Canadian Truckers Can Now Be PARKED in the US Over English — Here’s How the Test Works

Over 19,000 commercial truck drivers were placed out of service at US weigh stations for English proficiency violations in under a year—and a new FMCSA proposed rule is about to make this roadside enforcement permanent. In this video, veteran AZ owner-operator Mike Lavoie breaks down exactly how the US English proficiency test works at the scale, what questions inspectors ask, and why Canadian truckers crossing into Michigan and beyond face serious risks of having their rigs parked on the spot. Discover the history behind the sudden enforcement spike, why Mexican border zones received an exception that Canadian cross-border drivers didn't get, and the true financial cost to carriers and owner-operators when a load gets stranded. Mike explains the crucial difference between an accent and communication safety, addressing real concerns from French-Canadian and newcomer drivers. Learn the exact two-step roadside inspection process—from the initial officer interview to highway sign comprehension—and what steps drivers and fleets must take right now to protect their CDL, avoid out-of-service orders, and navigate FMCSA DataQs challenges. 00:00 Inspection at the Michigan Scale 01:56 FMCSA's Proposed Out-of-Service Rule 03:03 From 33 to 19,000 Parked Drivers 05:38 The Southern Border Exception 06:50 The 2-Step Roadside English Test 08:40 What Failing Costs Drivers & Carriers 10:59 Impact on Canadian & French Drivers 12:54 What's Real vs. Overblown 14:18 3 Things Drivers & Fleets Must Do 15:49 What to Watch Next #Trucking #FMCSA #CanadianTruckers Sources: Federal Register: English Language Proficiency; Out of Service Criteria CCJ: proposed trucker language rule draws praise and pushback CCJ: FMCSA proposes OOS rule Truck News: drivers not proficient in English to be placed out of service (2025) DOT Motus: ELP driver guide