DOT warns states could lose funding over truck driver English rules

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00:00We do not want to penalize the states. We want the states to comply and to enforce the English

00:06language proficiency requirement. California, Washington, and New Mexico are all on notice

00:12from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says the

00:18three states have just 30 days to enforce federal English language rules for commercial truck

00:24drivers or lose millions in federal safety funds. Duffy pointed to a deadly crash in Florida that

00:35killed three people as the wake-up call. Investigators say the driver, Harjinder Singh,

00:41failed multiple English tests, still secured licenses in Washington and California,

00:48and was later stopped in New Mexico without being tested. Singh is now charged with three

00:54counts of vehicular homicide and immigration violations. Federal officials have not said

01:00whether Singh's limited English skills directly caused the crash, but they pointed to the case

01:06as evidence of gaps in enforcement. Federal officials say California conducted more than 34,000 inspections

01:14since June, but only one driver was pulled for lacking proficiency in English. Washington reported

01:22four cases in New Mexico, none. All three allowed drivers with prior violations in other states

01:30to keep operating. The Department of Transportation estimates California could lose about $33 million,

01:38Washington $10.5 million, and New Mexico nearly $7 million if they don't comply. The American Trucking

01:47Association praised the crackdown, saying English standards ensure drivers can read signs, talk with

01:54police, and follow safety instructions. Federal officials insist the priority is compliance, not

02:01punishment, but warn the funding freeze is just the first step if states don't act. For more of our

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