Trump Administration Prioritizes English Proficiency for Truck Drivers

President Trump has made ensuring English proficiency for drivers on our roads—especially those holding commercial trucking licenses—a key priority of his administration.

During his 2026 State of the Union address, President Trump urged Congress to pass the “Dalilah Law.” This legislation would prohibit illegal aliens and non-citizens from obtaining Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) and enforce strict English proficiency requirements.

“Many, if not most, illegal aliens do not speak English and cannot read even the most basic road signs. That’s why tonight I’m calling on Congress to pass what we will call the Dalilah Law, barring any state from granting commercial driver’s licenses to illegal aliens,” said Trump.

The proposed legislation is named in honor of Dalilah Coleman, a young girl who was critically injured when an illegal alien from India crashed his 18-wheeler into her family’s vehicle.

On March 3, the administration reinforced this message in a  social media post, stating, “Under this President, commercial truck drivers will be proficient in English or they won’t be on the road.”

The post cited a graphic showing that, following an April 2025 announcement from Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, 12,599 drivers have been restricted from driving after failing an English test.

ProEnglish has long advocated for strong English-language proficiency requirements for all driver’s licenses, particularly for commercial drivers who operate large and potentially dangerous vehicles.

Ensuring that drivers can read road signs, understand safety regulations, and communicate effectively is essential to public safety.

We stand in full support of President Trump and the Dalilah Law, and believe this legislation represents an important step toward keeping our roads safe and protecting American families.