California has begun enforcing federal English-language requirements for commercial truck drivers after months of resistance from Governor Gavin Newsom.
The change was confirmed by Nick Chiappe of the California Trucking Association on Friday.
“California Highway Patrol has begun enforcing the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements for all drivers of commercial motor vehicles,” he said in a statement.
The move clears the way for the U.S. Department of Transportation to release more than $40 million in funding that had been frozen.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that California had been the only state failing to enforce rules requiring truckers to demonstrate English proficiency.
“I shouldn’t have had to threaten to withhold millions in funding for California to come to their senses and enforce the law,” Duffy told The California Post.
“For those who said we’re playing politics—our efforts have gotten real results for the American people.”
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
Federal officials said the California Highway Patrol quietly began testing drivers for English Language Proficiency (ELP) in mid-January.
Under federal law, commercial drivers must be able to read traffic signs and communicate with law enforcement. Officers are required to assess language skills during routine stops and inspections.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order in April directing authorities to remove from service any truck drivers who fail the English requirement.
The renewed enforcement effort follows a deadly crash last August on the Florida Turnpike.
According to the Transportation Department, the driver involved did not speak English and failed the assessment.
“This is a Democrat-caused calamity,” says @StephenM on the illegal alien trucker who killed three people in a California crash.
“Newsom, in his state, has a policy to give CDLs to individuals who don’t know how to speak English and don’t know how to drive.” pic.twitter.com/lEgcGsoGce
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 24, 2025
Officials said he answered only two of 12 verbal questions correctly and identified just one of four highway signs.
“If states had followed the rules, this driver would never have been behind the wheel, and three precious lives would still be with us,” Duffy said at the time.
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