Gavin Newsom Backs Implementation of English Proficiency Tests for California Truck Drivers

In a significant policy shift, California Governor Gavin Newsom has decided to align with federal regulations mandating English language proficiency tests for truck drivers. This decision comes after months of resistance, as confirmed by the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) to the Post on Friday.

Last October, the USDOT took a firm stance by withholding over $40 million from California. This move was prompted by USDOT Secretary Sean Duffy, who pointed out that California stood alone in its non-compliance with the regulation requiring truckers to demonstrate their ability to communicate effectively in English and comprehend traffic signs.

“It shouldn’t have come to the point of threatening financial penalties for California to uphold the law,” Duffy expressed to The California Post. “Our actions were not about playing politics; they were about ensuring positive outcomes for the American public.”

This regulation enforcement aligns with President Donald Trump’s executive order, signed in April, which aimed to enhance road safety by removing drivers from the roads who failed their English Language Proficiency (ELP) test.

According to the new enforcement measures, California’s law enforcement officers are now tasked with assessing drivers’ English proficiency during standard traffic stops.

Following California’s decision to comply, the USDOT is in the process of releasing the previously frozen $40 million in federal funding, confirming a return to regulatory compliance and cooperation.

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In August, a truck driver who caused a deadly crash when he made an illegal U-turn on the Florida Turnpike, did not speak English and failed the assessment, providing only 2 of 12 correct responses to verbal questions and only accurately identifying 1 of 4 highway traffic signs, according to the USDOT. 

Trump had not yet restored the ELP violations when California issued the driver the commercial license in 2024. 

California issued the commercial license, but Trump’s executive order had not been in place.

“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 in a statement at the time.

The California Highway Patrol has been quietly testing for ELP since mid-January, according to KRON4.

The outlet captured video of an officer conducting an assessment during a stop, where the driver said he only understood a little English. No citations were issued, but the trucker’s passenger, who did speak proficient English, was required to take the wheel. 

“California Highway Patrol has begun enforcing the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements for all drivers of commercial motor vehicles,” Nick Chiappe, director of government and regulatory affairs for the California Trucking Association, said in a post on LinkedIn.