Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has announced that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will withhold over $40 million from the State of California for its failure to enforce the English Language Proficiency requirements for CMV drivers as an out-of-service order.

Duffy said that California is the only state in the country that has refused to ensure CMV drivers can read road signs and communicate with law enforcement. As a result, $40,685,225 from Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program funding awarded to California will be impacted. MCSAP provides grant funding for states to conduct roadside inspections, traffic enforcement, safety audits of trucking companies, and public education campaigns. 

For FMCSA to restore funding, Duffy stated California must adopt and actively enforce a law, regulation, standard, or order that is compatible with the federal ELP requirement for commercial drivers. This means state inspectors need to begin conducting ELP assessments during roadside inspections and place those who fail out-of-service.

On August 26, 2025, DOT announced California was among states in danger of losing federal funds if they failed to adopt and enforce ELP requirements for CMV drivers. In July, the California Highway Patrol publicly stated it had no intention of following this important federal regulation.

The Washington Post reported that over 6,000 drivers have been placed out-of-service nationwide since the new requirements went into effect June 25. These drivers will not become eligible to operate a commercial motor vehicle until they can meet the English proficiency standards.