Duffy to States: Enforce English Rules or Lose Funding
September 16, 2025
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has put three states—California, New Mexico, and Washington—on notice: either start strictly enforcing English-language proficiency requirements for commercial truck drivers or risk losing millions in federal highway funds.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the warning after a tragic Florida crash on August 23 that claimed three lives. Authorities allege the driver involved, Harjinder Singh, lacked the English skills needed to safely operate a commercial vehicle. Singh reportedly obtained his CDL in Washington and was later stopped for speeding in New Mexico without being removed from service, despite an alleged inability to speak English.
“We all use the roadway, and we need to make sure that those who are driving big rigs can understand the road signs,” Duffy emphasized during a press conference.
The DOT has given the three states 30 days to comply or face significant cuts to the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program. Total funds allotted to each state through the program are as follows:
- California: $33 million
- Washington: $10.5 million
- New Mexico: $7 million
Inspection data shows that while California conducted roughly 34,000 inspections revealing at least one violation since the English rule took effect, only one driver was taken out of service. Washington reported similar outcomes, and New Mexico has not removed any drivers for English-language deficiencies.
The English-language requirement is not new; it has long been a federal rule for CDL holders. But this renewed scrutiny highlights the need for carriers to stay vigilant. Trucking companies should verify that all drivers can understand traffic signs and communicate in English as required by federal regulations, review internal hiring and compliance processes to ensure no gaps in documentation, and stay alert for any updates from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regarding enforcement.
As federal and state agencies tighten oversight, ensuring every driver meets language and safety standards is more important than ever. Triple T Transport remains committed to safety and regulatory compliance across all operations while providing world-class 3PL solutions for all of our supply chain partners.
