---
title: English language proficiency basics for drivers
description: The § 391.11(b)(2) qualification standard, FMCSA carrier assessment guidance, and dated roadside enforcement policy references—without promising inspection outcomes.
date: 2026-10-22
lastReviewed: 2026-10-23
canonical: /resources/guides/english-language-proficiency-basics
---
Drivers must read and speak English sufficiently to converse with the general public, understand highway traffic signs and signals, respond to official inquiries, and make entries on reports and records ([49 CFR 391.11(b)(2)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-391.11)).

## Short answer



Part 391 states the qualification; it does not prescribe one nationwide test format. Carriers must not permit a person to drive unless they are qualified, including the English proficiency element. FMCSA publishes voluntary carrier-assessment guidance and internal roadside enforcement policy for its personnel. DQid ELP Training and ELP Testing record completion and scores; they do not by themselves satisfy § 391.11 or guarantee roadside outcomes.



## What the regulation requires



### 
  

### 
    A motor carrier must not require or permit a person to drive a CMV unless
    that person is qualified, including the English proficiency element in
    paragraph (b)(2).
  


  

### 
    The driver must handle public conversation, traffic signs and signals,
    official inquiries, and written reports and records in English.
  





## FMCSA guidance for carrier assessments

FMCSA guidance document **FMCSA-DQ-391.11-FAQ001 (2025-05-22)** states that because § 391.11(a) prohibits permitting an unqualified person to drive, a motor carrier **should assess** qualifications including § 391.11(b)(2). It recommends an English manager interview (trip origin and destination, hours of service, license information, shipping papers, and equipment subject to inspection) **without** interpreters or cue cards during that interview, and sign review using MUTCD examples. **Effective date: May 22, 2025** ([FMCSA carrier assessment FAQ](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/what-should-motor-carrier-do-assess-cmv-drivers-english-language-proficiency-elp-during)).

File whatever evidence your policy requires on the driver qualification file alongside other Part 391 items ([49 CFR 391.51](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-391.51)).

## Roadside enforcement references (dated)

FMCSA policy **MC-SEE-2026-0002** (**last updated April 16, 2026**) provides guidance to FMCSA enforcement personnel on evaluating whether drivers meet § 391.11(b)(2) and on placing drivers out of service when violations are found ([FMCSA policy page](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/enforcement/fmcsa-elp-guidance-roadside-policy-mc-see-2026-0002)).

FMCSA enforcement FAQs (**issued October 6, 2026**) answer that the three § 391.11(b)(2) violation codes were **“implemented in SafeSpect on June 25, 2025”**, that SafeSpect marks violations under codes **391.11B2Q** and **391.11B2S** as out-of-service and **391.11B2Z** (U.S.–Mexico border commercial zones) as non-out-of-service when applicable, and that if a driver fails Step 1 of the ELP assessment an inspector **should not proceed to Step 2** ([ELP roadside enforcement FAQs](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/english-language-proficiency-roadside-enforcement-policy-faqs-0)).


  Roadside results depend on the inspector, the driver, and current enforcement
  materials. Completing DQid ELP products does not guarantee qualification or
  passing a live assessment.


## Example in DQid

ELP Training and Testing statuses can sit on the driver file next to medical and MVR items so reviewers see one timeline.



## Sources

- [49 CFR 391.11 — General qualifications of drivers](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-391.11) (eCFR text reviewed 2026-10-20)
- [49 CFR 391.51 — Driver qualification files](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-391.51) (eCFR text reviewed 2026-10-20)
- [FMCSA — Assessing ELP during driver qualification (effective 2025-05-22)](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/what-should-motor-carrier-do-assess-cmv-drivers-english-language-proficiency-elp-during)
- [FMCSA — ELP roadside policy MC-SEE-2026-0002 (updated 2026-04-16)](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/enforcement/fmcsa-elp-guidance-roadside-policy-mc-see-2026-0002)
- [FMCSA — ELP roadside enforcement FAQs (issued 2026-10-06; SafeSpect 2025-06-25)](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/english-language-proficiency-roadside-enforcement-policy-faqs-0)