SBTC Files Comment with @AdvocacySBA @SecDuffy and @USDOT on Medical Examiner Enforcement of President's Executive Order on Trucker English Proficiency

> > Sent: Friday, May 02, 2025 at 9:49 PM
> > From: "James Lamb" <JimLamb@usa.com>
> > To: "Lundegren, Bruce E." <Bruce.Lundegren@sba.gov>
> > Cc: Secretaryduffy@dot.gov, sue.lawless@dot.gov, "Laurence Socci" <laurence.socci@soccilawfirm.com>
> > Subject: Small Business Transportation Sector Roundtable
> > 
> > DOT agency: 
> > 
> > @FMCSA
> > 
> > Name and citation of regulation:
> > 
> > FMCSA's Form MCSA-5875 last revised April 1, 2025 directs medical examiners as follows: 
> > 
> > "When determining a driver's physical qualification, please note that English language proficiency (49 CFR part 391.11 General qualifications of drivers) is not factored into that determination."
> > 
> > https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/2025-04/Medical%20Examination%20Report%20Form%20MCSA-5875%20508pdf.pdf
> > 
> > A very brief summary of the issue (no more that 3-5 sentences):
> > 
> > FMCSA's form seems to conflict with 49 CFR part 391.11 and President Trump's April 28, 2025 Executive Order requiring trucker English proficiency.
> > 
> > https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/enforcing-commonsense-rules-of-the-road-for-americas-truck-drivers/
> > 
> > How does this issue burden small business?
> > The SBTC estimates there are already thousands of truckers on the road who don't speak, understand, or read English sufficiently. In addition to the President"s out-of-service directive, requiring medical examiners to certify English proficiency would help enforce the President's order.
> > 
> > What would you like the agency to do?
> > 
> > Amend the form to instruct medical examiners to read:
> > 
> > "When determining a driver's physical qualification, please note that English language proficiency (49 CFR part 391.11 General qualifications of drivers) shall be factored into that determination."
> >  
> > How would this change benefit small business?
> > 
> > This change would follow the President's order and remove truckers who cannot understand road signs and police emergency warnings like "slow down... accident ahead..." thereby saving the lives of small business truckers and the general motoring public.
> > 
> > Thanks for the opportunity to comment.
> > 
> > Regards,
> > 
> > JAMES LAMB
> > SBTC Executive Director