After traveling across Asia, particularly in countries like Japan and China, I understand the challenge of being somewhere unfamiliar where I can’t speak or decipher the language, including interpreting road signs. This situation makes not only reading signs but asking for directions quite difficult, leading to a sense of unease.
However, I wasn’t navigating a commercial vehicle. For a long time, authorities have overlooked situations where individuals who don’t speak or read English have been driving commercial trucks in the U.S. But this is changing. On Tuesday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced via his official X account that commercial drivers lacking English proficiency will be removed from service.
Secretary Duffy also described the action on Fox News:
Drivers of commercial vehicles who can’t speak our national language will be taken out of service. This is just common sense.
Drivers who can’t read our signs or communicate with law enforcement have no business being on our roads.
America First = Safety First! pic.twitter.com/ax68jlm1yH
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) July 8, 2025
Secretary Duffy said:
It’s crucial because not only does reading road signs matter, but also, in events like road incidents or interactions with law enforcement, drivers need to communicate effectively about their cargo and situation. The requirement for English proficiency isn’t novel; it’s been established for years. During Barack Obama’s administration, violations of this rule were met with negligible consequences. We’re reverting to stricter enforcement where non-compliant drivers will have their vehicles taken off the road. It’s logical; operating potentially hazardous vehicles in the U.S. demands the ability to speak English.
It is common sense, but as my Old Man used to say, the problem is that common sense… isn’t common.
