Class 8 Sales Jump Year Over Year in February 2026
The fine folks over at ACT Research and FTR Transportation Intelligence have reported tremendous news: the sales of heavy-duty commercial trucks have skyrocketed in the last 12 months.
President Biden
President Biden & the Trucking Industry: Policies and Developments
The trucking industry is a cornerstone of the American economy, and federal policies can significantly influence its operations. Under President Joe Biden’s administration, several initiatives have been introduced affecting truckers, fleet owners, and logistics professionals. From efforts to modernize infrastructure and streamline licensing processes to environmental regulations aimed at reducing emissions, these policies aim to address challenges within the industry. This section provides updates and analyses on how the Biden administration’s actions intersect with the trucking sector, offering insights into the evolving landscape for transportation professionals.
EPA Wants DEF Data
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken a step back in terms of its raw enforcement ever since the transition to the second Trump Administration from President Joe Biden, but that does not mean the EPA is doing absolutely nothing to manage the environment. In an attempt to balance economic growth with environmental health, the EPA is demanding that original equipment manufacturers submit data on their Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) system failures.
TopMark Funding’s Yearly Roundup 2025
Another year has come and gone, and with it a whole plethora of trucking news as the industry deals with the transition into a new presidential administration. Here is the biggest article from each month to highlight how the sentiment in the trucking industry was at that period.
DRIVE Safe Act Participation Puts Trucker Shortage into Question
If you have been paying attention to the trucking industry for any amount of time, chances are the phrase “trucker shortage” has hit your ears. Surely if the trucker shortage were real and fleets were desperate to get their hands on more drivers, there would be an increased demand for younger drivers to be able to cross state lines. The pilot program for under-21 interstate travel led to abysmal results, indicating that maybe fleets are not as strained for drivers as initially thought.
EPA Continuing on NOx Emissions with Slight Changes
In a move that is rarely seen in today’s political climate, the Trump Administration is continuing on a rule popular with the Biden Administration…with a few modifications.
Clean Energy Stakeholders Petition for Transparent Subsidies
Generally speaking, electric trucks are more energy efficient than diesel trucks, when comparing the amount of energy it takes to go a mile (effective miles per gallon is the commonly used metric to compare the apples of electricity to the oranges of diesel). With that said, there are many more factors in play when it comes to trucking companies making the decision to transition to electric. Perhaps the biggest one is price.
FMCSA Plans Sleeper Berth Pilot Program
The life of a truck driver requires a lot of flexibility, something that regulations can, while intentions are good, get in the way of and make things more difficult for all. To that end, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has announced through the “Pro Trucker Package” two new pilot programs where they will test the effects of new regulations on a small subset of truckers, and, if the data looks good, implement it on the general populace to make trucker life easier to manage.
Four Truck Manufacturers Go on Offensive Against CARB
It is another day in California, and that means somebody is suing somebody else. This time, however, it relates directly to the trucking industry, as four truck manufactures are shifting gears and standing against the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
Sean Duffy Finalizes 76 Projects
We have written at great length about Biden-era infrastructure investments, and how things have changed (or in some cases, stayed the same) with the transition to the second Trump Administration. One such case is the lawsuit of sixteen states trying to get money from established funds. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy is working to get those infrastructure projects underway.
16 State Coalition Sues FHWA
Yesterday we published an article about a coalition of sixteen different states suing California regarding the Advanced Clean Fleet regulation. This is not a case of deja vu; the exact same number of states happen to be running their own lawsuit against the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
Trump Administration to Repeal “Woke” Emissions Regulations
When it comes to the trucking industry, it seems that the Trump Administration is taking an approach where actions speak louder than words. Rather than spending time focusing on the nitty-gritty finer details of the inner workings of the trucking industry, the administration of the 47th president is focused on getting goods from Point A to Point B.
American Trucking Associations Calls on Congress to Oppose CARB
With the change in presidential administrations from Biden to Trump, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has found itself against growing opposition to the policies that it hopes to implement, namely, the Advanced Clean Trucks Rule and Omnibus NOx waivers.
EPA Continues Talk of Regulatory Rollbacks
Robert Conquest’s third law of politics says that the actions of unelected bureaucrats make perfect sense if you assume that they are bad faith actors wanting to destroy the system from within. The interesting thing about this “law” is that it is true no matter who is in office depending on its interpretation.
Adrienne Camire to Lead FMCSA
On March 7th President Trump appointed Adrienne Camire to be the Deputy Administrator and the Acting Administrator for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).Details“I am pleased to welcome Adrienne Camire as Acting Administrator of FMCSA,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy in a statement regarding Camire’s appointment. “Ms. Camire is a dedicated leader […]
EPA Admin Submits Regulatory Rollbacks
Lee Zeldin, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has submitted waivers to pull back California’s approval for the Advanced Clean Truck and Omnibus NOx regulations that were established under the Biden Administration. How does submitting waivers to Congress actually stop those regulations rather than hurt it? Well, it is complicated.DetailsWe have covered both of […]
Sean Duffy to Replace Fuel Economy Rule
When Joe Biden was in office, there was a set rule for fuel economy standards within the United States: the average of all 2031 models for cars must be or exceed 50.4 miles per gallon. Now that there is a new administration, Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has decided to axe that. Details The […]
California Abandons Advanced Clean Fleets Rule
Unless you have been living under a rock for the past two years, you have heard about the California Air Resource Board (CARB) and their strong plans to make the trucking industry greener. No new diesel trucks by 2036. Illegal to operate a diesel truck by 2042. Well, drivers in or traveling through the Golden State can now rest easier, as CARB has decided to abandon these plans.
DOT Releases Recap of Past Four Years
With the Biden Administration in its final days and the second Trump presidency on the horizon, Biden’s Department of Transportation (DOT) released a list of its accomplishments to the American people so as not to be forgotten with whatever comes next.DetailsExecutive Order 14123 says that a White House Council on Supply Chain Resiliency must release […]
TopMark Funding’s Yearly Roundup 2024
Another year comes to a close; a relatively hectic and interesting one for the trucking industry. Here are the biggest articles of each month, in case you need a refresher.
Trucking Industry Sees Massive Holiday Season
Merry Christmas from all of us at TopMark Funding! It seems as though Santa has left a present under the tree for the industry as a whole, as the National Retail Federation reports expectations of a record-shattering holiday season of deliveries. Details According to the National Retail Federation, sales by dollar are expected to be […]
Connecticut Announces New Truck Parking
In the latest update in the war on truck parking, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) announced that it is using state funding to build new parking spots across the Constitution State.DetailsCurrently in Connecticut, there are 420 public use commercial truck parking spots, a fraction of what is needed to sustain truckers traveling to and […]
What Trump’s Tariffs Mean for the Trucking Industry
If you have been following even the slightest bit of political news, you have probably heard that Donald Trump is going to be placing tariffs on Canada, China, and Mexico. What does this mean? Quick Rundown on Tariffs A tariff is a tax imposed on imported goods to serve two purposes: additional revenue for the […]
Rhode Island Wins Appeal on Truck Toll Case
Two years ago, we wrote about how Rhode Island planned to appeal the…
FMCSA to Update Crash Preventability Determination Program
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) holds commercial truckers to a higher standard than the average passenger vehicle: it is not enough to avoid fault from a crash, a truck driver must prove that they could not prevent it from happening.
Biden Administration Races Against the Clock for Infrastructure Spending
As with Biden replacing Trump’s policies before him, Trump will be doing the same in kind to President Biden once his term ends, reverting as much as he can before implementing his own changes to how the country is run. Because it is much harder to stop a moving train when it starts, the Biden […]
Lee Zeldin to Lead EPA
With Trump slated to return to the Oval Office in 2025, he is picking out people to lead in the executive branch of the United States federal government. You may have heard of a few of them by now, but one that will have a profound impact on the trucking industry is whoever leads the […]
Trucking in the Second Era of Trump
Anyone who has been paying attention to our reporting of the news, especially in regard to regulations, likely noticed that we ended a good number of articles with “it will be interesting to see how the 2024 election plays out and if there is a change of party in the White House, how that will […]
Biden-Harris Administration Announces CDL Training Grants
The Biden-Harris Administration announced on September 20th plans to give $140 million in funding that will be given to states and training programs through the agency’s High Priority (HP) and Commercial Driver’s License Program Implementation (CDLPI) grants.DetailsThe grants are split with $88 million going to HP, and $55 million going to CDLPI.HP is not directly […]
Diesel Continues Price Slide
In recent times the price of oil has been dropping, to the point where the Biden Administration is purchasing the black gold in order to refill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and with it the price of diesel is dropping.DetailsIn the last four weeks since July 8th, the price of diesel has dropped eleven cents per […]
Biden Administration Purchases Almost 5 Million Barrels of Oil
The Strategic Petroleum Reserve, used to store the precious resource of crude oil for times of crisis, has been consistently drained during Joe Biden’s term in an attempt to alleviate prices at the pump. This is changing, however, as the Department of Energy is taking advantage of a small dip in oil prices to buy […]
Government Regulators Delay Rulemakings to 2025
Truckers knowledgeable about industry regulations constantly hear about the harrowing future of speed limiters, but it seems like that can is constantly kicked down the road until before you know it, it is in another state. That seems to be the case nowadays, as speed limiters are one of the regulations being tabled until 2025. […]
DOT Has No Plans to Change Marijuana Regulations
The Biden Administration is working to move marijuana from a Schedule I (heroin) to a Schedule III (testosterone/steroids), but that does not mean that truckers will be able to partake, as clarified by Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigeig.DetailsThe American Trucking Associations (ATA) has been knocking on the DOT’s door asking how this change would impact […]
Senators Reveal REVEAL Act
A group of republican senators within Congress are suspicious of the Department of Energy and its system of calculations used to determine an electric vehicle’s miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe). After all, if they have an agenda to push electric vehicles onto the American populace, would they not have a vested interest in making the […]
FMCSA to Crack Down on Household Mover Scams
It has been established through numerous regulations in the past that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) provides not only physical safety to its constituents, but also financial safety. The FMCSA took this one step further when it announced on May 20th a new program to crack down on scams relating to the interstate […]
Senate Votes to Renew DERA
The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) is a law that allows the federal government to offer grants and rebates that provide financing solutions to trucking companies that want to replace their old truck with a new one, or even just retrofit the engine to make it run more smoothly. The program, ending soon, has now […]
Biden Administration Provides $1.5 Billion for Zero-Emission Trucks
The Biden Administration announced in mid-March its plans to build electric corridors across the nation. Now it is putting its money where its mouth is, as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is offering $1.5 billion to various states and municipalities to accelerate the switch to zero-emission vehicles. Details The declaration of this grant money comes […]
Talks of More Strategic Petroleum Reserve Sales
We at TopMark Funding love to report when gasoline and diesel prices are down, but right now things are looking a bit grim, especially here in California where requirements cause the prices of fuel to be even more expensive than in other parts of the nation. To that end, analysts are predicting another potential sell […]
FHA Plans Electric Corridors
It is no surprise to anyone working with both electric and diesel that the refueling network for the latter grossly outperforms the former, and as such operating a fully electric fleet is currently economically unviable. To that end, the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) is working to create corridors, specific highways that have guaranteed charging for […]
Congress Reviews Department of Labor Rule
You might remember how we wrote about the impending lawsuit coming from Louisiana regarding independent contractor classification and how it will have negative effects on the trucking industry, but the judicial branch is not the only check and balance impeding the Department of Labor. Now, Congress wants in on the action.DetailsRepresentative Kevin Kiley, a Republican […]
Diesel Approaches $4 Per Gallon Line
We do not report on diesel prices as much as we have in the past, and that is because we prefer to report when the news is something special, as is the case here. According to the Energy Information Administration, the average for diesel fuel across the nation is $4.022 per gallon, which is within […]
Robin Hutcheson Steps Down from FMCSA Administrator
The role of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Administrator is looking more and more like a carousel all the time, as Robin Hutcheson announced that she is stepping down from the position.Details“It has been the most profound honor to serve in the Biden-Harris Administration, and I am grateful to President Biden for appointing me […]
Department of Labor Plans to Move Toward AB-5-Style Law
Readers who have been following trucking news for a while now are fully aware of California’s Assembly Bill 5: originally intended to curb “gig economy” jobs like DoorDash, it is now used to curb driving under the Authority of another carrier.A similar rule has been entered into the Federal Register, and unless things change, the […]
21 States Sue Biden Administration Over Emission Regulations
A coalition of 21 different states has banded together to sue the Biden Administration over the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) latest rules regarding truck emissions. They say that the Biden Administration has overstepped its constitutional powers.DetailsThe states that are joining in this lawsuit are:Kentucky (Where the lawsuit is taking place)AlabamaAlaskaArkansasFloridaIdahoIndianaIowaKansasMississippiMontanaNebraskaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaUtahVirginiaWest VirginiaWyomingThe plaintiffs […]
Vivek Ramaswamy Speaks at World’s Largest Truckstop
The 2024 Republican presidential candidate who is also a billionaire spoke at the World’s Largest Truckstop in Iowa to talk about what he would do regarding regulations within the trucking industry.Was our description of the candidate not apt enough to properly discern? To be more specific: it was Vivek Ramaswamy.DetailsThe Republican hopeful on his campaign […]
TopMark Funding’s 2023 Year in Review
Another year has come and gone. It feels as though it has gone by so fast, and yet not fast at all. If you want a quick rundown of what the trucking industry went through in 2023, here are the biggest articles from each month.JanuaryFor the most populous state in the nation, January was both […]
United States to Develop Hydrogen Hubs
The federal government wants to make the transition to cleaner fuels now, rather than later, and to that extent is providing $7 billion in funding to establish ten regional hydrogen hubs: power plants where the fuel source will be generated. The result may just help the trucking industry make numerous years worth of progress for […]
Biden Administration Grants $82.6 Million for 46 States
One of the few line items that are generally bipartisan for federal spending is infrastructure, such as roads. It is a good thing that on October 27th, the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) has announced spending plans for 46 different states in the nation and Puerto Rico in an effort to increase road safety.Details“Whether […]
Biden Vetoes EPA Rollback
You may remember a little under a month ago when we wrote about a Bill that passed both halls of Congress. In that article, we said:“Because of how our system of government works, Joe Biden may opt to veto the bill instead of signing it, which is what he threatened to do should the vote […]
PMA and ILWU Reach Tentative Deal
One of the most consistent customers of the trucking industry are those that deliver their goods to the United States via boat, so the trucking industry has collectively breathed a sigh of relief when it was discovered that the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) have reached an agreement that […]
New Government Website Shows Infrastructure Investment
If there is one issue that unites (almost) all Americans, it is investment in infrastructure such as our roads. The Biden Administration has released a website that is intended to track just that.DetailsThe website, located at “invest.gov”, is now available for the public to see how the government says that it is spending your taxpayer […]
Truck Parking Funding Act Passes Committee
We at TopMark Funding love a good truck parking story, and here is the latest one: The House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure passed on May 23rd a bill called the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act that will enable $755 million in funding for the foundation of more public truck parking spots across the country.The […]
Anti-Speed Limiter Bill Introduced to Congress
When it comes to speed limiters, it is the same old song and dance. Regulators from the executive branch of the United States government want them, and industry stakeholders hate them. A new bill introduced into a Committee in Congress may cause the legislative branch to exert some power on its brother.DetailsThe Deregulating Restrictions on […]
EPA Outlines Standards for 2032
At first glance, this article may seem like deja vu. After all, the EPA’s established truck standards for 2027 and California’s electric truck mandate for 2035 have been recent topics in the news. But what if you live in the other 49 states and want to prepare even further ahead than merely four years? The […]
Joe Biden Visits Cummins Plant
Joe Biden visited the Cummins plant in Fridley, Minnesota on April 3rd for two reasons: one was political, with Biden traveling on his Investing in America tour to show citizens that he supports goods that are made in America, and the other is celebration, as Cummins has pledged to invest $1 billion across its numerous […]
Truck Parking Bill Introduced in Senate
On December 1st, two senators from both sides of the political aisles introduced the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act. Should it be passed into law, it would enable $755 million of investment spending into public truck parking spaces. Details The phenomenon of truck parking demand exceeding supply is nothing new. Some city governments are taking […]
House Voted To Avoid Rail Strike
What’s New? The United States House of Representatives voted on Nov. 30 to pass a bill that would force the railroad and the unions to abide by the terms outlined in the September tentative agreement. The measure passed by a vote of 290-137 and now heads to the Senate. If approved, it will be quickly […]
Pending Strike Becomes Imminent
What’s New? A strike could occur as early as Dec. 9 now that freight carriers union SMART-TD has rejected the tentative agreement negotiated in mid-September by Labor Secretary Marty Walsh and other officials. The Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers union and their 500+ Transportation Division members made the announcement on Nov. 21. Another […]
The Diesel Fuel Shortage Explained
We are about a month away from total havoc. We were also a month away from no more diesel fuel about a month ago, and the month before, and the month before. This is simply how the lead-time for diesel fuel works. Allow us to explain. Production Vs. Consumption In general, fuels of all types […]
Biden to Release More from Strategic Petroleum Reserve
Coming hot off the heels of the news of OPEC Plus slashing oil production by two million barrels of oil per day, Joseph Biden announced that he will once again be tapping into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to help alleviate prices. Details The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is a well of crude oil near the Gulf […]
Biden Speaks at Volvo Plant
Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. is not a stranger to speaking to stakeholders in the trucking industry. Just a little over a year since he spoke at a Mack Trucks Plant in Pennsylvania, he is back at it again at a Volvo Group powertrain plant in Maryland. While there, he spoke about the economy for the […]
Biden-Harris Administration Founds WOTAB
“Women are significantly underrepresented in the trucking industry, holding only 24 percent of all transportation jobs,” FMCSA Deputy Administrator Robin Hutcheson once said in a statement. The Biden-Harris administration is interested in making the industry more representative of the population as a whole, and is founding the Women of Trucking Advisory Board (WOTAB).DetailsWOTAB’s inaugural committee […]
Railroad Strikes May Exacerbate Truck Capacity, ATA Exclaims
We have written about railroad strikes before, but we have not yet discussed in detail to what extent it would impact the trucking industry. Chris Spear of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) has an idea of what it would be. Details Trucking and railroad are invariably intertwined: oftentimes a railroad will cover the majority of […]
President Biden Blocks Freight Rail Strike
On July 15, President Joe Biden blocked a freight railroad strike in Omaha, Nebraska. This strike would disrupt the already fragile supply chain by delaying the shipment of goods for at least 60 days. To combat this, President Biden appointed a board of arbitrators, the Presidential Emergency Board, to help the dispute with contract building […]
FMCSA Extends Baby Formula Shortage Declaration
It appears as though COVID-19 is not the only State of Emergency that needed to be extended, as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has updated its Declaration regarding the hauling of materials used in the production of baby formula.DetailsThe events started in February, when an Abbott plant in Michigan that produces baby formula shut […]
Biden Calls on Congress to Suspend Fuel Tax
As the national average for diesel fuel exceeds five dollars per gallon, President Joseph Robinette Biden Junior is calling on Congress to suspend the fuel tax for three months to help alleviate fuel prices. Details The federal fuel tax on diesel is about 24.4 cents per gallon. The money is used for the Highway Trust […]
FMCSA Announces State of Emergency for Baby Formula
If you have been following the news at all, there is a good chance you have heard about the baby formula shortage going on in the United States. On May 18th, Joe Biden announced his plan to use the Defense Production Act to leverage governmental powers to get more baby formula produced. One such example […]
NTEA Commercial Vehicle Upfitting Summit Starts September 13th
The National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) is changing gears, pun intended. They are changing the name of their annual convention from the Truck Product Conference to the Commercial Vehicle Upfitting Summit, and it will be taking place September 13-14th, 2022 in Sandusky, Ohio.DetailsIn a time where global supply shortages are requiring fleets to get every […]
Norfolk Southern’s Unique Way to Increase Efficiency
It should be no surprise to anyone that COVID-19 and the resulting uptick in pent-up demand, combined with the demand for better working conditions since the work from home movement began, has caused a global supply chain shortage. One such example of blockage is at intermodal points between boat, railroad, and truck. Norfolk Southern, a […]
Pennsylvania Introduces Truck Driver Restroom Access Act
Everyone’s favorite part of being a truck driver, and the main reason for getting into the business in the first place, is waiting for pickup and dropoff. Oftentimes, these wait times are unpaid, but the state of Pennsylvania is working to make these arduous hours a little more manageable by requiring restroom access. Say hello […]
Auction Rates Mostly Drop for March 2022
Auction rates in the current global supply shortage are always interesting to check. With new trucks having a hard time staying on the lot, the industry turns to used vehicles to fulfill asset needs. J.D. Valuation Services has the numbers.March 2022 NumbersFor all years except the most recent listed, 2020, prices decreased.Model Year 2021: No […]
Trailer Sales Break Record in March 2022
If you have been following trucking industry news for the past year, you might be familiar with the term “global supply chain shortage.” Simply put, it has been plastered on articles across the internet, including our own. However, March 2022’s trailer sales have bucked this trend. FTR and ACT Research have the numbers.March 2022 NumbersACT […]
Kentucky Declares State of Emergency Regarding Severe Weather
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has announced that a State of Emergency exists within the Bluegrass State, and is lifting trucking regulations regarding just that to provide aid to needy citizens.DetailsThe declaration cites a need due to:TornadoesSevere thunderstormsFlash floodsDamaging windsAs a direct result of the nasty weather, the governor is suspending some hours-of-service regulations and regulations […]
Texas Delegates Increased Border Security to Mexico
Approximately a week after Governor Greg Abbott initiated increased scrutiny inspections at the border between Texas and Mexico, he has reneged the order at the border. The inspections will still take place, just with a more efficient method than using state troopers placed at the border and forming a queue.DetailsGovernor Greg Abbott first lifted the […]
Biden Nominates Hutcheson for FMCSA Administrator
With Meera Joshi departing to work back in New York City, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is once again in need of someone to lead it. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttgieg had suggested one of his closest assistants, Robin Hutcheson, for the job. Now, Biden has officially nominated her for the position.DetailsBefore working […]
California Air Resources Board to Prohibit Pre-2010 Engines in 2023
We have written at great length about how a better method to resolve air pollution would be to enact regulations that peter out older engines rather than forcing new engines to continuously provide breakthroughs in efficiency, and it seems that California may be doing just that. Details The California Air Resources Board (CARB) enacted a […]
Freight Rates Move Unexpectedly in March 2022
It is safe to say we live in unprecedented times. Coronavirus, supply chain shortages, the war over in the Ukraine, and oil shortages. With all of the inane things we have experienced since the start of the decade, hopefully the changes in freight rates will seem less crazy in comparison.March 2022 NumbersAccording to DAT:Dry van […]
Biden Announces Sale of Strategic Petroleum Reserve Oil
It should be no surprise to anyone at this point that gas and diesel prices are at historic highs, due in part to the Ukraine-Russian conflict and the resulting oil embargo. With people across the country struggling to pay the new prices, the Biden Administration has announced that it will be adding its own supply […]
DOT Raises Fines for Regulation Violations
A little inflation of around 2% is a good thing; such inflation encourages people to actually use their money rather than hide it under a mattress. Inflation rates above 9 percent, however, are a little more worrisome. The DOT’s recent final rule is a strong example of why.DetailsThe Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements […]
Hydrogen for Trucks Act Discussed in Congress
S.3806, the Hydrogen for Trucks Act, has been introduced into the United States Senate, with a similarly-named bill, H.R.7064, being introduced into the House of Representatives. Here is what the twin bills becoming law would detail.DetailsCongress’ official website has the wording for both bills on the appropriate webpages, for the House of Representatives and the […]
The Irony in Clean Energy
It should be a surprise to nobody that the Biden Administration is tough on fossil fuels in favor of clean energy. As the United States implements an oil embargo on Russia, diesel prices are hitting record highs. The truth of the matter is that because of global supply chain shortages and the composition of electric […]
Texas Judge Reinstates Trump-Era Independent Contractor Status
The California AB-5 saga has not come to a close yet, as what the Supreme Court will do with it remains a mystery, but other challenges to the independent contractor/employee dynamic are still in motion. One such case is the Department of Labor redefining the term “independent contractor” shortly after the Biden Administration came into […]
Mid-America Trucking Show Starts March 24th
After canceling the event for two years in a row, the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) is scheduled to have its 50th anniversary this year. With how close the event is to the time of writing and no news of it slowing down, it appears slated to go.DetailsThe website for MATS has the tagline “Worth the […]
Trucking Industry Gains Auxiliary Jobs in February 2022
When we report the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) job numbers, we usually do the sum of all jobs in the trucking industry. February was an interesting month that takes a lot more nuance, so prepare for an explanation of what the BLS has to report.February 2022 NumbersComparing apples to apples, the employment counts posted […]
Iowa Declares State of Emergency Regarding Avian Flu
We have been reporting so much on coronavirus these past two years, it is almost a sight for sore eyes to hear about another public health crisis!Now that the shock of a different pathogenic disease as the center of attention has passed, Iowa has declared a State of Emergency within its state borders to help […]
Truck Sales Stagnate in January 2022
What had happened to the trailer market in January 2022 also happened to the new Class 8 market. With no new trucks in reserves, they are rolling off the production lot and going straight to work. FTR’s and ACT Research’s numbers are below. January 2022 Numbers The twin research organizations are very close in their […]
Florida Issues State of Emergency in Regards to Cold Snap
From January 28th to the 30th, Florida experienced exceptionally cold temperatures across the state. This has compelled Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to declare a State of Emergency. Unlike the cold snaps in Texas for the past two years, the objective with this waiver is to not save lives, but to save the agricultural industry and […]
Trailer Sales Match Previous Month for January 2022
It is no secret that trucking companies are snapping up trailers as fast as they can be created. As such, an anomaly in the industry has happened where sales have reached an equilibrium point. FTR has the numbers.January 2022 Sales NumbersFreight Transportation Research has the estimated number of trailer sales for January pinned at around […]
Auction Prices End Year on Mixed Note for December 2021
J.D. Valuation Services has released the average auction prices for December 2021. The numbers, while on average lower than the month prior, show just how far trucking has come in the last twelve months.The NumbersWhen December comes around, most fleets that want trucks to make holiday deliveries have already obtained them (if they can), so […]
American Freedom Convoy May Be Coming
NoticeThis article was initially written before the Superbowl. Talks are now of the convoy starting March 4th.With all of the buzz surrounding the Freedom Convoy and Blockade in Canada, there is word going around of American truck drivers following in their tracks. Could a Freedom Convoy from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. help lift restrictions […]
Trucking in 2022 and Beyond
What will happen in the trucking industry for the upcoming year? Our predictions for 2021 were a toss-up between being correct and incorrect: the Tesla Semi was delayed and trailer sales stabilized, but Class 8 truck sales and freight rates are higher than they have ever been. Here are our predictions for the third year […]
Supreme Court to Hear Vaccine Mandate Case
We wrote about how the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals stated the vaccine mandate was constitutional, and how it was now up to whether or not the Supreme Court would be willing to hear the case. We have our answer: the Supreme Court has agreed to a special hearing on January 7th. Details Were the […]
Meera Joshi to Step Down from FMCSA
Meera Joshi was all but confirmed by the Senate to become the first FMCSA Administrator in over two years, but a change in direction has caused her to step down after the next month, according to the FMCSA.Homesick for the Big AppleThe reason she is leaving the FMCSA is nothing nefarious or scandalous; she was […]
Sixth Circuit Reinstates Vaccine Mandate
Just when we think we are in the clear, they pull us back in.The Six Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the coronavirus vaccine mandate from OSHA is constitutional, contradicting and removing the stay from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.DetailsYou may be inclined to believe that the higher numbered court has higher power […]
Top Economist Believes Trucking Industry Will Surge
Donald Broughton, principal and managing partner of Broughton Capital, most notable for predicting in 2007 that an economic recession was just around the corner, has said at the Commercial Carrier Journal’s Solutions Summit in Arizona that the supply shortages holding back the trucking industry are the only thing between it and an economic boom.A Broughton […]
Used Truck Auction Prices Continue Climb in October 2021
J.D. Valuation Services has listed its numbers for used Class 8 auctions in October. The numbers will not be surprising to anyone who has been paying attention to the trucking industry this past year, as a reduced supply and increased demand mean higher prices. Unlike the month prior, where some model years appreciated and others […]
FMCSA Grants Exemption to Canadian Drivers Due to Flooding
It is no surprise that due to the adjacent proximity of Canada to the United States that it is one of our greatest partners in commerce. So much so that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) wants to give assistance to drivers in the Great White North in a time of unprecedented rainfall.DetailsThe entire […]
Class 8 Orders Recede for October 2021
This information has been out for a while now, but between port backlogs, infrastructure bills, and vaccine mandate news, it has been on the backburner. Backburner may be an appropriate description for the current state of the Class 8 market as well, as supply chain constraints are causing order numbers to fall and preorders to […]
Rear Guardrails Added to Annual Inspection
The news in the trucking industry has been so hectic this November, we simply could not keep ahead of it.Recently, rear impact trailer guardrails have been added as a requirement for annual FMCSA inspections.DetailsThe change is to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s 396 section, which deals with all things inspection and maintenance. Failure to […]
Trucking Continues Job Recovery in October 2021
Slowly but surely, the trucking industry is showing signs of recovering from the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has posted its monthly update for employment count in the trucking industry.October 2021 NumbersThe numbers posted for October 2021 are as follows:The initial preliminary count for October 2021 is […]
Edward Durr, Trucker, Wins New Jersey Senate Seat
It all started with $2,300 and a dream.In the third legislative district for the New Jersey Senate, Edward Durr has beaten Stephen Sweeney in a political upset that shocked the nation. The best part of all is that Edward Durr is no career politician, he’s a truck driver for a furniture company.DetailsWhen you read the […]
Biden Announces Increase in Port Operations
On October 13th, Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. announced that the Port of Los Angeles will commence 24/7 operations for the foreseeable future.DetailsThe news comes after the Port of Long Beach announced that they would be incurring 24/7 operations to help clear the backlog of ships and containers. The two ports, brothers to one another, handle […]
Biden Administration Considers Defense Production Act
If you have been in the trucking industry for as long as we have, you are aware that prices on trucks, new and used, are going through the roof. Skyrocketing prices are attributed to global shortages of various components such as rubber and aluminum, but most notably the semiconductor (chip) shortage. In the 21st century, […]
Trucking Industry Shows Disdain to Biden Vaccine Requirement
Joseph R. Biden announced on Thursday that the United States was going to take stronger steps towards combating the coronavirus by making the vaccine a requirement. The announcement has not been popular. Details The Department of Labor declared new regulations to be added soon, requiring all employers with 100 or more workers to either vaccinate […]
Biden Signs Executive Order on Truck Emissions
On August 5th, Joseph Robinette Biden Junior signed “Executive Order on Strengthening American Leadership in Clean Cars and Trucks.“ It instructs various entities within the executive branch such as the Department of Transportation and Environmental Protection Agency to work towards better emission standards on all vehicles, especially heavy-duty trucks and their engines.The Executive Order has […]
Joe Biden Speaks at Mack Trucks Plant
On Wednesday, July 28th, Joe Biden flew into Pennsylvania to check out the Mack Trucks Plant in Lehigh Valley. While there he gave an approximately 30-minute speech. Things he discussed included: Creating 600,000 jobs per month since he was in office. The importance of the COVID-19 vaccine. The importance of the United States government buying […]
Biden Opposes Federal Fuel Tax Increase
We have written extensively on our thoughts about fuel taxes; here is a summary: while not fun to pay, it is by far the most efficient way to pay for roads based on use, and as such an increase is a necessary evil. Both political parties disagree, but perhaps nobody is more opposed to an […]
Joe Biden’s Infrastructure Plan and How it Impacts Truckers
On March 31st, the office of Joe Biden released the details for the American Jobs Plan. The entire infrastructure plan press release clocks in at almost 12,000 words. Reading it is a time-consuming project, but if you want to, you can view it on the fact sheet webpage. For those who have better things to […]
Biden Reverses Trump’s Executive Order 13801
On February 17th, Biden continued his streak of changing gears from his predecessor by rescinding Executive Order 13801. As you can imagine from reading about it here, this impacts the trucking industry. Here is what Executive Order 13801 entailed and what Biden is doing to replace it.Executive Order 13801Hoping to bolster the use of such […]
Biden’s First 100 Days and How it May Affect Trucking
A few days after election day, we were hesitant to officially call for Biden’s election victory due to numerous fraud allegations and lawsuits for the time between election day and inauguration day. But, all of that is behind the country and by the time you read this, Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. should be sworn in […]
What a Biden Presidency Would Mean for Trucking
While the winner of the 2020 election is not yet set in stone due to recounts, lawsuits, and accusations of fraud, it is hard to deny that the likelihood of becoming president has shifted into Biden’s favor. Strongly enough, in fact, that it is worth speculating what the shift in power would mean for the […]