California Pushes Back Against Federal Funding Cuts
California officials are disputing claims from the Trump administration that the state is failing to enforce English language proficiency (ELP) standards for commercial truck drivers. The disagreement has led the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to withhold more than $40 million in federal truck safety funding.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the funding freeze, claiming California is the only state not ensuring that commercial drivers can read road signs and communicate in English. “This is a fundamental safety issue,” Duffy said.
In response, California Governor Gavin Newsom called the accusations false, saying the state already enforces English proficiency requirements. “Facts don’t lie, but the Trump administration sure does,” Newsom wrote in a social media post. He included a link to an official letter sent to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) by the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA), which outlines how the state’s testing process meets all federal standards.
California’s Case: English Testing Already Required
In an eight-page letter dated September 25, CalSTA General Counsel Alicia Fowler detailed how California law already requires commercial driver’s license (CDL) applicants to demonstrate English proficiency before receiving a license.
According to Fowler, all knowledge, skills, and road tests in California are conducted entirely in English without translators, ensuring compliance with 49 CFR § 391.11(b)(2)—the federal rule that requires drivers to read and speak English to communicate with law enforcement and understand traffic signs.
Fowler rejected Duffy’s claim that English proficiency must also be tested during roadside inspections. “There is no federal requirement that English language proficiency be established through roadside inspections,” she wrote, explaining that FMCSA guidelines do not obligate states to perform language checks during enforcement stops.
Federal vs. State Disagreement
While California insists its licensing system meets federal standards, Duffy argues that the state must actively enforce ELP checks during roadside inspections to remain eligible for Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) funding.
That funding—worth $40.68 million—supports California’s Commercial Enforcement Program, run by the California Highway Patrol (CHP). In 2024 alone, CHP conducted more than 450,000 truck inspections funded partly through MCSAP.
Duffy stated that California’s failure to comply will lead to a permanent withdrawal of funding beginning October 15, 2025, unless the state adopts “a compatible law, regulation, or enforcement process.”
CalSTA, however, stands by its position. A spokesperson said the agency is reviewing the federal letter but remains “committed to public safety and compliance with federal laws.”
What’s Next
For now, California’s funding remains frozen, but officials maintain that the state already enforces English proficiency through CDL testing. Whether this dispute results in restored funding—or a longer legal battle between state and federal agencies—remains to be seen.
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