Comment on proposed federal trucking safety rule: Know English

A proposed federal rule would make violations of commercial drivers’ English-language proficiency requirements an out-of-service violation. Public comments on the proposal are being accepted through Oct. 9, 2026.

Dalilah Coleman, five years old, suffered catastrophic injuries when an unauthorized immigrant holding a commercial driver’s license crashed an 18-wheel truck into her family’s vehicle. Dalilah survived, but her life and the lives of her family members were permanently changed. This was a preventable tragedy—and a stark warning about the consequences of failing to enforce strict commercial-driver safety and eligibility standards.

View Coleman’s recovery update here.

In Sanford, North Carolina, a young female driver, Rebecca M. new to the United States, broke her neck (and survived) and altered the life of the driver she struck in a collision where both vehicles went airborne and landed in a field. The driver at fault, Rebecca M., said she did not understand the yield sign. She spoke broken English. It was her third collision in less than two years, and she still had a driver’s license. This is only one example of why extending the proposed new law for commercial drivers is suitable for all driver’s licenses.

According to the National Department of Transportation (DOT), they have identified English proficiency as a commercial-driver safety requirement, but federal research has not established a national statistic showing how many crashes occur specifically due to drivers who cannot understand English-language traffic signs. Read more here. The lack of statistics may be due to highway patrol standards in collecting evidence and asking specific questions on language proficiency.

To prevent future tragedies, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has proposed a new rule to strengthen the enforcement of English proficiency requirements and “Out-of-Service” criteria for commercial driver’s license holders, titled the English Language Proficiency; Out of Service Criteria.

Talking points to consider for the public comments:

• Commercial truck drivers must be able to read road signs, understand emergency instructions, and communicate reliably in English to ensure public safety.
• Current enforcement gaps have allowed unqualified individuals, including unauthorized immigrants, to obtain commercial licenses and operate massive vehicles on American roads.
• The proposed DOT rule ensures that any commercial driver who fails to meet minimum English proficiency requirements is immediately placed out-of-service.
• Failing to verify the basic qualifications and language proficiency of commercial drivers puts every American family at risk.
• Urge the federal government to extend English proficiency requirements for all standard driver’s licenses.
• From 2020 to 2025, an estimated 11 million unauthorized immigrants entered the U.S.
• In 2025, the Pew Research Center estimated 52 million (15% of the U.S. population) is foreign-born.

How You Can Help:

To enact this rule, public feedback is vital, and commenting on it is simple. The DOT is legally required to review every submission.

1.     Keep it brief: Your comment does not need to be length. One or two thoughtful sentences are enough.

2.     Use your own words: Write an individual statement using your own phrasing or select a few of the talking points provided above.

3.     Protect your privacy: Identify yourself as a citizen, but do not provide specific personal details. You can submit your comment anonymously.

Submit Your Comment:

Click the green button on the page HERE to post your formal comments to the Federal Register before 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 9, 2026.

Sept. 27, 2026

Provided.