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FMCSA Doubles Automatic HOS Exemption Length for Regional Emergencies The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is extending the automatic hours-of-service relief available during regional emergencies from 14 days to 30 days, giving drivers and carriers more time to support disaster-response operations without having to seek an extension after the first two weeks. The agency announced…
A new federal proposal known as Barron’s Law would tighten eligibility requirements for commercial driver’s licenses by placing English-language proficiency testing directly into the CDL licensing process. Bill Targets CDL Eligibility Barron’s Law is the latest legislation introduced in Congress aimed at limiting CDL eligibility for individuals who do not meet federal English-language requirements. The…
C.H. Robinson to Acquire RXO in $5.8 Billion Truck Brokerage Deal C.H. Robinson Worldwide plans to acquire trucking brokerage firm RXO in a stock-and-cash transaction valued at approximately $5.8 billion, creating a larger third-party logistics network and expanding the companies’ presence in North American freight brokerage, managed transportation and last-mile delivery. Deal Details The transaction…
OOIDA’s Compliance Connection, a resource designed to help trucking companies manage regulatory paperwork and compliance responsibilities, has received an upgrade, according to the association’s latest update. Compliance resource updated The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association said Compliance Connection has helped members simplify compliance-related tasks for years. The organization did not provide specific details about the changes…
C.H. Robinson to Buy RXO in $5.8 Billion Deal: What Could It Mean for Truckers? C.H. Robinson Worldwide plans to acquire RXO in a cash-and-stock transaction valued at approximately $5.8 billion. The deal would bring two of North America’s largest freight brokerage companies under common ownership and create a logistics operation with projected annual revenue…
CAFE Standards Reset: Can Looser Fuel Economy Rules Restart Auto Freight? The U.S. Department of Transportation’s reset of Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards gives automakers more flexibility to build trucks, SUVs and internal-combustion vehicles. For freight carriers, however, the change is unlikely to create a significant new source of truckload demand in the near term….
Triumph Financial CEO Says Freight Credit Risk Is Reshaping Capacity and Carrier Formation Freight transportation’s credit environment is influencing who can operate, expand and obtain loads, according to Aaron Graft, founder, vice chairman and CEO of Triumph Financial. In an interview with FreightWaves, Graft discussed the freight finance backdrop, carrier capacity, broker performance and the…
Ohio has enacted a 90-day suspension of the state’s gasoline and diesel fuel taxes as fuel prices continue to pressure truckers, farmers and other motorists. Gov. Mike DeWine signed the measure after lawmakers reached an agreement following two days of negotiations. Ohio suspends fuel taxes for 90 days The suspension begins Sunday and applies to…
California Man Charged in $300 Million Nvidia Chip Smuggling Case Federal prosecutors have arrested a California man accused of smuggling computer servers containing about $300 million worth of Nvidia artificial-intelligence chips to China. The case places high-value technology cargo at the center of a federal criminal investigation. Prosecutors allege that the servers were moved in…
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is urging the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to restore a 30-day emergency relief period for truck drivers and motor carriers following a regional emergency declaration. The group also says trucking companies, drivers and insurers are facing growing financial pressure from costly lawsuits that can remain unresolved for years. OOIDA…
Nearly 2,000 citations issued to truck drivers during CVSA’s Operation Safe Driver Week Commercial vehicle drivers received nearly 2,000 citations and more than 3,400 warnings during this year’s Operation Safe Driver Week, according to results released by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance on October 5. The enforcement and education campaign took place July 12-18 across…
A federal appeals court has cleared the way for a proposed class action brought by truck drivers who allege Union Pacific Railroad collected their fingerprints at Illinois intermodal facilities in violation of the state’s Biometric Information Privacy Act. Appeals court rejects contractor exemption argument A Seventh Circuit panel ruled that Union Pacific could not rely…
C.H. Robinson Worldwide has agreed to acquire RXO in a stock-and-cash transaction valued at approximately $5.8 billion, combining two major freight brokerage operations and creating a transportation company valued at about $25 billion. Deal expands North American brokerage operations The acquisition is intended to increase C.H. Robinson’s scale in North American truck brokerage while strengthening…
Diesel prices have climbed sharply amid refinery outages, tight inventories and geopolitical disruptions, raising operating costs for trucking, agriculture, construction and other diesel-dependent industries. Analysts warn that a potential U.S. ban on diesel exports could produce uneven results, lowering prices in some regions while increasing costs elsewhere and tightening supplies in overseas markets. Diesel costs…
The case for pumping the brakes on truck mandates September 30, 2026 | Opinion Federal vehicle-safety rules often move slowly. A congressional report has highlighted delays at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, including rules affecting commercial trucks. The delays raise a reasonable question for drivers and motor carriers: When does a careful process become…
Ocean Rates Reach Yearly Highs as U.S.-China Trade Truce Offers Temporary Relief Trans-Pacific ocean freight rates have climbed to their highest levels of the year, even as Washington and Beijing extend a trade truce and reduce tariffs on selected imports. The combination of front-loaded shipments, vessel capacity cuts, equipment imbalances and port congestion is keeping…
CHP officer killed in Highway 99 crash with semi-truck near Tipton California Highway Patrol Officer Brian Liles was killed Monday evening after his department-issued motorcycle collided with a truck-tractor on northbound State Route 99 near Tipton, authorities said. The crash occurred at approximately 5:11 p.m. near the Highway 190 interchange, south of Avenue 152, in…
Diesel prices have climbed sharply in the United States and Europe amid refinery disruptions, reduced inventories and geopolitical supply concerns, raising transportation costs and prompting President Donald Trump to consider restricting U.S. diesel exports. Export restrictions could reshape diesel markets Trump has said he is “very seriously” considering a ban on diesel exports. Supporters of…
Exclusive: Central Freight Lines to shut down after 96 years Central Freight Lines, a Waco, Texas-based less-than-truckload carrier, planned to begin winding down operations in December 2021 after nearly a century in business, according to company officials. The closure affected more than 2,100 employees, including approximately 1,325 drivers, and made Central Freight the largest trucking…
# Fifth Circuit Rejects Logistics Firm’s Trade-Secret Claims The Fifth Circuit upheld a judgment dismissing Pittsburgh Logistics Systems’ claims against Glen Rose Transportation Management. The ruling leaves in place the rejection of Pittsburgh Logistics’ unjust-enrichment and alleged misappropriation claims under the Texas Uniform Trade Secrets Act. The dispute centered on whether Glen Rose improperly benefited…
Federal regulators, researchers and state enforcement agencies are examining several issues affecting the trucking industry, including automatic emergency braking performance, hours-of-service requirements and commercial vehicle safety inspections. The developments come as agencies and industry groups continue working on truck safety standards and roadway awareness. NHTSA Examines False AEB Activations Drivers have raised concerns that a…
Trucker pulls fellow driver from explosive wreck after rain-slick fishtail near Snoqualmie Pass A truck driver rescued a fellow motorist from a burning semi after a rain-related crash on Interstate 90 near Snoqualmie Pass, Washington, on Tuesday morning, Sept. 29. Ricky Sequin was traveling behind the other tractor-trailer when he saw it lose control on…
Fresno County voters will decide whether to dedicate additional sales-tax revenue to transportation projects, including road repairs, transit improvements and congestion reduction. Supporters say maintaining a dedicated funding source is necessary to address infrastructure needs, while opponents argue the proposal would not do enough for motorists and truckers. Road repairs would receive most of the…
Blue Eagle has agreed to pay $60,000 to settle an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission lawsuit alleging that the company failed to accommodate a truck driver’s religious practice of attending church on Sundays. Settlement includes back pay and damages Under the two-and-a-half-year consent decree, Blue Eagle will pay former driver Gerstman back pay and compensatory damages,…
Ohio lawmakers have approved a 90-day suspension of the state’s gasoline and diesel taxes as fuel prices continue to pressure truckers, farmers and other motorists. Gov. Mike DeWine signed the measure into law Thursday, with the suspension set to begin Sunday. Ohio suspends fuel taxes for 90 days AAA reported Ohio’s average diesel price at…
Fuel taxes are getting a break. Truckers still have questions Ohio is suspending its state gasoline and diesel taxes for 90 days, giving motor carriers a temporary break on fuel purchased in the state. The holiday began at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, October 4, 2026, and will run through 11:59 p.m. Saturday, January 2, 2027. Gov….
Intermodal Hits Annual High as Shippers Shift More Freight From Road to Rail Loaded domestic intermodal container volumes reached a new annual high in late September, as shippers continued moving freight from over-the-road trucking to rail in search of lower transportation costs. The seven-day moving average of loaded domestic intermodal containers reached 21,697 on Sunday,…
CAFE Standards Reset: Looser Fuel Economy Rules Are Unlikely to Restart Auto Freight The U.S. Department of Transportation’s reset of Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards gives automakers more flexibility to build trucks and SUVs, but it is not expected to create a major increase in truckload freight in the near term. The more immediate signal…
Blue Eagle, a California mail-delivery company, has agreed to pay $60,000 to settle a federal lawsuit alleging that it failed to accommodate a truck driver’s religious observance by scheduling him to work on Sundays. Settlement Resolves EEOC Lawsuit The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced the settlement on Sept. 25. The lawsuit alleged that Blue Eagle…
Trump says Europe agrees to release diesel reserves WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Oct. 2 that European countries had agreed to release diesel from emergency reserves “immediately,” as his administration works to respond to sharply higher fuel prices and growing political pressure ahead of the November midterm elections. Trump made the announcement on social…
A federal appeals court has allowed a proposed class action involving Union Pacific Railroad to move forward after finding that fingerprint scans used at the company’s Illinois intermodal facilities may violate the state’s biometric privacy law. Drivers Challenge Fingerprint Scanning The lawsuit accuses Union Pacific of requiring truck drivers to provide fingerprint scans when entering…
TMC Fall Meeting focuses on AI, safety and technician skills PITTSBURGH — After the 2026 Technology & Maintenance Council SuperTech competition, the Technology & Maintenance Council Fall Meeting shifted its focus to the tools, diagnostic systems and workforce skills shaping truck and trailer maintenance. The Sept. 20-24 meeting brought fleet maintenance professionals, technicians, equipment suppliers…
Federal prosecutors have charged former trucking business owner Kristopher Lunsford in an alleged $105 million semi-truck investment fraud scheme that targeted more than 500 investors, according to court filings and federal authorities. Investors Promised Truck-Leasing Returns Lunsford, 46, of Henderson, Nevada, faces six counts of wire fraud and two counts of money laundering. Prosecutors allege…
Fresno County voters will decide whether to dedicate additional sales tax revenue to transportation projects, including road repairs, transit, and congestion improvements. Supporters say the measure would provide a reliable source of funding, while opponents argue it would not do enough to address the region’s transportation needs. Measure Would Direct Most Funding to Roads Under…
Carriers should begin preparing for the 2027 registration and tax-filing cycle. The filing window for Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) opens Oct. 1, 2026, while IFTA and state-specific weight-and-distance renewals may also require action before the end of the year. UCR registration opens Oct. 1 Interstate motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders and leasing companies subject to…
TQL, C.H. Robinson accused of racketeering tied to illegal carrier network Six motor carriers have filed a federal lawsuit accusing freight brokers TQL and C.H. Robinson of working with a network of allegedly illegal carriers to undercut legitimate trucking companies and divert freight. The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District…
October 2026 industry report points to steady demand, tighter cost pressures and uneven freight conditions The October 2026 State of the Industry Report, presented in affiliation with Ryder, describes a freight market that remains active but fragile. The report examines trucking, maritime and intermodal markets, with data covering capacity, freight volumes and rates. For professional…
Seasonality Pushes Rejections and Rates Higher Ahead of the Fourth Carriers are gaining pricing leverage as the trucking market heads into the Independence Day holiday, with seasonal driver availability adding pressure to an already tight freight environment. The DHL Supply Chain Pricing Power Index rose to 75 for carriers this week, up from 70 last…
Carriers and owner-operators should begin preparing for 2027 registration and fuel-tax renewals, with the filing window for Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) opening Oct. 1, 2026. IFTA credentials and state-specific weight-and-distance requirements may also require renewal before the new registration year. UCR Registration Opens Oct. 1 The 2027 UCR registration period is scheduled to open Oct….
Need for drivers prompts Schneider to increase trainer positions by 26% GREEN BAY, Wis. — Schneider National is expanding its driver-training operation by increasing the number of instructor positions by 26%, citing the need to maintain a steady pipeline of qualified drivers for its transportation network. The additional positions will be distributed across Schneider’s nationwide…
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has declined to grant an exemption that would have allowed certain commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders to obtain hazardous materials endorsements, despite the applicants having passed their commercial driver’s license skills tests. Federal Rule Bars HM Endorsements for CLP Holders FMCSA cited 49 CFR 383.93(a)(2), which prohibits CLP holders…
Schneider expands driver training ranks by 26% GREEN BAY, Wis. — Schneider is increasing the size of its driver instructor workforce by 26% as the carrier expands its capacity to onboard and train both new and experienced drivers. The expansion is focused on Schneider’s nationwide network of driver training locations. The company said the additional…
Diesel prices are climbing sharply in the United States and overseas, raising concerns about higher freight costs, inflation and the potential impact of any U.S. move to restrict diesel exports. Analysts say refinery disruptions, supply shortages and geopolitical tensions are contributing to the market volatility. Higher Diesel Costs Reach Freight Markets AAA has reported the…
Recent trucking developments include scrutiny of automatic emergency braking systems, a new survey on hours-of-service and electronic logging device requirements, a regional commercial vehicle enforcement effort, and several legal and regulatory issues affecting carriers and drivers. Investigation Examines False Automatic-Braking Activations Drivers have raised concerns that false activations of automatic emergency braking systems could cause…
Transportation officials and lawmakers in several states are weighing road funding measures, fuel-tax changes and freight infrastructure projects, while carriers and independent truckers continue to face elevated operating costs. Fresno County Measure S Would Fund Roads and Transit Voters in Fresno County are set to decide on Measure S, a proposed sales-tax measure intended to…