In early May 2025, President Trump signed an executive order directing the U.S. Department of Transportation to require all commercial truck drivers crossing into the United States to “understand highway traffic signs and signals in the English language.” While framed as a safety measure, the policy has stirred deep concern among Mexican drivers—who move over $20 billion in goods annually through San Diego’s Otay Mesa Port of Entry—about potential job losses, added costs, and border delays. Here’s a comprehensive look at the new requirement, its broader trade-policy context, the responses from industry and government on both sides of the border, and answers to the questions drivers and shippers are asking.
What the Order Requires—and How It Will Be Enforced
- Executive Directive: Signed May 1, the order mandates that the U.S. Secretary of Transportation issue an English-language proficiency policy for all foreign-registered commercial drivers by June 30, 2025.
- Proposed Testing Regimen: While details are pending, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) officials signal the likely use of a standardized English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) test—aligned with the six-level Common European Framework—focused on reading highway signs, understanding spoken instructions, and communicating basic safety messages.
- Certification Process: Drivers may need to pass the test at approved testing centers before receiving a U.S. Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) or cross-border permit. Early estimates suggest a $150–$300 testing fee per driver, plus optional training courses.
- Enforcement Timeline: After the policy’s June deadline, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) could begin spot-checking driver credentials at crossings. Non-compliant drivers risk denied entry, fines up to $2,750 per violation, or revocation of cross-border clearance.
Trade and Economic Stakes
- Otay Mesa’s Vital Role: The Otay Mesa Port handles the largest volume of U.S.-Mexico truck trade in California—over 30,000 commercial trucks per week, carrying electronics, produce, auto parts, and consumer goods.
- Ripple Effects: Even a 10% reduction in daily crossings could delay just-in-time supply chains for manufacturers in Southern California and Arizona, potentially increasing freight costs by 5–7% and driving up prices for end consumers.
- Competitive Shifts: U.S. carriers may fill gaps, but at higher labor rates. Mexican carriers estimate that passing rates on the new English test could initially hover below 60%, sidelining experienced drivers and straining fleets.
Industry Response: Fear, Adaptation, and Pushback
- CANACAR’s Concerns: The Cámara Nacional del Autotransporte de Carga (CANACAR)—representing over 100,000 Mexican freight operators—warns that “drivers with 30 years of safe records” face unemployment. CANACAR Vice President Israel Delgado Vallejo says members are “scared to cross the border.”
- Training Initiatives: In response, CANACAR plans a “Puente de Inglés” program: a 40-hour intensive ESL course, delivered in Tijuana and Matamoros, aimed at preparing drivers for the test at subsidized rates (est. $100 per student).
- U.S. Industry Groups: The American Trucking Associations (ATA) have publicly supported safety-focused language requirements but urge phased implementation and funding assistance to avoid crippling cross-border commerce.
- Labor and Diplomatic Lobbying: Mexican unions and Mexico’s Ministry of Economy are engaging in talks with the U.S. Embassy, seeking waivers for long-tenured drivers and exploring potential bilateral agreements under USMCA’s transportation provisions.
Challenges and Additional Considerations
- Access to Testing: Remote border regions lack FMCSA-approved ESL test centers, forcing some drivers to travel 100+ miles for exams. Mobile testing units are under discussion.
- Collateral Delays: CBP officers—already stretched thin—may face longer inspection times per truck if asked to verify language credentials, potentially worsening border congestion.
- Equity Concerns: Older drivers and those from indigenous communities may struggle more with English exams. CANACAR is advocating for differentiated assessments that account for literacy levels and provide oral-only testing options.
- Precedent and Reciprocity: The order raises questions about whether U.S.-registered drivers entering Mexico might face Spanish-proficiency requirements in response, although Mexican regulators have not signaled such plans.
Moving Forward: Potential Pathways
- Phased Rollout: A tiered approach—first educating drivers, then piloting the test on select routes before full enforcement—could soften the transition.
- Funding Partnerships: Public-private coalitions involving U.S. state governments, Mexican states, and trucking firms might underwrite training and testing infrastructure.
- Technological Aids: Digital translation apps (with offline signage-recognition capabilities) and in-cab language guides could provide interim compliance tools, pending formal certification.
- Policy Revisions: Stakeholder feedback may prompt the Department of Transportation to adjust the order’s scope—limiting requirements to intercity truckers or extending compliance deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is the U.S. imposing an English requirement now?
A: Officials cite safety data showing miscommunication contributes to roughly 15% of cross-border incidents; they argue language proficiency reduces collision risks.
Q: Who must comply with this mandate?
A: All foreign-registered commercial drivers seeking CBP clearance to operate in U.S. border states—primarily those holding a Mexican FMCSA-recognized permit or Class 3–5 CDL.
Q: What level of English proficiency is expected?
A: The target is roughly CEFR Level A2–B1: able to read common road signs, follow simple spoken instructions, and respond to basic safety questions.
Q: How will drivers be tested?
A: Through FMCSA-approved ESL exams at designated centers or via mobile testing units; both written and oral components are likely.
Q: When does enforcement begin?
A: After the Secretary of Transportation issues the final policy by June 30, enforcement could start as early as August 1, 2025.
Q: What if a driver fails the test?
A: They may receive a provisional permit to attend remedial training, but multiple failures could lead to suspension of cross-border privileges.
Q: Will this increase shipping costs?
A: Potentially—through training fees, test costs, and longer routes if drivers are delayed at the border; carriers may pass some costs to shippers.
Q: Are there precedents for such language rules?
A: Similar requirements exist for maritime pilots and air-traffic controllers; this is the first time it’s applied broadly to ground-transport drivers.
Q: How can drivers prepare?
A: Enrolling in CANACAR’s ESL bridge courses, using FMCSA-issued study guides, and practicing with language-learning apps tailored to trucking terminology.
Q: Could the policy be rescinded?
A: Executive orders can be modified or revoked by future administrations; however, safety advocates expect sustained momentum for language standards.
Sources KPBS
