The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced that it will withhold $40.6 million in federal funding from California, citing the state’s failure to fully enforce a rule requiring commercial truck drivers to demonstrate English proficiency. According to federal law, truck drivers must be able to read road signs, respond to official inquiries, and complete paperwork in English. The DOT argues that California’s existing licensing system does not adequately ensure that all drivers meet these requirements. In response, California officials assert that their system already complies with federal standards. This penalty affects California’s ability to receive reimbursements for truck safety programs, including inspections and enforcement activities, under the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program.

Here’s a more detailed and up-to-date account of the federal funding dispute between the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and California over enforcement of English proficiency requirements for commercial truck drivers:

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📌 What the Federal Government Says

1. Federal Regulation Background
Under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules — specifically 49 C.F.R. § 391.11(b)(2) — all commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers are required to:

Read and speak English sufficiently to converse with the public,

Understand highway traffic signs and signals in English,

Respond to official inquiries, and

Make entries on reports and records.

In April 2025, President Trump issued an executive order directing stronger enforcement of these English language proficiency (ELP) standards. This rescinded a less strict 2016 policy that discouraged placing drivers out of service for ELP violations.

2. Non-Conformity Finding & Funding Pull
The FMCSA found that California’s current enforcement does not adequately implement the federal ELP requirement — particularly that inspectors must assess and take action at roadside inspections when drivers fail the standard. Because of this, FMCSA withdrew approval of California’s Commercial Vehicle Safety Plans for FY 2024 and 2025. As a result, California will not be reimbursed for any Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) spending after October 15, 2025 until the state adopts and enforces a law compatible with the federal rule.

The withheld amount — roughly $40.6 million — comes from federal grants that reimburse the state for safety programs such as roadside inspections, truck safety audits, enforcement activities, and public education campaigns.

Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy stated publicly that California is “the only state in the nation that refuses to ensure big rig drivers can read our road signs and communicate with law enforcement.”

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⚖️ California’s Position & Legal Pushback

1. Compliance Claim
California argues it already enforces English proficiency as part of its commercial licensing:

The state’s commercial road test must be administered entirely in English,

Interpreters are not allowed during the skills test, and

State law bars issuance or renewal of a commercial driver’s license to anyone unable “to read and understand simple English used in highway traffic and directional signs.”

California officials have asserted these measures satisfy federal standards and that there is no explicit federal requirement that drivers be tested for English proficiency during roadside inspections.

2. Lawsuit Challenging the Withholding
In December 2025, the state filed a lawsuit against DOT, FMCSA, and Secretary Duffy — claiming the funding cut is “arbitrary and capricious,” threatens public safety, and lacks legal basis. California also points to data showing its commercial drivers have lower fatal crash rates than the national average.

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🔥 Broader Context & Related Actions

1. CDL Revocations & Broader Enforcement Pressure
The dispute ties into broader federal pressure on California over commercial driver licenses issued to non-U.S. citizens. In late 2025, a federal audit identified about 17,000 non-domiciled CDLs that didn’t comply with verification standards. California planned to revoke these licenses, though a lawsuit by immigrant advocacy groups has delayed that process until March 2026. U.S. DOT warned that failure to meet compliance deadlines could cost California up to an additional $160 million in funding.

2. National Policy Trend
DOT also notified Washington state and New Mexico about similar ELP enforcement deficiencies earlier and threatened funding cuts if those states do not adopt compatible enforcement.

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🛣️ Why This Matters

Safety: Federal officials argue that English proficiency is essential for safe operation of large trucks — especially for understanding signs and communicating with law enforcement at roadside inspections.

Federal vs. State Authority: The conflict highlights a broader tension over how federal safety standards should be implemented at the state level, especially when state laws appear to cover similar ground in different ways.

Political Dynamics: The issue intersects with national debates over immigration, language policy, and federal funding priorities, drawing criticism and support across political lines.