Wyoming Rep. Harriet Hageman is pushing the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to tighten rules on English language proficiency (ELP) for truck drivers. Her letter on April 10, 2025, urges USDOT to enforce these existing requirements more strictly.

Why it matters: Current federal guidelines demand that commercial drivers understand highway signs and converse in English for safety reasons.

• Hageman noted changes during the Obama era that eased enforcement, making it harder to ensure all drivers meet ELP expectations.
• The number of fatal truck accidents has risen since these changes, reaching 5,837 in 2022.

The details: She points out that recent policy allows drivers without ELP to avoid penalties if they manage basic communication with inspectors.

Context: Some tools like smartphone apps and interpreters are being used to bridge communication gaps, but Hageman views them as insufficient.

Rep. Hageman argues these regulations are crucial, as a lack of English skills among drivers can lead to safety hazards, according to an Oregon press release.

There's no update yet on whether USDOT will act on this issue raised by Hageman.