Trucking Laws · Nationwide · November 5, 2026

DOT Says 33,000 Truck Drivers Have Been Put Out of Service for English Proficiency as Operation Highway Shield Results Arrive From Arkansas and Virginia

By Big Rig Daily Staff

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) says 33,000 commercial drivers have now been placed out of service nationwide for failing English-language proficiency requirements, according to FreightWaves, which reported the figure as of Nov. 4, 2026. The numbers came as Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced more details about Operation Highway Shield, a federal and state enforcement campaign aimed at commercial vehicles. The department's own announcement is on the DOT website.

The nationwide totals

According to the DOT's Nov. 4 announcement, as reported by FreightWaves, federal authorities have:

• Placed 33,000 drivers out of service for failing English-language proficiency requirements.
• Revoked 31,000 commercial driver's licenses that the department described as improperly issued to unvetted foreign drivers.
• Shut down nearly 10,000 commercial driving schools that federal officials characterized as operating improperly.

FreightWaves notes that the department did not provide a detailed accounting of how those nationwide totals were calculated. The DOT also said that in August, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) removed 110 training schools associated with more than 5,000 drivers who failed English-language proficiency tests and placed another 160 schools on notice.

What happened in Arkansas

The Arkansas Department of Transportation says Arkansas Highway Police worked with FMCSA, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations and Immigration and Customs Enforcement from 6 a.m. Oct. 27 to 6 a.m. Oct. 29. Over those 48 hours, the agency reports:

• 1,724 inspections conducted.
• 393 drivers and commercial vehicles placed out of service.
• 183 English-language proficiency disqualifications.
• More than 1,000 motor carrier safety violations.
• 74 immigration violations referred for federal enforcement.
• 44 criminal arrests.
• One stolen trailer recovered.

Arrests are not convictions. Big Rig Daily covered early Arkansas results last week, and these are the final totals released by the state.

What happened in Virginia

FreightWaves reports that FMCSA's Virginia Division worked with Virginia State Police and the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles on inspections in Stephens City. The operation produced 86 Level I inspections, 100 violations, 11 vehicles placed out of service and two drivers placed out of service, including one for an English-language proficiency violation.

Earlier waves

FreightWaves says the first wave, in Florida in March, placed 176 drivers out of service, including 54 for English proficiency. A second wave, July 28 to 30 in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Ohio, placed 766 drivers and vehicles out of service, with 36 English-language proficiency violations, and recovered about $1 million in stolen cargo. The outlet calls Arkansas the third major wave announced by the DOT.

What it means for truckers

For truck drivers, roadside English checks are now part of routine inspections in many states. Big Rig Daily's guide to the English proficiency rule explains how the out-of-service standard works.

Quick facts

• Nationwide: 33,000 drivers out of service for English proficiency, per the DOT.
• Arkansas: 1,724 inspections and 393 drivers and vehicles out of service in 48 hours.
• Virginia: 86 Level I inspections and 100 violations in Stephens City.
• Caveat: the DOT did not detail how the national totals were calculated.

FAQ

What is Operation Highway Shield?

It is a commercial vehicle enforcement and highway criminal interdiction operation run by FMCSA with state and federal partners, according to ARDOT.

Were the 44 people arrested in Arkansas convicted?

No. The sources report arrests, which are not convictions.

How did the DOT count 33,000 drivers?

The department did not provide a detailed accounting, FreightWaves reports.

A question for readers

Truckers, have English proficiency checks changed how your roadside inspections go this year?

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