The U.S. is stepping up enforcement of its English proficiency requirement for commercial truck drivers, disrupting cross-border freight between Mexico and the U.S. The rule, which has been on the books for years, requires drivers to speak and read enough English to understand road signs and communicate with officials. Recently, inspectors have been sidelining drivers who fail to meet the standard, particularly those operating under B-1 visas.
This has led to a noticeable reduction in the pool of available drivers for northbound shipments from Mexico, shrinking capacity on those lanes. As a result, rates on northbound freight have spiked sharply, with dry-van spot rates climbing by nearly $1 per mile in some cases. Rejection rates for tenders at the border are also rising, indicating tighter market conditions and more carriers turning down loads they can’t cover.
Carriers and brokers are responding by adjusting pricing and seeking ways to help drivers meet the requirement. Some companies are rolling out English training programs focused on trucking terminology and communication with inspectors, along with pre-shipment language checks to avoid non-compliance. These efforts aim to keep cross-border operations running smoothly despite the stricter enforcement.
