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DOL Clarifies English-Language Rules Apply to H-2A Agricultural Truckers

The Department of Labor confirmed that seasonal agricultural workers operating commercial motor vehicles under H-2A visa sponsorship must meet federal English-language proficiency standards. A Texas truck driver raised this question, and the DOL provided a clear answer.

The ruling applies uniformly across all temporary labor certifications issued by DOL. Employers must enforce the requirement without discrimination. Federal regulations mandate that any driver operating a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce demonstrate adequate English proficiency to communicate with the public, understand highway signage and respond to official inquiries.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration enforces these standards through roadside inspections and has authority to place non-compliant drivers out of service. H-2A workers face identical language requirements as other commercial drivers, though enforcement data specific to this worker population remains unclear as federal agencies have not publicly tracked violations or out-of-service orders involving seasonal agricultural drivers.