Since August 26, 2025, Florida state inspectors have placed over 240 commercial truck drivers out of service due to systematic English proficiency checkpoints at agricultural inspection stations.
This marks Florida’s first attempt to remove non-compliant truckers immediately during highway inspections, in contrast to the routine licensing renewal approach seen in other states.
National Crisis
Transportation officials report that since June 25, more than 1,500 truck drivers have been removed from U.S. highways for failing English proficiency tests during roadside inspections.
The Western region leads with 412 violations, followed by the South with 364. This trend highlights demographic patterns among drivers along major freight corridors in the country.
Decade Dormant
Federal English proficiency requirements for commercial drivers have been in place since 1937, but enforcement was largely relaxed in 2016 when the FMCSA allowed drivers to operate despite language deficiencies.
This change followed the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s decision to remove English language deficits from out-of-service criteria, citing studies that did not establish a clear link between language skills and highway safety incidents.
Trump Reversal
On April 28, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14286, enforcing dormant English proficiency standards for commercial motor vehicle operators.
Following this, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy mandated on May 20 that drivers who fail a two-step English assessment be immediately removed from service, reversing nearly a decade of lenient enforcement practices.
Florida First
On August 26, 2025, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that all 23 state agricultural inspection stations would serve as checkpoints to assess English proficiency and immigration status for commercial drivers.
“If you’re here illegally or can’t speak English, you have no business operating large commercial vehicles on Florida’s roads,” Uthmeier declared, making Florida the first state to institute systematic checkpoint-based enforcement.
Tragedy Catalyst
The enforcement expansion was prompted by a tragic incident on August 12 on Florida’s Turnpike, where a truck driver made an illegal U-turn, resulting in the deaths of three people in a minivan.
Federal investigators later found that the driver failed an English proficiency test, correctly answering only 2 of 12 questions and identifying just 1 of 4 traffic signs. Despite these failures, the individual held commercial licenses from Washington and California.
Real People Affected
The tragic incident resulted in three individuals losing their lives when their minivan collided with a trailer that was obstructing the northbound lanes.
According to DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, the accident was attributed to the issuance of a Commercial Driver’s License by California’s Department of Motor Vehicles to an undocumented immigrant. McLaughlin expressed her concerns, stating, “Three innocent people were killed in Florida due to this governance issue.” The crash occurred around 3 p.m., approximately 50 miles north of West Palm Beach.
Border Exemption
Federal regulations allow a specific exception for drivers in commercial border zones, typically within 25 miles of U.S.-Mexico crossings. While these drivers can be cited for English violations, they cannot immediately be placed out of service.
This exemption, as outlined by FMCSA guidelines, supports cross-border freight operations while enforcing stricter standards for long-haul interstate commerce. This results in a two-tiered enforcement system based on location and cargo type.
Industry Support
A FleetOwner survey found that 95% of trucking professionals view the lack of English proficiency in drivers as a safety issue, with 75% labeling it “a big problem.”
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association supports reviving enforcement measures, calling it “common sense.” Additionally, 93% of industry respondents believe English proficiency should be a requirement in commercial driver license testing nationwide.
Funding Threat
The Trump administration warned California, Washington, and New Mexico that it might withhold $50.5 million in federal Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program funding due to inadequate enforcement of English proficiency.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy noted that California conducted around 34,000 inspections with only one driver out of service. At the same time, Washington found over 6,000 violations but removed just four drivers for language issues.
State Resistance
California officials disputed federal criticism, with Newsom’s press office responding on social media platform X that the truck driver involved in the August 12 accident obtained a work permit while Donald Trump was president.
“This is rich. The Trump Administration approved the federal work permit for the man who killed three people—and now they’re scrambling to shift blame after getting caught,” the governor’s office posted. DHS officials disputed the timeline, saying the truck driver’s work authorization was denied in 2020 but granted under Biden in 2021.
Wyoming Model
Wyoming Highway Patrol reported 236 truckers placed out of service for English deficiencies between June 25 and August 19, and language violations have become a top enforcement priority.
Lieutenant Kyle McKay of the motor carrier unit stated, “A lot of companies out there, smaller companies, are taking risks and hiring drivers that aren’t qualified to drive commercial vehicles.” State officials demonstrate systematic federal enforcement implementation.
Training Response
Trucking companies rapidly implement English proficiency training programs and pre-hire screening to avoid operational disruptions and out-of-service violations.
CNS Companies launched specialized English Proficiency Readiness Courses while carriers update hiring policies to prioritize candidates meeting language standards. Industry experts say this represents a fundamental shift in recruitment and training practices, with companies investing millions in compliance programs.
Economic Impact
FreightWaves estimates that 10% of truck drivers fall short of English proficiency standards, potentially driving national truckload rates higher as enforcement reduces available capacity.
With freight demand rebounding and the industry still facing driver shortages, language-based disqualifications could tighten capacity significantly. Market analysts warn of increased tender rejection rates from the current 6% benchmark, affecting supply chain costs nationwide.
Legal Challenges
Civil rights groups and driver advocates warn that subjective enforcement evaluations could unfairly penalize skilled drivers and fuel potential legal challenges based on discrimination claims.
The standardized two-step assessment process aims to reduce inspector bias, but the real-world application varies across jurisdictions. Legal experts raise questions about consistent enforcement and due process protections for non-native speakers who may understand English but struggle with testing anxiety.
Congressional Action
Representative Harriet Hageman of Wyoming announced cosponsorship of legislation to codify Trump’s executive order into federal law, preventing future administrations from relaxing enforcement requirements through policy changes.
The proposed bill would make English proficiency enforcement mandatory rather than discretionary. Congressional sources indicate the legislation reflects broader Republican efforts to institutionalize immigration-related policies beyond executive action, ensuring long-term enforcement consistency.
International Petition
An online petition seeking clemency for the truck driver responsible for the casualties has garnered over 2.8 million signatures, with supporters arguing the crash was a “catastrophic accident” rather than vehicular homicide. The petition, initiated by “Collective Punjabi Youth,” states that “while accountability is important, the severity of the charges against does not align with the circumstances of the incident.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on August 21 that “effective immediately we are pausing all issuance of worker visas for commercial truck drivers.”
Defense Strategy
Diamond R. Litty, the truck driver’s appointed public defender, said her office cannot recall a case garnering more attention in over three decades. “Unfortunately, [truck driver] has been caught in the crosshairs of politics,” Litty stated, noting her office will focus on criminal charges while working with immigration attorneys.
The truck driver faces three state counts of vehicular homicide and immigration violations, with federal authorities seeking his transfer to ICE custody after criminal proceedings conclude.
Political Flashpoint
The crash escalated into a public feud between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and California Governor Gavin Newsom, both of whom were viewed as having national political ambitions.
DeSantis sent Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins to California to personally escort the truck driver back to Florida, criticizing the state’s licensing policies. Newsom’s office accused the Trump administration of “shifting blame” to the states for its oversight failures, while federal officials disputed California’s claims about [truck driver’s] work authorization timeline.
Systemic Questions
The case highlights broader questions about immigration policy, trucking safety, and federal-state relations in commercial vehicle regulation. California is one of 19 states, plus the District of Columbia, that issue licenses regardless of immigration status, with supporters saying that this allows people to work and travel safely.
The American Trucking Association reports a nationwide shortage of about 60,000 drivers, raising concerns about how stricter enforcement might affect an already strained industry serving critical supply chains.