California Begins Enforcing English Proficiency Tests for Truckers After Federal Pressure

Published February 21, 2025

California has quietly started enforcing federal requirements that commercial truck drivers demonstrate English‑language proficiency during roadside inspections — ending months of resistance from state officials and fulfilling a key demand from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

For much of the past year, California had been the only state in the nation seen as not actively enforcing the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirement during routine roadside commercial vehicle inspections. The rule, found in federal trucking safety regulations, says commercial drivers must be able to “read and speak the English language sufficiently to … understand highway traffic signs and signals … and respond to official inquiries.”

Background: Federal Rules and State Resistance

The English proficiency rule for commercial drivers isn’t new — it’s been part of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for years — but enforcement practices have shifted over time. In 2016, a guidance policy effectively softened enforcement so drivers who lacked sufficient English could be cited rather than taken off the road.

Under the Trump administration, Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy revived enforcement of the standard and directed that drivers who fail English tests be placed out of service — meaning they’re prohibited from driving until they meet the language requirement.

However, California — under Governor Gavin Newsom — maintained it already met federal requirements through its commercial licensing process and did not incorporate ELP checks into routine roadside inspections. That stance drew sharp criticism from the DOT, which found that out of tens of thousands of inspections in 2025, only one resulted in an English proficiency violation, even when inspectors identified drivers struggling with language.

In response, the DOT withheld more than $40 million in highway safety grants to California under the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) and warned of additional funding losses.

What’s Changing in California

In recent weeks, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) has begun administering English‑language assessments at roadside stops, and drivers who fail these tests are being removed from service. This shift fulfills the federal requirement that language proficiency be actively and consistently enforced rather than only addressed at licensing.

The state’s enforcement now includes:

• Roadside English assessments during commercial vehicle inspections.

• Out‑of‑service orders for drivers who cannot demonstrate sufficient English proficiency.

• Steps toward aligning California’s practices with federal trucking safety regulations.

Federal officials say this change will allow withheld federal funds to be released and restore California’s eligibility for safety grants.

Federal Safety Push and Broader Policy Changes

The renewed enforcement is part of a broader national effort by the Department of Transportation to tighten language standards and improve truck safety. Later in February 2026, the DOT announced all commercial driver’s license (CDL) tests must be administered in English, reinforcing the language proficiency rule at the front end of the licensing process as well.

Transportation Secretary Duffy has emphasized that drivers must be able to read road signs and communicate effectively with law enforcement and emergency personnel — functions he argues are basic safety prerequisites for operating large commercial vehicles.

WHY ON EARTH is it easier for a dangerous ILLEGAL TRUCKER to get a commercial driver’s license than an AMERICAN CITIZEN?

We stopped this madness in its tracks under @POTUS 🛑

Our new rule restricts eligibility and ensures ONLY qualified drivers can operate big rigs.

America… pic.twitter.com/yh6jCekVDK

— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) February 20, 2026

Implications

1. Rule of Law & Federal Authority

From a conservative viewpoint, California’s previous reluctance to enforce English-language proficiency can be seen as a challenge to the principle of the rule of law. Conservatives often value uniform enforcement of laws across all states, particularly when federal safety regulations are involved.

• The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations clearly require truck drivers to demonstrate sufficient English proficiency to read road signs and respond to official inquiries. California’s delay in enforcement meant that tens of thousands of commercial drivers were operating without proper oversight, creating a potential loophole in national safety standards.

• Federal intervention — including withholding $40 million in highway safety grants — is framed as a necessary check to ensure states follow the law. Conservatives may view this as an example of how the federal government should use financial levers to enforce compliance when states refuse to act.

2. Public Safety & Accountability

Conservatives often emphasize personal responsibility and public safety. The English proficiency rule aligns with these principles because it ensures that:

• Drivers can understand highway signage and communicate effectively with law enforcement, reducing the risk of accidents.

• Accountability is maintained: if a driver fails the English test, they are placed out of service, holding individuals accountable for meeting professional standards.

From this perspective, enforcement isn’t “punitive” but practical and safety-driven, reflecting conservative priorities of protecting citizens while maintaining professional responsibility in critical industries like trucking.

3. Immigration, Workforce, and Assimilation

The issue naturally intersects with discussions on immigration and workforce policy:

• Conservatives might argue that requiring English proficiency is not anti-immigrant, but rather ensures integration and competency in a role that directly affects public safety.

• By enforcing language standards, the trucking industry encourages workers to adapt to essential communication norms, aligning with conservative ideals of assimilation and merit-based opportunity.

• Critics of liberal policies might frame California’s earlier stance as overly permissive, prioritizing inclusivity over practical safety and skill standards.

4. Criticism of California’s Governance

California’s resistance can be interpreted as a failure of state governance, especially from a conservative lens:

• The delay in enforcement could be seen as political posturing, where liberal priorities overrode compliance with federal safety rules.

• Conservatives may argue that California’s eventual compliance was motivated by financial pressure (loss of $40 million in federal highway safety funding), rather than concern for public safety.

• This situation provides an example of state-level defiance of national standards, which conservative commentators often use to highlight inefficiencies or misaligned priorities in heavily liberal states.

5. Broader Political and Cultural Implications

Beyond safety and compliance, this issue carries symbolic weight in U.S. political discourse:

• It reinforces the narrative of contrast between conservative and liberal governance: Conservatives prioritize law, order, and safety; liberal states may emphasize autonomy, inclusivity, or leniency.

• The story can serve as a talking point for effective federal enforcement and accountability, showing that financial incentives and regulations can correct noncompliance.

• Conservatives may frame it as evidence that liberal states sometimes require external pressure to enforce rules that protect citizens.

6. Potential Downstream Effects

The expanded enforcement could have multiple consequences:

• Workforce adjustments: Drivers who fail English tests may need training or remediation, creating pressure on trucking companies to ensure staff meet standards. Conservatives may see this as reinforcing accountability and standards in essential industries.

• Public perception of safety: The rule may reassure citizens that all truck drivers meet minimum language and communication requirements, appealing to conservative messaging on protecting everyday Americans.

• Political leverage: Conservative lawmakers and media may cite this as a success story in federal enforcement, contrasting it with states perceived to resist national law or safety standards.

 Overall Takeaway:

California’s enforcement of English-language proficiency tests for commercial truck drivers represents more than just a procedural adjustment—it is a significant affirmation of law, order, and public safety. For years, the state’s reluctance to enforce federal requirements created a loophole in which drivers who lacked adequate English skills could operate large commercial vehicles, potentially endangering the lives of other motorists. By finally taking action, California acknowledges that safety and accountability cannot be optional, and that regulatory compliance is essential for protecting communities on the road.

From my standpoint, this move reinforces the principle that laws must be applied consistently, without political exceptions or leniency, particularly when public safety is at stake. It also demonstrates the effectiveness of federal oversight and enforcement mechanisms, showing that states cannot disregard national standards without consequences. The release of withheld highway safety funds underscores that adherence to federal rules is not negotiable, and that fiscal accountability can be a powerful tool in ensuring compliance.

Moreover, this policy promotes professional standards and personal responsibility within the trucking industry. Drivers are now required to demonstrate the skills necessary to safely navigate highways, understand road signs, and communicate clearly with law enforcement. This aligns with conservative ideals that emphasize merit, competence, and individual accountability in professions that directly affect the public.

Ultimately, California’s compliance serves as a reminder that practical enforcement must take precedence over political ideology. Ensuring that truckers meet minimum language requirements protects citizens, strengthens industry standards, and preserves the integrity of federal regulations. For conservatives, this development is a clear example of how law, safety, and accountability intersect to benefit society, proving that enforcing common-sense rules is both necessary and just.

SOURCES: THE GATEWAY PUNDIT – California to Finally Enforce English Tests for Truckers After Newsom Folds to Unlock Federal Funds

OVERDRIVE ONLINE – California capitulation: CHP finally enforcing English language proficiency roadside

AP NEWS – All truckers and bus drivers will be required to take commercial driver’s license tests in English