California not enforcing Trump’s trucker English-only mandate

Source: CHP and Overdrive

Despite federal guidance now instructing states to enforce the English language requirement for commercial drivers, California is openly resisting the move.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) stated it is not placing drivers out of service for failing to speak English, arguing that the rule is not formally part of state law. This stance places the most populous state in direct conflict with updated criteria from the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA).

As of June 25, violation of 49 CFR 391.11(b)(2) — requiring drivers to speak and understand English — has officially returned to the CVSA’s out-of-service criteria. This means states are expected to enforce the rule uniformly during commercial vehicle inspections.

However, states like California may risk losing substantial federal funding — up to $30 million in grants — if they fail to align with federal regulations. According to newly released violation data, several states have begun stricter enforcement, while others remain in limbo.

The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between federal authority, immigration issues, and transportation safety enforcement.