California Gov. Gavin Newsom will require commercial truck and bus drivers to undergo English language proficiency testing as part of updated enforcement of licensing rules, aligning state practices with federal standards after months of dispute with the U.S. Department of Transportation. The move comes after significant federal pressure linked to concerns about roadway safety and compliance.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the federal government had already withheld more than $40 million in funding from California and warned of additional financial penalties if enforcement did not improve. Officials emphasize that commercial drivers must be able to read road signs, follow instructions, and communicate with law enforcement, with all CDL exams required to be conducted in English under federal law.

The policy shift follows increased scrutiny from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration after a series of fatal crashes involving commercial vehicles in several states. Investigations highlighted gaps in training, licensing oversight, and language proficiency checks, leading to hundreds of drivers being removed from service during recent federal inspection operations.

Industry stakeholders, including the American Trucking Associations, have urged stronger enforcement and tighter regulation of trucking companies and driver certification systems. Federal authorities are also expanding audits and targeting fraudulent carriers, while California has begun removing drivers who fail compliance checks as part of broader efforts to improve highway safety nationwide.