by English for Truck Drivers: Safety or Discrimination?
In the state of Alabama, two truck drivers were fined for not knowing the English language. This happened due to the reinstatement of an old federal law that requires commercial drivers to be able to read and write in English. The rule, which has existed since the 1930s, was relaxed during Obama’s time, but Donald Trump reinstated it in April 2025.
The first fines have already been issued, and this has sparked controversy. On one hand, road safety is a priority, as drivers operate large trucks. On the other hand, there is a risk that the law will be used for discrimination, especially against immigrants.
“Drivers handle 80,000-pound loads, it’s very dangerous. If they can’t communicate or read road signs, it creates a risk,” says one local driver.
Is the Law Fair?
Over the past two years, over 15,000 violations related to not knowing English have been recorded. That’s about 20 cases per day. Approximately 4% of drivers in the US have limited language proficiency.
Representatives of the Sikh Coalition believe that the law should be fair and not target specific groups of drivers. They support the necessity of knowing English but caution against biased application of the rules.
The question remains open: will this law truly improve safety, or will it become a tool for unfair inspections? Increased fines and enforcement of the rules will likely spark new debates, especially among immigrants, who make up a significant part of the driving community. At the same time, for many industry professionals, the ability to understand road signs and communicate in emergencies is a matter of life and death.
