Workforce English training is now required for those with a CDL (Commercial Drivers License). According to the White House executive order from April 2025, the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) must enforce the new CDL truck driver compliance standards. The rationale provided in the literature, states that Americas truck drivers must “converse with the general public, understand highway traffic signs and signals in English, be able to respond to official inquiries, and to make entries on reports and records.”

Federal leadership called for the FMCSA to crack down on inspections and Out-Of-Service (OOS) procedures. Meaning that more frequent inspections, especially at weigh stations, could lead to your drivers being immediately removed. And noncompliance with these new standards means your operation is going take on all of the risks with OOS drivers:

• Missed loads can cause a chain reaction of delays
• Disrupted schedules and late deliveries
• Recruiting and insurance costs skyrocket as a result
• You still have to figure out new schedules and logistical problems

How to prepare for CDL truck driver compliance?

You have probably heard the saying “failing to plan is just planning to fail” and this situation is no different. Thankfully, we have been providing online language training solutions for businesses since 1993. Since we began, we have become leaders in corporate language training and even work with your leaders to develop a fully customized language support plan for your unique ESL workforce (who speak English as a Second Language). In fact, Language Connections will help you exceed those CDL English training standards and assist you throughout the entire process. Here’s how you can prepare:

1. Evaluate ESL truck driver English proficiency:

Before we can begin improving English language proficiency, we need to know what the problems are. Giving us an idea of pain-points can help to streamline the entire process. For instance:

• Are there any patterns, or specific mistakes you pick up on?
• Are there noticeable issues during conversations?
• Do specific CDL drivers get lost frequently?
• Do certain ESL employees avoid professional phone conversations more than others?
• Do your associates have to follow complex operations, or abide by safety instructions?
• What specific professional language skills (reading, writing, conversation etc) need to be improved?

2. Remediate with CDL truck driver compliance English training:

Our industry-specific workplace English training model works for so many reasons. Primarily because workforce English training focuses on the real language barriers that your real ESL truck drivers are having. And then we target those problem areas with the language skills they need to meet CDL truck driver compliance standards. In other words: we deliver the results you need to see for your business objectives. While centering your people and what they truly need to succeed. Here’s some examples:

3. Graduate workforce English training with confidence

Our private ESL for workers might seem like an expensive investment. But when you consider the financial and reputational costs for noncompliance, workforce English training ends up saving money in the long run. In addition to lowering your future expenditures, we also help you apply for Massachusetts' Workforce Training Fund ESOL grant. The grant funding is available for commonwealth based operations, and can be applied for essential worker trainings - like English language training for your ESL truckers.

Our interactive and engaging In-Person and Online Corporate Language Training provides English Classes for Companies online and on-site with live highly qualified native-speaking language instructors. We offer Real-Time Private and Group Corporate English Language Training. Get a Free Quote for your Industry Specific Onsite or Online Corporate English Training for employees.