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3h ago

DOT Gives California, Washington and New Mexico 30 Days to Enforce Trucker English Rule or Lose Funds

The ultimatum follows a fatal Florida crash that exposed gaps in how states enforce longstanding English rules.

A drone view shows semi-trucks in San Diego, California, U.S., July 15, 2025. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo
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A tanker truck transports crude oil on a highway near Duchesne, Utah, on July 13, 2023.
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Overview

  • Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said DOT could withhold roughly $50 million in Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program grants if the three states do not comply within 30 days, citing an FMCSA review that found failures to sideline non‑proficient drivers.
  • DOT specified potential losses of about $33 million for California, $10–10.5 million for Washington and $7 million for New Mexico if they do not demonstrate full enforcement.
  • Inspection data presented by DOT showed limited English‑related out‑of‑service actions since late June: California recorded one case across roughly 34,000 inspections, Washington reported four, and New Mexico reported none; California also allowed 23 drivers with prior English violations to keep driving.
  • The crackdown was prompted by an Aug. 12 Florida crash; driver Harjinder Singh is charged with vehicular homicide after an alleged illegal U‑turn, and investigators say he failed English and road‑sign tests as officials review his licensing in California and Washington and a July stop in New Mexico.
  • The push follows an April executive order restoring out‑of‑service penalties for English failures and a State Department pause on worker visas for commercial truck drivers, while California and DHS have issued conflicting statements about Singh’s work authorization.