WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States Department of Labor issued new guidance requiring employers seeking foreign commercial truck drivers to explicitly include federally mandated English-language proficiency standards in labor certification applications, part of a broader Trump administration effort tied to roadway safety and immigration enforcement.
The guidance, released through the department’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification, clarifies that job orders and applications involving commercial motor vehicle operators must state that applicants are able to read and speak English sufficiently to understand traffic signs, communicate with the public, respond to officials and complete required records.
Federal officials described the move as an effort to standardize compliance across employers using temporary or permanent foreign labor certification programs for trucking positions.
Acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling stated that enforcing existing English-language requirements for commercial drivers is intended to support roadway safety and align with President Donald Trump’s executive orders concerning trucking regulations and English as the country’s official language.
The department noted that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration already bars individuals from operating commercial motor vehicles unless they can sufficiently read and speak English. While transportation regulators are responsible for direct enforcement, Labor Department officials indicated the agency also reviews labor certification filings to ensure required qualifications are included in employer applications.
According to the guidance, employers that fail to include the English-language proficiency requirement will receive a Notice of Deficiency, pausing the certification process until corrected documentation is submitted.
Brian Kennedy stated that clearly identifying required qualifications in labor filings is intended to improve regulatory consistency and support public safety compliance.
Federal officials added that English-language testing and screening remain under the authority of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the United States Department of State for visa applicants.
The department’s guidance is available here: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ETA/oflc/pdfs/ELP-FAQs-Publication.pdf
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