FMCSA Proposes Permanent Out-of-Service Rule for English Proficiency Violations

FMCSA is proposing to make English-language proficiency violations a permanent reason to place commercial drivers out of service.

Under the proposal, drivers who cannot sufficiently communicate in English or understand highway signs could be ordered off the road. Similar enforcement is already being used under current federal policy, but FMCSA wants to formally add the out-of-service requirement to federal regulations.

FMCSA says more than 26,000 drivers have been placed out of service for English-proficiency violations since stricter enforcement resumed.

The proposal is not yet a final rule. Public comments are open through October 9.