers being disqualified due to their English language abilities. California initially resisted enforcing these English rules but has since removed over 600 drivers from its highways.Duffy asserted that every American expects drivers of large commercial vehicles to be thoroughly qualified. He lamented that for too long, issues within the trucking industry were "allowed to rot and no one's paying attention to it for decades.""Once you start to pay attention, you see that all these bad things have been happening. And the consequence of that is that Americans get hurt," Duffy said. "When we get on the road, we should expect that we should be safe. And that those who drive those 80,000-pound big rigs, that they are well-trained, they’re well-qualified, and they’re going to be safe."Duffy indicated that the registration system and requirements for trucking companies would be strengthened (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)The campaign will also broaden its scope to prevent fraudulent trucking companies from entering the business, while continuing to target questionable driving schools and ensure states adhere to all regulations for issuing commercial licences. Duffy indicated that the registration system and requirements for trucking companies would be strengthened, with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) inspectors conducting more spot checks of lorries and commercial driving licence schools. Officials are also working to ensure the accuracy of electronic logging devices used by drivers a