AUSTIN, TEXAS - AUGUST 15: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during a news conference in the State Capitol on August 15, 2025 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
TEXAS - Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday directed the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to strictly enforce federal English language proficiency requirements for commercial drivers on all state roadways.
Zero-tolerance Enforcement
Abbott said the "zero-tolerance" enforcement is aimed at enhancing highway safety and preventing accidents by ensuring drivers can communicate clearly. The directive applies to all commercial drivers, whether they operate across state lines or only within Texas.
What they're saying:
"Every commercial driver license operator on Texas roadways must be able to communicate clearly in English to ensure compliance with traffic laws, follow safety directions, and prevent accidents," Abbott said. "This approach will keep Texans safe while keeping our economy moving."
What's next:
At the governor’s direction, DPS Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Troopers and inspectors will conduct English Language Proficiency reviews for commercial license operators. According to the press release, these evaluations are a "critical measure" for roadway safety and compliance with federal regulations.
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The backstory:
Since June 25, 2025, following a directive from President Donald Trump for full enforcement of the federal requirements, DPS and partner agencies have taken enforcement action against approximately 445 commercial vehicle drivers in Texas for English proficiency violations. About 28 of those drivers held Texas licenses, while roughly 336 were licensed in Mexico. The remainder were licensed in other states and countries.
Abbott has also directed the DPS to stop issuing new intrastate commercial driver licenses to any driver who cannot sufficiently communicate in English with department personnel.
The Source: Information in this article is from Governor Greg Abbott's office.