The English language transition in the European aerodrome rules reached January 2026. The requirement concerns vehicle drivers intending to operate on an aerodrome’s manoeuvring area. It is not a blanket rule requiring every airport employee to obtain an English certificate.
Who is covered?
Regulation (EU) No 139/2014, including ADR.OPS.B.024 and ADR.OPS.B.029, addresses driving authorisation and language proficiency. Whether a tug operator, inspection driver or other employee is covered depends on the driving duties and operating area, not simply the job title. Working only in a terminal or handling baggage does not by itself bring an employee within this manoeuvring-area driver requirement.
What changed in January 2026?
The transition allowed driving authorisations before demonstration of operational English proficiency until January 2026. The rules also address other languages used for radio communication with the aerodrome’s air traffic services unit. Those language requirements already applied from 7 January 2023.
EASA also explains that a member state can permit an English-language derogation for one or more aerodromes on the basis of a safety assessment. Operators should use the rules and decisions applicable to their aerodrome when organising driver compliance. This concerns whether English assessment is required for a particular operation, not the acceptance of English4Aviation’s certificate.
What does operational language proficiency mean?
The assessment concerns speaking, listening and interaction, including intelligible exchanges and resolving misunderstandings. It is not a general reading-and-writing examination. Operational proficiency is Level 4; the relevant driver rules and assessment criteria should be used rather than assuming that all pilot-licensing provisions apply unchanged.
A practical language exercise for a driver
Illustrative training prompt: a driver cannot identify the location mentioned in a spoken message. Practise stating what was understood, identifying the missing location and asking for clarification. Repeat with a change to the planned task. This is a language exercise, not an instruction about vehicle movement or air traffic procedures.
An operator’s preparation checklist
- Identify which staff drive on the manoeuvring area and the languages used for ATS radio communication.
- Confirm applicable aerodrome rules, any national derogation and the driving-authorisation process.
- Arrange relevant language assessment and retain the result with the required records.
- Keep language proficiency, radio training and driving authorisation as distinct requirements.
English4Aviation airport-driver testing
English4Aviation offers an online airport-driver language test for €159, including results and official certificate delivery within 24 hours. Our official ICAO English certificate is accepted in every EASA member state. A language certificate does not itself grant an aerodrome driving authorisation.
See the airport-driver English test page for the service and booking information.
Sources and further reading
EASA: English language proficiency for aerodrome vehicle drivers
