USDOT Holds Back $40M from CA for Not Following English Proficiency Rules for Truck Drivers

California Accountability Over Truck Driver English Proficiency Requirements

California, under Democratic control, is facing scrutiny for its failure to enforce English proficiency standards for truck drivers, which has led to fatal incidents. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that the Trump administration intends to withhold $40 million from the state, emphasizing that California “cannot articulate its priorities.”

In a recent social media post, Duffy highlighted the importance of this issue, noting that the withholding of funds is directly related to California’s disregard for English requirements for truck drivers: “You can play all you want, but not at the cost of American lives.”

The situation has gained attention after an accident involving Harijinder Singh, an illegal immigrant truck driver, who allegedly killed three people in Florida due to an illegal U-turn. Reports indicate that California had issued commercial licenses to drivers despite existing regulations.

Duffy pointed out that California is uniquely negligent, as it does not require truck drivers to read road signs or communicate effectively with law enforcement. He reiterated that this poses a significant safety risk for families on the road.

A press release from the Department of Transportation indicated that Singh had failed an English proficiency test and could not accurately identify traffic signs following the crash. Duffy noted, “If the state had followed the rules, this driver would never have gotten behind the wheel…” He criticized California’s immigration policies for allowing unqualified foreign drivers to obtain licenses.

Interestingly, the report also mentioned that Singh was issued commercial driver’s licenses in both Washington State and California, raising questions about oversight. Video footage from the incident shows the moment Singh made the illegal U-turn, leading to the crash with a minivan.

Singh is reported to have crossed into the U.S. illegally in 2018, with this incident being part of a broader concern regarding foreign drivers obtaining licenses under lax policies. Many drivers enter the country on tourist visas, which complicates the issue further.

American Truckers, a group advocating for stricter regulations, expressed their frustration through a social media post, emphasizing that only those who enter legally, assimilate into American culture, and obtain the necessary licenses should be allowed to drive commercially.