California Governor Gavin Newsom has agreed to require English proficiency testing for commercial truck and bus drivers, marking a major policy shift after months of resistance to federal pressure. The decision comes after the U.S. Department of Transportation withheld over $40 million in federal transportation funding in October and warned that an additional $160 million could be suspended if the state did not comply. The dispute centered on long-standing federal rules mandating that commercial drivers read and speak English sufficiently to understand road signs and communicate with law enforcement. Previously, California allowed commercial driver’s license (CDL) exams in as many as 20 languages, which federal officials argued created inconsistencies and undermined uniform safety standards. The funding threat ultimately compelled California to align with federal enforcement, illustrating how fiscal leverage can influence state-level regulatory decisions in matters of public safety.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy defended the federal actions, emphasizing that English proficiency for commercial drivers is a basic requirement necessary for safe operation. Under the updated policy, all CDL exams for truck and bus operators in California will now be conducted exclusively in English. While federal law has required this standard for decades, enforcement has varied by state, with some allowing third-party examiners to administer tests in other languages. Duffy noted that inconsistencies in enforcement created potential safety gaps. States such as Florida already require English-only testing, providing a model demonstrating that compliance is achievable without disrupting the industry. The policy aims to ensure drivers can read traffic signs, understand safety warnings, and communicate effectively during inspections or emergencies.
The policy shift arrives amid heightened national attention on trucking safety. High-profile crashes have intensified scrutiny of driver qualifications and regulatory oversight. A fatal crash in Florida last August involved a foreign driver allegedly making an illegal U-turn, resulting in three deaths, while another crash in Indiana claimed four lives from an Amish community. Federal authorities responded with large-scale enforcement operations, including 8,215 roadside inspections, disqualifying nearly 500 drivers who failed English proficiency standards. California alone recently removed over 600 drivers from service due to language violations. Officials stress that effective communication is critical for safety, and drivers who do not meet standards must be placed out of service to prevent life-threatening miscommunication during emergencies.
Federal regulators are also targeting broader weaknesses within the trucking industry beyond language proficiency. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has increased oversight of driving schools and carrier registration practices. A recent review found 557 driving schools failing baseline safety standards, prompting closure orders. Additionally, regulators are cracking down on “chameleon carriers”—companies that repeatedly re-register under new names to evade penalties after crashes or safety violations. Current registration processes, costing roughly $300 with proof of insurance, sometimes lack in-person audits and thorough compliance checks. Federal plans include tightening registration rules, strengthening identity verification, and increasing spot inspections to prevent unsafe operators from exploiting these loopholes.
Industry representatives acknowledge the enforcement gaps and support stronger oversight to promote a level playing field. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) highlighted that weak and inconsistent enforcement allowed unsafe operators to remain active longer than they should. Dan Horvath, ATA COO, noted that consistent enforcement protects compliant companies while removing unsafe competitors. Following the Indiana crash, federal authorities placed the driver’s employer out of service, revoked DOT registration numbers for affiliated companies such as Tutash Express and Sam Express, and decertified the Aydana driving school. These steps reflect a coordinated federal strategy to hold drivers, companies, and training programs accountable across the commercial trucking ecosystem.
Ultimately, the policy change in California underscores the federal government’s focus on public safety, emphasizing that commercial drivers must be properly trained, qualified, and able to communicate effectively. By enforcing English-only testing, coupled with stricter oversight of schools, registration, and carriers, authorities aim to reduce accidents caused by miscommunication or inadequate training. The combined federal and state efforts seek to restore confidence among the public and industry stakeholders that drivers of large commercial vehicles operate within consistent safety standards, minimizing risk on America’s roads.
