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Two commercial drivers in Alabama were among the first ticketed under a revived federal rule
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that requires truckers to speak and read English. The Department of Transportation is now enforcing a Trump-era executive order signed in April
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directing officials to take drivers off the road if they fail basic English requirements
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The move reverses the Obama-era policy that issued warnings instead. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed in May that the rule would now be enforced nationwide
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Drivers must be able to read signs, talk to police and keep records all in English
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Industry reaction is split. The American Trucking Association says it fixes uneven enforcement
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But advocates warn it could lead to racial profiling and worsen the trucker shortage
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The Sikh coalition says roadside language checks could unfairly target drivers based on accent or appearance
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A federal board estimates nearly 4% of CDL holders have limited English skills
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More than 15,000 language-related violations were reported in the last two years, with Texas leading the list
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Critics say the new policy could sideline drivers without fixing bigger issues like low pay or poor training
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