California Faces Federal Backlash Over Truck Driver Licensing Standards

Sat Oct 18 2025 08:17:52 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy threatens to withhold $40 million from California over failure to enforce English proficiency requirements for truck drivers following a crash incident.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has announced that California will be penalized with a $40 million funding cut due to its failure to enforce federal English language requirements for commercial truck drivers. This decision comes after a tragic crash involving a foreign driver, raising concerns over California's regulatory practices and the safety implications for road users. The California government has defended its record, claiming lower crash rates among its commercial drivers.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced on Wednesday that California would be facing a significant funding penalty in the amount of $40 million, citing the state's ongoing failure to enforce federal English language requirements for truck drivers. The announcement follows a recent investigation prompted by a fatal crash in Florida involving a truck driver who made an illegal U-turn and lacked proficiency in English.

Duffy's investigation highlighted severe shortcomings in California's enforcement of federal regulations that took effect in June, following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump. Contrary to federal protocols, the state granted a commercial license to a driver who reportedly could not demonstrate adequate English communication skills, raising alarms about road safety.

In his statement, Duffy asserted, 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. As tensions escalate, the political landscape surrounding this issue has intensified, with state leaders trading barbs about truck driver licensing standards and immigration policies.

After the crash which claimed three lives, Duffy expressed his concerns about the immigration status of the driver involved, further politicizing the tragic event. The issue extends beyond just English proficiency; Duffy has signaled that California's commercial driver license issuance practices may also lead to an additional $160 million in funding cuts if not adequately rectified.

In response, California Governor Gavin Newsom's office defended the state, arguing that California's commercial truck drivers statistically exhibit lower crash rates compared to the national average. The state also contended that drivers are being thoroughly vetted and that they abide by all existing licensing regulations.

California transportation officials noted that approximately 34,000 inspections yielded minimal violations related to language proficiency, countering federal claims. However, Duffy insists that without an overhaul of California's licensing and enforcement protocols, federal funding may remain at risk.