California vs. DOT: Fight shifts to courtroom
A months-long feud between California and the U.S. Department of Transportation has escalated into a courtroom battle.
The state of California filed a complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief on Friday, Dec. 12, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California over a decision to withhold more than $33 million in federal funding because the state “failed to comply” with English-proficiency regulations.
California contends that it already enforces regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration that require commercial drivers to speak and read English. Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said last week that California is the only state that has been unwilling to enforce the rules and place non-compliant truck drivers out of service.
“FMCSA’s decision to terminate California’s Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program grant funding was arbitrary and capricious, an abuse of discretion and contrary to law; imperils the safety of all persons driving in California; and threatens to wreak significant economic damage on the state and the nation,” California wrote in the complaint.
English-proficiency enforcement
In May, the DOT announced that it would begin requiring enforcement of longstanding English-proficiency regulations. During a news conference in Austin, Texas, Duffy said that truck drivers who are unable to read electronic road signs or communicate with law enforcement officers present a threat to highway safety.
“We’re here to restore common sense and safety to our roadways,” Duffy said. “For too long, misguided policies have prioritized political correctness over the safety of the American people … We are issuing new guidance that ensures a driver who can’t understand English will not drive a commercial vehicle in this country. Period. Full stop. Enforcing out-of-service violations is about preventing tragedies and saving lives.”
Threat to pull funding
On Aug. 26, Duffy said during a news conference that California, Washington and New Mexico had not been enforcing English-proficiency regulations.
On the same day, California received a “notice of proposed determination of non-conformity” from FMCSA. In the letter addressed to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, FMCSA said the state had 30 days to respond to the notice or risk losing up to 100% of its MCSAP funding, which was about $33 million in fiscal year 2025.
“From June 25, 2025, through Aug. 21, 2025, FMCSA identified that out of 69,268 inspections conducted by California state inspectors, 34,069 resulted in at least one violation being issued,” wrote Jesse Elison, FMCSA’s chief counsel. “Of those 34,069 inspections, only one contained a violation relating to English language proficiency, with that one violation resulting in the driver being placed out of service as a result of the ELP violation.”
California responded on Sept. 25, saying that California’s laws, regulations, standards and orders regarding English proficiency are either identical or have the same effect. Additionally, the state said that it requires all driving skills and road tests to be conducted in English.
In the court complaint, California said it explained to FMCSA that “few citations are written in the field because the state tests for and determines that drivers have English-language proficiency before ever issuing a commercial driver’s license.”
On Oct. 15, FMCSA delivered a “notice of final determination of non-conformity” regarding English-proficiency rules.
“FMCSA is deeply disappointed by California’s delayed enforcement and obfuscation in addressing its clear non-compliance with a fundamental safety regulation,” Elison wrote. “While FMCSA regrets that withholding federal funds has become necessary, the agency remains committed to working with California officials and stands ready to restore funding as soon as California begins full enforcement and compliance with federal safety requirements.”
Trading jabs
In the midst of a disagreement about English-proficiency enforcement, Duffy and Newsom have often been involved in a public battle on social media.
In November, Duffy said he caught California “red-handed” in the unlawful issuance of 17,000 non-domiciled CDLs.
In response to requests for comment from Land Line, a spokesperson for California Gov. Gavin Newsom said that the DOT leader was providing a false narrative.
“Once again, the Sean ‘Road Rules’ Duffy fails to share the truth – spreading easily disproven falsehoods in a sad and desperate attempt to please his dear leader,” said Brandon Richards, a deputy director in Newsom’s office.
Now, California has turned to the courts, asking for FMCSA’s withholding of funding to be terminated. LL