US Bars Over 7,000 Truck Drivers For Failing English Test, Indian-origin truckers hit hard

Last Updated:November 02, 2025, 20:15 IST

Over 7,000 truckers were taken out of service for failing English checks under Trump’s new language rules, impacting Punjabi and Haryana drivers in the US

The crackdown on foreign drivers follows a broader pattern of immigration and public safety measures (AP Image)

Over 7,000 truckers have been placed out of service for failing real-time roadside English Language Proficiency (ELP) checks. Among those affected are thousands of Indians.

In a post on Thursday, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy shared a post saying: “7,248 drivers placed out of service for failing to meet Trump’s English language proficiency standards as of October 2025."

In the post, he said: “US Department of Transportation requires commercial truck drivers to speak and understand English to operate a big rig- or they will be taken out of service. This is about Donald Trump and his administration making America’s roads SAFE again!"

According to the executive order signed by President Trump in April, “Proficiency in English, which I designated as our official national language in Executive Order 14224 of March 1, 2025 (Designating English as the Official Language of the United States), should be a non-negotiable safety requirement for professional drivers. They should be able to read and understand traffic signs, communicate with traffic safety, border patrol, agricultural checkpoints, and cargo weight-limit station officers. Drivers need to provide feedback to their employers and customers and receive related directions in English."

In May, Secretary Sean Duffy signed a follow-up order implementing the policy through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

“Americans are a lot safer on roads alongside truckers who can understand and interpret our traffic signs," Duffy said in a statement after signing the order. “This common-sense change ensures the penalty for failure to comply is more than a slap on the wrist."

India is one of the top sources for commercial drivers in states especially Texas and California.

Indian Express quoted the North American Punjabi Truckers Association stating estimates 130,000–150,000 truck drivers work in the US, coming directly from Punjab and Haryana due to established recruitment networks, and many of them have been impacted.

News world US Bars Over 7,000 Truck Drivers For Failing English Test, Indian-origin truckers hit hard

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