US transportation secretary announces English proficiency for truckers

​​​​​​​By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - US Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy signed an order Tuesday to enforce an English proficiency requirement for truckers.

"America First means safety first. Americans are a lot safer on roads alongside truckers who can understand and interpret our traffic signs. This common-sense change ensures the penalty for failure to comply is more than a slap on the wrist," Duffy said.

Under the new guidance, commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers who fail to comply with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) longstanding English-language proficiency (ELP) requirements will be placed "out-of-service."

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

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," it said.