California, New Mexico, and Washington could lose a total of $46 million a year in federal trucking safety funding after the U.S. Department of Transportation accused them of ignoring English language rules for commercial truck drivers. Secretary Sean Duffy demanded these states comply within 30 days with a federal rule that requires truckers to speak, read, and understand English, especially road signs.
In fiscal year 2023, the three states together received over $46 million through the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program, which supports inspections, enforcement, and other safety efforts. California got around $30 million, Washington $9.6 million, and New Mexico $6.7 million.
Duffy highlighted safety concerns at a recent press conference, referencing a tragic crash in Florida that killed three people. He criticized states for failing to enforce the language rule and said the administration is stepping up efforts to make sure truck drivers are truly qualified.
Since enforcing these language requirements, about 1,500 unqualified truckers have been removed from service nationwide, Duffy said on Twitter, emphasizing the importance of English in keeping roads safe.
If the states don’t meet the deadline, the federal government will cut their funding and take more measures to enforce compliance. This move is part of a larger pattern where Duffy uses federal money to push various policies from the Trump administration. For example, he warned New York City’s transit agency it could lose a quarter of its federal funds over safety issues, and he has threatened to cut money to areas not cooperating with immigration enforcement.
Between June 25 and August 21, California conducted about 34,000 truck inspections but removed only one driver for failing the English test. Washington reported four drivers taken out of service after 6,000 inspections, while New Mexico issued no orders despite some barred drivers continuing to operate trucks. No information was given on how the other 47 states are handling the rule.
This clash shows how federal authorities are trying to make states enforce language standards for truck drivers, linking safety funding directly to compliance. The stakes are high for states, which rely on this money to keep their roads safe and ensure qualified commercial drivers are behind the wheel.