2. English Language Proficiency (ELP)
What Is English Language Proficiency (ELP)?
Since the 1930s, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has required that commercial vehicle drivers display a sufficient understanding of the English language to safely complete the functions of the job, including written and verbal communication. While this provision has been in place for 90 years, a 2016 government policy changed the enforcement of this provision, and a lack of proficiency in English was no longer considered an out-of-service violation. In May 2025, the U.S. Department of Transportation began to reinforce this qualification, considering it an out-of-service violation again. The ELP enforcement is designed to improve highway safety, ensuring that commercial truck drivers can effectively understand road signs and communicate with safety officers and personnel.
More than 13,000 commercial truck drivers were placed out-of-service in 2025 for not displaying a proficiency in English. As the DOT continues to reform its enforcement policies, more drivers and carriers will exit the industry, leading to lower flatbed trucking capacity for shippers.
What is PGT Trucking’s Solution?
PGT Trucking ensures that all flatbed truck drivers display a proficiency in English during the recruitment process, and this is further evaluated in person during our mandatory Driver Orientation and Training. We also offer advanced training courses and videos for drivers to continue their development of the English language.
