US Department of Transportation Withholds $40 Million from California for Failing to Enforce English-Only Truck Driver Rule

The U.S. Department of Transportation moved to withhold more than $40 million from California, alleging the state failed to enforce federal English Language Proficiency rules for commercial truck drivers.

“By JOSH FUNK, Associated Press Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Wednesday he will withhold $40 million from California because it is the only state that is failing to enforce English language requirements for truckers”

SiliconValley

This action followed a Florida crash involving Harjinder Singh that triggered an investigation.

SiliconValley

Federal officials say California must ensure drivers can read road signs, communicate with law enforcement, and be taken out of service if they fail roadside English checks.

California counters that it already requires an English test at licensing and that its truckers have a crash rate below the national average.

The funds, largely from FMCSA’s Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program, were earmarked for roadside inspections, law enforcement training, safety audits, and public education.

Restoring the funds requires stricter enforcement, including ongoing proficiency checks during traffic stops, according to federal officials.

Federal officials cite both regulation and recent executive action as the basis for enforcement.

The Department of Transportation points to 49 CFR § 391.11(b)(2), which requires drivers to read and speak English.

Washington Examiner

Multiple outlets attribute the current enforcement push to a previous administration's executive order on English proficiency.

California disputes claims of noncompliance with these requirements.

Federal officials argue that California has not adopted compatible laws and must include English language proficiency checks in roadside inspections.

They state that noncompliant drivers must be taken out of service.

Other states initially flagged, such as New Mexico and Washington, are reported to have aligned with the federal guidance.

This leaves California as the lone holdout according to some accounts, after warnings in August to adopt rules or risk funding cuts.

The Florida crash at the center of the dispute is described differently across outlets.

“Photo:Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images News / Getty Images The Trump Administration announced it will withhold over $40 million in federal funding from California, citing the state's failure to enforce English proficiency standards for commercial truck drivers”

KFI AM 640

Some reports emphasize immigration status and alleged prior test failures.

Others focus on the illegal U-turn and findings related to English proficiency.

Harjinder Singh is reported to have caused a fatal crash by making an illegal U-turn.

He faces vehicular homicide and immigration-related charges.

According to some accounts, he held commercial licenses in California and Washington.

There are conflicting details about his work authorization at the time he obtained those licenses.

Federal actions, such as halting visas for foreign truck drivers, are mentioned as part of a broader safety crackdown.

Enforcement data and remedial demands are reported with varying levels of detail.

SiliconValley (Other) cites about 34,000 inspections since new standards took effect but only one English-language violation that led to a driver being taken out of service.

breitbart

Federal officials say California must incorporate English testing at roadside inspections and remove drivers who do not comply.

Some reports indicate that California allowed drivers with violations in other states to continue operating.

Regaining funds requires ongoing English language proficiency checks during stops, with threats of additional funding cuts over broader licensing issues.

The political and policy framing differs noticeably across various media outlets.

“byCHARLOTTE HAZARD | The National News Desk TOPICS: WASHINGTON (TNND) —U”

The National Desk

Breitbart, representing Western mainstream media, links the dispute to immigration and partisan control, citing advocacy calls for stricter immigration and licensing to protect the supply chain.

The National Desk

Editorji, an Asian media source, highlights interstate political tensions between California and Florida following the crash.

The National Desk, another Western mainstream outlet, frames the move within efforts to establish English as the national language.

Local stations like KFI AM 640 and NST Online emphasize that the withheld funds support essential safety functions such as inspections, enforcement, and audits, which are critical stakes for California if the money remains frozen.