If you’re a carrier or driver operating in or through Florida, expect stricter inspections starting immediately.
The state is adding immigration enforcement and English proficiency checks at all agricultural interdiction stations, in addition to their standard inspections.
What’s Changing
Florida’s agricultural inspection stations—separate from FDOT weigh stations—are now being used as enforcement points to identify unsafe or unauthorized drivers.
Key updates include:
- English Proficiency Testing – Drivers must be able to understand and speak English per federal regulations.
- Immigration Status Checks – Officers will verify driver documentation using authority under ICE’s 287(g) program.
- Targeting Unsafe Drivers – Non-compliant drivers may be removed from service on the spot.
There are 23 inspection stations across the state, with 100% of Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) officers now certified to enforce these new measures.
Why the Crackdown?
This move follows a fatal crash on the Florida Turnpike involving a driver who:
- Held CDLs from California and Washington
- Failed an English test, answering only 2 of 12 questions correctly
- Could not identify basic traffic signs
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier stated:
“If you’re here illegally or can’t speak English, you have no business operating large commercial vehicles on Florida’s roads.”
Florida has also asked the FMCSA to audit and potentially decertify CDL programs in California and Washington for issuing licenses in violation of federal safety rules.
Why This Matters to Carriers and Drivers
If your fleet operates in Florida, these inspections could impact operations, delay deliveries, and result in costly violations.
You must ensure:
- Drivers meet English-speaking requirements
- Documentation and licensing are current and compliant
- Drivers understand how to communicate during roadside inspections
Funding at Risk: FMCSA Warns Carriers in CA, WA, and NM Over Lax English Proficiency Oversight
With millions of dollars in federal safety funding at risk, carriers in California, Washington, and New Mexico should expect heightened inspections, stricter enforcement, and potential operational disruptions in the weeks ahead.
These three states have been issued a Notice of Proposed Determination of Non-Conformity for failing to adequately enforce federal rules that require commercial drivers to speak, read, and understand English well enough to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV).
If these states do not comply within 30 days, the FMCSA is prepared to withhold all federal funding under the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) — totaling:
- California: $33 million
- Washington: $10.5 million
- New Mexico: $7 million
Here’s what this means for carriers operating in these states and what steps fleets should take to protect their operations.
According to FMCSA data:
- California conducted more than 34,000 inspections since the new rules took effect but documented only one English proficiency violation that resulted in a driver being taken out of service.
- Washington found 6,000+ safety violations during inspections but removed only four drivers for ELP violations.
- New Mexico has not removed a single driver for failing to meet the language standard.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy made it clear: states that do not bring their enforcement efforts in line with federal requirements will lose their MCSAP funding, jeopardizing millions of dollars allocated to safety programs.
