What Trump’s New Trucking Regulations Mean for Freight Brokers and Carriers in 2025

As freight brokers and logistics professionals, staying compliant with federal trucking regulations is essential to keeping freight moving efficiently and avoiding costly delays. Recent executive actions by the Trump administration could significantly impact your business, especially if you rely on foreign truck drivers or immigrant labor in your carrier network.

English Language Requirement for Truck Drivers: What Freight Brokers Need to Know

On April 28, 2025, President Trump issued a new executive order on trucking regulations, mandating that commercial truck drivers in the U.S. must demonstrate English literacy. Although this requirement has technically existed under FMCSA rules, the new order signals a much stricter enforcement effort.

This has direct implications for carrier compliance:

• Drivers must read and understand traffic signs written in English.

• Drivers must be able to communicate with DOT officers and law enforcement.

• Accurate completion of shipping documents and logbooks is required in English.

Key Risk for Freight Brokers: Non-compliant drivers can now be placed out of service on the spot, disrupting schedules and increasing detention or layover fees. If you're a third-party logistics provider (3PL) or freight forwarder, this affects both your timelines and your bottom line.

Immigration Crackdowns Affecting Truck Driver Supply

This English requirement comes on top of the Trump administration’s broader immigration crackdown. Foreign-born drivers who previously worked under temporary legal status (such as TPS or H-2B programs) may now face additional restrictions, leading to:

• Driver shortages, especially in the South and Midwest,

• Increased freight rates due to reduced driver availability,

• Higher insurance and compliance risk if carriers are not properly vetted.

For freight brokerages, especially those using owner-operators or small trucking companies, this is a potential disruption to your freight network.

Carrier Vetting and Compliance: What You Should Be Doing

To protect your business and keep freight moving, now is the time to double down on carrier monitoring and compliance procedures. Here’s how:

1. Review Your Carrier Onboarding Process

Ensure your carriers are aware of the new trucking regulations in 2025. Require proof of English language proficiency or documented communication policies.

2. Educate Drivers Through Trusted Carriers

If you work with foreign drivers, recommend English as a Second Language (ESL) programs or literacy workshops that meet FMCSA standards.

3. Have Backup Carriers Ready

Service delays from out-of-service citations can hurt your reputation. Maintain a backup carrier pool with compliant drivers to ensure load coverage.

4. Stay Informed on Immigration Policy

Changes to immigration law will continue to affect the availability of truck drivers in the U.S. Partner with carriers who prioritize legal compliance and workforce development.

Final Thoughts: Freight Brokers Must Adapt to 2025 Trucking Policies

The landscape of U.S. freight transportation is shifting. These new truck driver regulations are part of a broader policy trend that affects how brokers and carriers manage operations, compliance, and labor.

At CJP Logistics, we help brokers and shippers navigate these changes with real-time carrier monitoring, fraud prevention, and freight compliance strategies. If you're looking to future-proof your freight business, now is the time to act.

Contact us today to learn how we can help you build a stronger, more compliant freight network.