California Sues Over $33M Trucking Safety Grant Cut Linked to English Enforcement

California has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Transportation after more than $33 million in federal commercial vehicle safety grant funding was terminated. According to Reuters, federal officials said the funds were cut because California failed to adequately enforce a long-standing federal requirement that commercial truck drivers be able to read, speak, and understand English. State officials dispute that claim, arguing their enforcement practices comply with federal law and that the decision was arbitrary and unlawful. In its filing, California pointed to federal data indicating that drivers holding California-issued commercial licenses are involved in 39% fewer fatal commercial vehicle crashes than the national average, which the state says challenges claims that safety has been compromised.

While no new English-language rule has been introduced and no mass driver disqualifications have been announced, some trucking industry insiders believe the dispute could still indirectly affect the industry, particularly carriers that rely on immigrant or non-native English-speaking drivers. Critics warn that reduced safety funding or stricter enforcement tied to grant eligibility could strain inspection capacity, slow freight movement, and add uncertainty for carriers, while federal officials maintain the English-proficiency requirement has existed for decades and is a safety standard rather than an immigration policy. The case now centers on enforcement expectations and federal funding authority, with broader industry impacts remaining a matter of debate rather than established fact.