English skills essential for truck safety, training expert challenges Crockett
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As someone who has trained professional truck drivers for decades, I take highway safety very seriously. America’s economy depends on a national transportation network that moves goods from every state, every major highway corridor, and every community. When safety standards for commercial drivers weaken anywhere, the consequences ripple across the country, putting drivers, supply chains and professional drivers at risk.
That’s why I was deeply disturbed by Democratic Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s recent comments during a House Judiciary Committee hearing suggesting that English language proficiency is not required to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle. He equated this to the same practice as someone driving a rental car in a foreign country where they may not speak the language. His claim is misguided, dangerous, and belittles the professionalism of America’s truck drivers.
Driving an 80,000-pound commercial vehicle is not even remotely comparable to driving a passenger car. A commercial driver doesn’t just follow step-by-step instructions from point A to point B. They navigate complex highway systems, respond to emergencies, comply with law enforcement instructions, interpret roadside signs, understand weather warnings, and coordinate with dispatchers, first responders, and investigators, often under intense pressure. English language proficiency is essential for each of these responsibilities.
Across the United States, commercial trucks transport agricultural products from rural communities, consumer goods through major interstate corridors, and critical supplies to ports, factories, hospitals, and distribution centers. From coast to coast, our economy relies on professional drivers to keep freight moving safely and efficiently. This turns strong and consistent security standards from a regional issue into a national imperative.
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Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, questioned the need for truck drivers to speak English. (John Medina/Getty Images for MoveOn)
Federal law has long required commercial drivers to prove English language proficiency for good reason. A commercial driver’s license is not a checkmark on a piece of paper; It is a promise made to the public. It notifies every driver sharing the road that the person behind the wheel of the truck has been properly trained, evaluated, and held to consistent safety standards. Weakening or minimizing these requirements undermines confidence in the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) itself.
This debate is inseparable from the broader reality facing the trucking industry. Regulators across the country are uncovering bad actors who cut corners in training, falsify records or exploit loopholes to push unskilled drivers onto public roads. These so-called “CDL mills” not only compromise safety, they also devalue the hard work of legitimate drivers and reputable training schools who do things the right way.
As a training professional and president of the Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA), I see the difference every day between real, rigorous training and fake operations promising “fast” or “guaranteed” licenses. Real commercial driver training takes time. Classroom training includes hands-on skill development, supervised behind-the-wheel instruction, and clear communication between instructors and students. None of this works without a common language.
To be clear, this is not about exclusion. Trucking has always been a path to opportunity for people from different backgrounds. CVTA supports workforce expansion; But growth should never come at the expense of security. Lowering standards will not solve the labor shortage; leading to more accidents, more deaths, more scrutiny, and ultimately less good work.
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Our professional drivers, men and women who earn their living the right way, deserve better than having their jobs trivialized. To suggest that language proficiency is not important is an insult to the professionalism of drivers who pride themselves on mastering a demanding craft and meeting high expectations every day.
The solution is not new laws or political speeches. The solution is consistent, nationwide enforcement of existing security requirements. Regulators must fully enforce entry-level driver training rules, conduct meaningful inspections, and shut down rogue operators wherever they occur. Each state must continue to partner with federal agencies to ensure that every CDL on the path represents real training, real responsibility, and real competence.
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When you see a truck in the next lane, you need to make sure the driver can read signs, understand emergency instructions, and react correctly in a crisis. This trust starts with maintaining and enforcing standards that prioritize security.
We owe this to our drivers and the traveling public.
