California has launched a major legal battle against the U.S. Department of Transportation after DOT permanently rescinded more than $33 million in federal transportation grants, claiming the state is failing to enforce federal English-language proficiency (ELP) requirements for commercial drivers. The lawsuit marks one of the most dramatic clashes yet between states and the Trump administration over trucking regulations, immigrant drivers, and highway safety enforcement.
Filed by Attorney General Rob Bonta on December 13, the lawsuit accuses DOT, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, and FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs of acting unlawfully by freezing California’s Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) funds. The state argues that DOT’s funding freeze is “arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion,” and inconsistent with decades of agency precedent. The case seeks both restoration of the funds and a halt to FMCSA’s plan to redirect the money to other states.
Why DOT Withheld the Money
The conflict centers on federal English-language proficiency rules requiring commercial truck drivers to read and understand road signs and communicate with inspectors. Although the rule has existed for years, enforcement was largely dormant until President Trump revived it in his April 28 executive order, which instructed DOT to aggressively enforce compliance nationwide.
By June, FMCSA had established standardized tests for roadside inspectors to determine driver proficiency. States that fail to issue ELP violations and place non-English-proficient drivers out of service risk losing federal funding.
Secretary Duffy has repeatedly singled out California, accusing it of refusing to enforce the rule. Federal auditors reported that CHP documentation instructed officers not to enforce ELP violations because the federal regulation “is not adopted by California.”
FMCSA determined that California:
- Failed to issue ELP violations consistently
- Could not verify enforcement procedures
- Relied on state licensing laws that do not cover out-of-state drivers operating within California
As a result, FMCSA froze all payments tied to the state’s commercial vehicle safety plans for fiscal years 2024–2026, effective October 15, 2025.
California Pushes Back
California argues that:
- Its own ELP laws meet federal standards
- FMCSA’s decision contradicts nearly 20 years of past approvals
- The agency refused to collaborate or allow reasonable time to update enforcement plans
- Abruptly freezing funds undermines highway safety rather than strengthening it
The state also notes that FMCSA approved California’s safety plan less than nine months ago, demonstrating that nothing substantive changed except the administration’s priorities.
The lawsuit warns that losing MCSAP funding jeopardizes CHP’s commercial vehicle enforcement operations, which rely heavily on federal dollars.
FMCSA’s Firm Stance
FMCSA insists California has failed to demonstrate compliance. It rejected the state’s request for an extension until April 2026, calling the delay “unacceptable.” The agency also criticized California for not revising its enforcement manuals and for ignoring its obligation to police interstate drivers, not just those licensed in the state.
According to FMCSA, ELP enforcement is a “continuing safety obligation,” not optional or subject to state interpretation.
What Comes Next
California has 30 days to formally respond to DOT’s concerns, but the lawsuit now escalates the dispute into federal court. As pressure mounts, California joins other states — including Texas, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota — that have faced threats of withheld funding over issues related to CDL oversight and immigrant drivers.
The case could set a major precedent for:
- Federal authority over CDL safety enforcement
- State autonomy in interpreting FMCSA regulations
- Funding consequences for noncompliance
With trucking safety, immigration enforcement, and state–federal power all in play, this lawsuit may become one of the most consequential regulatory battles of 2026.
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