US Bars Over Truck 7000 Drivers Over English Proficiency Tests, Indians Hit Hard

A newly reinstated federal rule mandating rigorous English proficiency tests for commercial truck drivers in the United States is sparking alarm among the industry and immigrant communities, with thousands of drivers, particularly those of Indian origin, being taken off the road.

The measure, reinforced by an executive order from the Trump administration in May, requires commercial drivers to demonstrate sufficient English skills to read road signs, converse with the public, and communicate effectively with law enforcement. Critics argue the sudden, strict enforcement unfairly targets immigrant workers, threatening to exacerbate an existing national truck driver shortage.

Impact on Indian-Origin Drivers

Data released by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and analyzed by The Washington Post indicates that since June, over 6,000 commercial truckers have been placed "out-of-service" following roadside English-language checks. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy confirmed the escalating numbers, stating last week on X that 7,248 drivers had been grounded as of October 2025, The Times of India reported.

Indian-origin drivers, who constitute a significant portion of the U.S. commercial trucking workforce, are disproportionately affected. The stricter enforcement gained traction following a fatal road incident in Florida. The driver involved, Harjinder Singh, 28, originally from India, failed a post-accident English assessment, correctly answering only two of twelve questions. Singh has pleaded not guilty to vehicular homicide charges, but the high-profile case has been cited by federal officials to justify the crackdown.

Job Loss Fears and Industry Backlash

The crackdown is fueling widespread fear of job losses and singling out based on ethnicity.

Livelihood Threat: Driver groups, including the Sikh Coalition, have labeled the policy a targeted effort to remove immigrants, stating it is "an effort to remove approximately 194,000 non-domiciled drivers from the workforce." Many Indian drivers, especially older immigrants, are concerned that they may lose their jobs as rapidly as the rules are being enforced.

Subjective Testing: Industry experts are questioning the fairness and consistency of the roadside tests. "English proficiency is such a subjective standard," said Brandon Wiseman, president of Trucksafe Consulting, highlighting the lack of clear, consistent assessment criteria.

Training Response: In response to the high failure rate, commercial driving schools are quickly adapting. Eli Soler, who runs a Miami-based school, confirmed he has added mock English tests to his classes to prepare drivers for the stringent roadside checks.

Despite the industry backlash, Secretary Duffy firmly defended the policy, arguing it is an essential safety measure: "Americans are a lot safer on roads alongside truckers who can understand and interpret our traffic signs." The Department of Transportation is also leveraging financial pressure to ensure compliance, announcing that California stands to lose over $40 million in federal funding for refusing to enforce the rule, with Duffy calling out the state for its refusal to ensure "big rig drivers can read our road signs."

While officials argue the policy enhances public safety, critics maintain that there is no clear data linking English proficiency to accident rates. The economic impact on a critical supply chain industry and the livelihood of immigrant drivers, particularly from the Indian and Latino communities, remains a significant and growing concern.