The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced today that it has revoked commercial driver’s licenses for more than 7,000 truck drivers nationwide who failed to meet newly reinstated English language proficiency requirements. DOT Secretary Sean Duffy stated the measure aims to address concerns about driver shortages and ensure safety on American roads.
The decision follows reports from several states regarding accidents involving foreign drivers operating commercial vehicles without adequate English skills. California officials confirmed two fatal crashes this past week, one in San Bernardino County where Jashanpreet Singh was cited as an undocumented driver involved in the incident. The second crash occurred earlier in Indiana and also involved an illegal alien driving a semi-truck.
American Truckers United co-founders Harvey Beech and Shannon Everett have long criticized efforts to lower licensing standards across states, claiming these actions facilitate unsafe operating conditions on U.S. highways. “This has really exploded over the last five years,” said Everett. “There’s been an effort across the industry to reduce standards… In doing so, they relaxed the requirements for driver’s licenses.”
Duffy noted that about 7,250 drivers have already failed re-testing since May due to English proficiency issues. While some states initially lowered CDL standards during previous administrations citing labor shortages or economic pressures – a move Secretary Beech characterized as enabling “foreign invasion” of industries like trucking – the federal government is now reversing course nationwide.
The DOT official tied the crackdown directly to public safety incidents, particularly highlighting California’s role in allowing drivers with questionable backgrounds. He commented on Singh being released into U.S. society despite known immigration status under what he termed “Biden administration” policy before ICE stepped up enforcement measures through this licensing review process.
“These people deserve justice,” Duffy asserted regarding the tragic outcomes of these events involving commercial vehicles, promising consequences for those whose licenses were revoked due to failing English assessments or other findings deemed necessary by federal regulators.
