On May 20, 2025, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) released updated guidance detailing the enforcement of English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. This action follows President Trump's April 28 executive order mandating stricter adherence to ELP standards.

Key Points of the New FMCSA ELP Guidance

• Two-Step Assessment Process: Inspectors will initiate all roadside inspections in English. If a driver appears to have difficulty understanding, the inspector will conduct a two-part assessment:
  1. Driver Interview: Evaluates the driver's ability to converse in English without assistance.
  2. Traffic Sign Recognition: Assesses the driver's understanding of U.S. highway signs.
• Prohibition of Aids: During assessments, the use of interpreters, translation apps, or cue cards is prohibited to ensure an accurate evaluation of the driver's English proficiency.
• Immediate Enforcement: Drivers failing to meet ELP standards will be cited for violations under 49 CFR § 391.11(b)(2). While immediate out-of-service orders are not mandated until June 25, 2025, inspectors are authorized to initiate disqualification proceedings for non-compliant drivers.
• Border Zone Considerations: In U.S.-Mexico border commercial zones, inspectors will cite ELP violations but will not place drivers out of service or initiate disqualification actions until the policy is fully integrated into the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria on June 25, 2025.

This guidance underscores the FMCSA's commitment to enhancing roadway safety by ensuring that all CMV drivers possess sufficient English proficiency to understand traffic signs, communicate with officials, and complete necessary documentation.

For more detailed information, you can access the full FMCSA ELP guidance document here: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/newsroom/updated-internal-agency-enforcement-policy-english-language-proficiency