FMCSA published the proposed rule on Aug. 10, seeking to formally incorporate the out-of-service consequence into the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. The agency said the change would create a consistent national enforcement standard for a driver qualification requirement that has existed for decades.

The proposal is open for public comment through Oct. 9.

Proposal Would Standardize Enforcement

Federal regulations already require commercial drivers operating in interstate commerce to read and speak English sufficiently to converse with the public, understand highway traffic signs and signals, respond to official inquiries and complete reports and records.

According to FMCSA, the proposal would not create a new qualification standard. Instead, it would establish a uniform enforcement mechanism by allowing drivers who do not meet the English language proficiency requirement to be placed out of service during roadside inspections.

The agency said the change is intended to eliminate inconsistencies in how the existing requirement is enforced from one jurisdiction to another.

CVTA Says English Proficiency Is a Safety Issue

In announcing its support, the Commercial Vehicle Training Association said the proposal reinforces a long-standing safety requirement rather than introducing a new obligation for drivers.

The association said commercial drivers must be able to read highway signs, communicate with law enforcement officers during inspections and interact effectively with the public while operating commercial vehicles.

“English proficiency is one of the standards that makes commercial driving a profession, and it is a matter of safety, not politics,” the association said in a statement.

CVTA also noted that English language proficiency has been part of the federal commercial driver qualification standards since 1937.

Training Programs Already Teach the Standard

The association said its member schools already prepare entry-level drivers to meet the federal English language proficiency requirement as part of their training programs.

CVTA said formally placing the out-of-service provision into federal regulations would provide greater consistency for training providers and carriers by ensuring the requirement is applied uniformly across the country.

The organization added that the proposal aligns with the standards already expected of drivers entering interstate commercial trucking.

Public Comment Period Remains Open

CVTA said it plans to submit comments supporting the proposal and encouraged its members to participate in the federal rulemaking process.

FMCSA is accepting public comments on the proposed rule through Oct. 9, 2026, before determining whether to adopt the changes.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: August 24, 2026

Source: The Trucker

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