The Department of Transportation (DOT) announced on Wednesday that California has had over $40 million in federal highway safety grants withheld due to the state’s noncompliance with English proficiency guidelines for commercial drivers.
“This summer, I will inform states that failure to enforce the Trump administration’s English language requirements will result in cessation of funding,” stated Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in a release. “California uniquely does not permit big rig drivers to read road signs or communicate with law enforcement.”
“This is a crucial safety matter affecting you and your family on the roads across America.”
Duffy mentioned that California Governor Gavin Newsom’s allegations of obstructing federal law can hinder his actions.
In response, Newsom’s spokesperson, Diana Crofts Pelayo, said the transportation secretary “should familiarize himself with the rules of the road.” She also noted that California’s commercial truck drivers have a lower accident rate compared to the national average.
The Hill also sought comments from the California Department of Transportation.
Back in April, President Trump signed an executive order requiring that commercial truck drivers must be fluent in English, just a couple of months after another order designated English as the national language.
In May, Duffy aligned Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Administration (FMSA) policies with the president’s orders.
The withheld funding of around $40.7 million comes from the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP), which provides states with money for roadside inspections, traffic enforcement, safety audits for trucking companies, and educational campaigns, according to the DOT.
In fiscal year 2024, MCSAP funding amounted to $480 million, as reported by FMSA.
Earlier in August, Duffy warned that funding would be withheld from California, Washington, and New Mexico unless they created “remediation plans” within 30 days to comply with federal requirements.
“We’re not the only ones expressing concerns about unclear regulations. This is fundamentally about ensuring the safety of people while traveling—families, loved ones, children,” Duffy remarked during that time.
On September 25, as the grace period lapsed, California Department of Transportation General Counsel Alicia Fowler wrote to DOT Chief Counsel Jesse Ellison detailing the state’s efforts toward compliance.
The letter, obtained by The Hill, highlighted that California law requires commercial truck drivers to pass an evaluation that tests their “ability to read and understand simple English used in highway traffic and directional signs.” Furthermore, according to the California Commercial Driver Handbook, all skills assessments must be conducted in English.
The letter concluded that California’s licensing procedure, which verifies English proficiency prior to issuing a license, meets federal standards.
The Hill reached out to the DOT for feedback regarding the letter.
