U.S. News
California Enforces English Rules for Truckers After Pressure
Clear Facts
- California Governor Gavin Newsom has agreed to enforce federal rules requiring commercial drivers to demonstrate English proficiency.
- The rule targets holders of a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), such as truck drivers and commercial bus operators.
- California’s move comes after federal officials withheld $40 million in safety funding and threatened further cuts.
The policy reversal follows a standoff between California leaders and the Trump administration’s Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy, over safety regulations shaping American highways.
CDL holders driving commercial vehicles are now required to prove they can read and speak English; standard licenses for personal vehicles remain unaffected by these requirements.
For months, California’s refusal to comply led to financial penalties and mounting pressure as other states had long enforced the federal regulation.
“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. This is a fundamental safety issue that impacts you and your family on America’s roads.”
Federal inspectors found that California issued only one English proficiency violation out of 34,000 checks, while other states consistently cited drivers in similar situations.
High-profile traffic accidents increased calls for compliance, including a tragic case in Florida where a California-licensed commercial driver could not communicate with police.
“I shouldn’t have had to threaten to withhold millions in funding for California to come to their senses and enforce the law.”
With the new agreement, the California Highway Patrol will place drivers out-of-service for English proficiency failures, and CDL testing in California will soon be English-only.
Over 600 drivers have already lost their commercial licenses as the state addresses fraudulent or expired documents linked to non-domiciled drivers.
The Department of Transportation says California could see $40 million in previously withheld funding returned if the new enforcement remains consistent and effective.
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