Since the U.S. began enforcing English language proficiency rules for commercial drivers on June 25, some Canadian fleets have reported first-hand experiences — including drivers being asked to demonstrate their English skills at roadside or, in a few cases, being placed out of service.
In response, a number of carriers are now considering limiting U.S.-bound routes for drivers whose first language is not English.
According to our latest Pulse Reader Survey — while there is concern about the ambiguity of proficiency testing and racial profiling — most Canadian fleets support the U.S. enforcement of English language proficiency rules for commercial drivers, citing safety as the main reason.
“You need to be able to speak and understand the language to be safe on the road, reading the signs and understanding the products that you are carrying. This is a positive!” reads one of many comments we received.
Several responses encouraged similar enforcement to be mandatory in Canada, too. One owner-operator commented, “I’m fluent in English so it’s not a problem for me, but I have run into several issues with non-English speaking drivers from several different Canadian companies that are running the Canada/U.S. corridor.”
However, a few other readers raised concerns about inconsistent application, potential profiling, and effects on hiring practices. The average level of concern was rated at 3.12 out of 5.
Of the 371 respondents, 59.1% said they’ve assessed their drivers’ English skills in response to the enforcement — either internally, via third-party evaluations, or through driver self-assessments. However, about 40% said they had not taken any such steps.
For many fleets, English fluency has long been a hiring standard. “Since we have always done an English proficiency test, we are not that concerned,” one respondent said. Another added, “We would never hire someone who cannot speak or read English. We do a live test before agreeing to onboard.”
Others reported steps to reinforce English use in day-to-day operations. As one respondent noted, “We have asked dispatch to talk to all drivers in English, and not their first language.”
Still, for some fleets, the enforcement is having noticeable effects. “On the positive side, it has increased awareness around compliance and safety standards,” one respondent said. “Drivers are more mindful of proper documentation and procedures…However, there are also some challenges. Stricter enforcement can sometimes lead to delays, especially when there’s confusion or inconsistency in how rules are applied.”
Many fleets are now placing greater emphasis on English skills during recruitment, too — 58.9% of respondents said the rule has made language fluency a more important hiring factor.
“Because our company, like many others, had no choice but to hire people that were limited in English, we fired those people only when they could not do the job safely! Not letting the English be a factor, but now we at least have an outlet where we can state 90 days or out!” one fleet operator shared.
Some believe the rule should have been enforced long ago. “I think the enforcement is the best thing and has always been in the law book. It’s common-sense thinking!… Road signs are in English (besides Quebec), so it only makes sense!”
But another reader noted they are slightly concerned about some of their French drivers. “We are operating as normal, concerned about drivers with English as a second language and French as their number one where they understand but do not clearly reply in English. No impact at this point,” they wrote.
Others flagged concerns about how the rule is applied in the U.S. “So far all good, but [we’re] worried about profiling and [that] enforcement officers have the final say,” one respondent said.
So far, only 8.7% (23 respondents) reported having drivers placed out of service due to English proficiency. However, nearly 20% (50 respondents) said their drivers had been asked to demonstrate their English skills during a roadside inspection.
When it comes to supporting drivers, just 27.6% of respondents said they’ve provided tools or training to help improve English proficiency. That includes 11.8% who offered language-learning apps, textbooks or other resources, 10.1% who provided industry-specific English training, and 5.7% who offered one-on-one coaching or role-play drills.
A third of respondents said they are either limiting or considering limiting U.S.-bound trips for non-native English-speaking drivers. Nineteen per cent have already made such route restrictions, while 65.6% said they do not plan to do so.
Some noted that the rule may unfairly limit access for otherwise qualified drivers. “Yes, lots of drivers with good experience [are] not hired because of [an] English language problem,” one response read.
A few respondents submitted comments that confused language ability with race or national origin — including some who openly stated they only hire white or Canadian-born drivers. Trucknews.com chose not to publish those remarks, but they do reflect a troubling trend that some of our readers were concerned about in the first place — for some, the rule appears to offer a justification for discriminatory hiring practices under the guise of efforts to comply with language enforcement.
Full survey results will be published in September 2025 issue of Today’s Trucking.
