Trump administration requires truck drivers to speak English

WASHINGTON

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday requiring commercial truck drivers in the US to be proficient in English.

"America’s truck drivers are essential to the strength of our economy, the security of our Nation, and the livelihoods of the American people.

"Every day, truckers perform the demanding and dangerous work of transporting the Nation’s goods to businesses, customers and communities safely, reliably and efficiently," the order said.

Proficiency in English should be a "non-negotiable safety requirement" for professional drivers, according to the order.

"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. This is common sense," the order said.

According to the order, a violation of the English language proficiency requirement would put a driver "out-of-service."

On March 1, Trump designated English as the country's official language.