California’s Truck Driver Regulations Under Scrutiny
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated on FOX Business’ “The Bottom Line” that California is disregarding the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) English language requirements for truck drivers, which could result in a loss of $40 million in federal funding.
Following a tragic incident where an illegal immigrant truck driver killed three individuals, the Trump administration is tightening truck driver criteria. Duffy pointed out that California is the only state to overlook existing rules, leading to the decision to withhold federal funds.
“It’s pretty straightforward. This has been a long-standing rule that previous administrations didn’t enforce,” Duffy explained. “To operate an 18-wheeler, a semi, or a school bus, you need to understand and speak English. There’s a test for this when obtaining your Commercial Driver’s License.” He noted that many states failed to comply, prompting notifications for adherence.
Duffy criticized California and Gov. Gavin Newsom, suggesting that the Democratic leadership seems to prioritize illegal immigrants over public safety. “We have $40 million directed to California, but they’re not following the rule,” he said.
In a related case, Harjinder Singh, an Indian citizen living in the U.S. illegally, faces charges of vehicular homicide from an incident in Florida, where he made an illegal U-turn, leading to three fatalities. Video evidence showed a car colliding with Singh’s truck, which was blocking traffic. The DOT released information indicating that Singh failed an English proficiency test, answering only two of twelve questions correctly.
An investigation revealed that Singh entered the U.S. unlawfully in 2018 and later obtained a CDL in California. Duffy concerns that withholding funds might impact California Highway Patrol officers. He expressed support for the patrol, alleging that Newsom’s administration is protecting lawbreakers instead of prioritizing public safety.
Duffy remarked that many semi-truck collisions involve drivers who lack language skills, posing dangers on the roads. “A significant number of accidents are caused by drivers who don’t understand the language or have limited comprehension of road signs,” he noted.
In response, a spokesperson for Governor Newsom’s office claimed Duffy needs to educate himself on the facts. “California’s fatal crash rate for CDL holders is almost 40% lower than the national average,” they stated, adding that Texas, which has more CDL holders, shows a higher fatal crash rate.
Additionally, Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently announced the suspension of worker visas for commercial truck drivers, citing concerns over the increasing number of foreign drivers operating large vehicles. According to 2023 data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 16% of truck drivers in the U.S. were born outside the country.
