October 2025 marked a point of escalation in the conflict between US federal authorities and the state of California in the field of trucking regulation. The US Department of Transportation (DOT) announced the suspension of more than $40 million in federal funding, stating that the state does not ensure proper oversight of commercial drivers' English language requirements.
The issue concerns the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) — a key source of federal funds for states for road inspections, carrier audits, and safety measures. According to the DOT, California does not enforce the federal rule that requires a commercial driver to have sufficient English proficiency to:
- understand road signs;
- communicate with inspectors;
- fill out reports and documents.
This requirement is enshrined in federal driver admission rules and, according to Washington, should be checked not only when obtaining a CDL but also during road inspections.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that this is not a new norm but a long-standing safety rule. According to him, "states cannot selectively apply federal requirements when it comes to road safety." The DOT emphasizes that California has effectively become an exception among states by not implementing language competency checks during inspections.
The official position of the ministry is outlined in a press release on the US Department of Transportation website.
Governor Gavin Newsom's administration rejected the accusations, stating that the state already checks English proficiency when taking the CDL exam, as required by federal law. According to California authorities, the federal government is expanding the interpretation of the rules without making formal changes to the regulatory framework.
In a comment to the media, a state representative noted that "the truck accident rate in California is below the national average," meaning there is no evidence that the current approach poses a safety threat.
The issue of truck drivers' English proficiency has long been at the intersection of transportation policy, immigration debates, and labor market issues. Following several high-profile accidents, federal agencies have increased their focus on driver qualifications, including language training. For critics of the DOT's decision, the situation appears as pressure on a state with an independent regulatory position.
Details of the conflict and the reaction of the parties were previously described in a Associated Press article.
The federal English language requirement is enshrined in commercial driver admission rules and formally applies nationwide. Its text is available in the electronic code of federal regulations — Code of Federal Regulations, 49 CFR §391.11.
It is the different interpretation of how and when this requirement should be checked that has caused the current dispute.
If the conflict drags on, California risks losing federal safety program funds for a long time, and carriers will face tougher and more uneven inspections in different states. For the entire industry, this means increased uncertainty and potential changes in road inspection practices nationwide.