Trump withholds California trucking funds after fatal crash tied to driver who failed English test
The Trump administration will withhold $40,685,225 in MCSAP funds from California after federal investigators found the state failed to enforce English Language Proficiency rules for commercial truck drivers, following a fatal crash involving a driver who failed an English test.
Key takeaways
- Amount withheld: $40,685,225 from the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP). Source: U.S. Department of Transportation.
- Reason: Federal investigators found California was not enforcing English Language Proficiency (ELP) rules for commercial drivers. Sources: U.S. Department of Transportation; Bloomberg Government.
- Trigger: A fatal crash involving a driver who reportedly failed an English test but still received a commercial license. Source: Bloomberg Government.
What the administration says
The Department of Transportation, led by Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, announced the withholding and criticized California for not acting after warnings.
“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,”
Duffy said in the announcement. U.S. Department of Transportation.
Program impact: The funds support roadside inspections, traffic enforcement, safety audits and public outreach under the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP). Officials said Washington and New Mexico received warnings too, but California remained out of compliance, prompting the action to lock up $40,685,225. U.S. Department of Transportation; CDLLife.
Federal probe and the numbers behind the action
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) analyzed roadside inspections and licensing records between June and August 2025 and found only one ELP citation out of roughly 34,000 inspections in California—an unusually low enforcement rate given federal rules that require drivers to read road signs and communicate with law enforcement in English. CDLLife.
The FMCSA also identified at least 23 drivers who had been placed out of service for ELP failures in other states but were allowed to continue operating in California—suggesting a systemic enforcement gap between federal standards and California practices. CDLLife.
Why it matters: Federal officials say consistent enforcement of ELP is critical to safety; MCSAP funding pays for inspections and training of officers who check driver credentials at the roadside. With those dollars withheld, officials warn of fewer inspections and less local training tied to trucking safety. U.S. Department of Transportation.
The fatal crash that drew attention
Reporting by Bloomberg Government says the enforcement action accelerated after a deadly crash in California involving a driver who reportedly failed an English proficiency test but still obtained a commercial license. That incident raised questions about how California certifies non-resident drivers and whether licenses were issued without ensuring federal ELP compliance.
Federal officials cited the crash in explaining the push for uniform enforcement and said funds could be withheld until California changes practices and demonstrates active ELP enforcement. U.S. Department of Transportation; CDLLife.
California’s position and reactions
California officials pushed back, saying the state’s commercial licensing and labor policies try to balance road safety with access to work for immigrants and residents. State transportation and licensing agencies signaled a review of the FMCSA findings, and lawmakers warned that cutting MCSAP funds could hurt local public safety programs. Bloomberg Government; U.S. Department of Transportation.
Labor and immigrant-rights advocates criticized the federal move, warning stricter enforcement could harm workers with limited English who otherwise meet safe-driving standards; safety advocates countered that uniform rules help prevent misunderstandings at crash scenes and traffic stops. Bloomberg Government; CDLLife.
Regulatory background
A 2016 Department of Transportation memo relaxed use of English proficiency as grounds to place a driver out of service. In June 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order reversing that approach and reinstating ELP violations as grounds for out-of-service orders, prompting FMCSA reviews and the withholding decision. CDLLife.
What restoration of funds would require
Federal officials said the $40.7 million would be released if California adopts compatible laws or regulations and begins actively enforcing ELP assessments during roadside inspections—documenting violations and placing unqualified drivers out of service when necessary. The DOT also offered to work with state partners to ensure cross‑state consistency so drivers who fail ELP checks elsewhere cannot operate in California. U.S. Department of Transportation; CDLLife.
Implications for San Diego, California
Economic and enforcement impacts
San Diego depends on MCSAP funds for highway patrol inspections, port-area enforcement and safety audits of commercial carriers. With $40,685,225 tied up, local agencies could face reduced inspection hours, fewer checkpoints and less training—potentially slowing enforcement near the Port of San Diego and along I-5 and I-8. U.S. Department of Transportation.
Public safety concerns
City and county leaders warned fewer inspections could allow unsafe trucks to operate longer on San Diego roads. Local officials depend on MCSAP-funded programs to catch out-of-service drivers, inspect cargo securement and run public education campaigns. Reduced funding could strain those efforts amid heightened enforcement scrutiny. CDLLife; U.S. Department of Transportation.
Political fallout
San Diego leaders are likely to press Sacramento and Washington for clarity and restoration of funds. The action places Governor Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers under pressure to reconcile licensing rules with federal ELP standards to protect funding for local enforcement. Bloomberg Government.
Worker and community concerns
Many San Diego logistics workers are not native English speakers; stricter enforcement could require additional language training or new testing procedures. Community colleges, training programs and industry groups may need to expand English-proficiency and safety classes to keep drivers qualified. CDLLife; Bloomberg Government.
Practical next steps for San Diego agencies
Local transportation and public safety officials should inventory programs funded by MCSAP grants, identify high-priority inspections and training to preserve, and work with state partners to pursue rapid regulatory fixes that meet federal standards while minimizing disruption to commerce and workers. U.S. Department of Transportation.
