Mexico’s Truckers Rush to Learn English Amid U.S. Language Enforcement

For many Mexican companies, the English language requirement had long been overlooked, especially in border regions where cultural exchange is common and enforcement lax.

However, the current U.S. administration has made this mandate a top priority, emphasizing road safety and stricter compliance after years of limited enforcement.

The central issue revolves around English proficiency.

The U.S. government has exerted significant pressure on Mexico, not only through potential tariffs and military posturing but also by tightening regulations in the trucking sector, a critical artery for billions of dollars in trade between the two nations.

In April, shortly after declaring English the official U.S. language, authorities reinstated a penalty that removes commercial drivers from the road if they fail to demonstrate adequate English skills—specifically the ability to read road signs and communicate with officials. This policy shift triggered an urgent response in Mexico, where trucking firms scrambled to provide language training to their drivers to avoid business disruptions.

Data from the Department of Transportation reveals a sharp increase in violations this year, with over 5,000 cases of Mexican truckers lacking sufficient English, compared to around 240 in 2024.

Luis Alberto Alvarado Machado, a 36-year-old driver, expressed the pressure to adapt: “We have to study. If we can’t drive, everything stops.” Drivers found in violation outside designated commercial zones along the border are prohibited from operating their vehicles until they meet the language requirements.