FMCSA Introduces Two-Step Process to Assess Truck Drivers’ English Proficiency

Washington, D.C., May 21, 2025 — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has rolled out a new two-step English Language Proficiency (ELP) assessment aimed at evaluating whether commercial truck drivers can sufficiently meet federal safety language requirements.

Under federal regulation 49 CFR § 391.11(b)(2), drivers operating in interstate commerce must be able to read and understand U.S. highway traffic signs and respond to official inquiries in English. The FMCSA’s latest policy memo clarifies how this requirement should be enforced during roadside inspections.

Step 1: Driver Interview

Inspectors must initiate all interactions in English and assess the driver’s ability to respond directly to official questions and instructions — without the aid of interpreters, cue cards, apps, or language cards. These tools are prohibited during the interview, as they may obscure the driver’s lack of English proficiency.

If the driver is unable to adequately respond, the inspector will immediately place the driver out of service for violating English language requirements, and Step 2 is not conducted.

Step 2: Highway Traffic Sign Recognition Assessment

If the driver passes the interview, the next step is to evaluate their ability to comprehend U.S. highway signs, including dynamic electronic message signs, following MUTCD standards.

Inspectors must document all supporting evidence for ELP violations, including the driver’s verbal responses (or lack thereof). When warranted, enforcement officers may initiate disqualification proceedings, preventing the driver from operating commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce.

The policy could have wide-reaching implications for the supply of drivers in a multilingual workforce, particularly as the industry continues to rely on a globally diverse talent pool.