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).
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has given up on the Advanced Clean Fleet (ACF) rule in its entirety, after a recent lawsuit.
The only thing that is predictable about the second Trump Administration is that it is unpredictable.
The 47th president of the United States, Donald Trump has already signed numerous executive orders in the first year of his second term in office.
Unless you have been completely disconnected from the news (in which case, how are you reading this?), there is a word that you have heard to the point of nausea: tariffs, and the mass hysteria going around their implications.
Usually when a Bill is going through the system, it will start in one wing of Congress before moving to another after approval. The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act is bucking this trend by having two very similar Bills introduced into both wings at the same time, with minor differences planning to be reconciled later.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has signed into law a state infrastructure law totaling $11 billion, of which $200 million will go into the development of new parking spots for commercial vehicles. But that is not all that truckers have to be happy about. Details House Bill 54 became law when Governor DeWine signed it on […]
Under the Trump Administration, the Department of Transportation (DOT) wants to slash regulations so that commercial businesses that utilize America’s infrastructure can thrive, but it is a bit lost as to where to start. With President Trump upping the ante of regulations cut versus added from 2:1 to 10:1, the DOT needs to get busy. […]
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.
The headline for this article might seem a little weird at first glance. “Why would trucking companies feel uneasy about the Trump Administration deciding to rollback emissions regulations for the Environmental Protection Agency?” But the reason why makes sense given the implications of America’s government.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) saga continues, with the previous update to this being Adrienne Camire leaving the FMCSA without a trace.The 47th president has wasted no time finding the next FMCSA Acting Administrator, however, and has tapped a man by the name of Derek Barrs for the position.DetailsThe role of FMCSA Administrator […]
We at TopMark Funding hate to report this, but the news is the news and we have no direct influence over how people act in Washington D.C. We wrote on March 11th about Adrienne Camire taking up the position of Acting Administrator of the FMCSA. Two weeks later, she has silently stepped down. Details The […]
Another year, another International Roadcheck event from the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA). As with years prior, commercial vehicles may be subject to a 37-point inspection when traveling in Canada, Mexico, or the United States from May 13th to the 15th.
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.
If you have been following news regarding the trucking industry for a while, there is a pretty good chance you are familiar with the name “Chris Spear.” The president of the American Trucking Association (ATA), which has a membership of 50 state trucking associations, is a relatively big player within the space.
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 […]
The first data for used truck auction rates in 2025 have come out, and the numbers from J.D. Valuation Services show a lot of promise for the trucking industry in the years to come.
About once every congressional term, the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act finds its way into the chambers of Congress where it is voted upon.
You have probably heard it time and time again: America’s infrastructure needs a lot of repair and replacement to avoid safety disasters, and infrastructure spending is the one thing both sides of the political aisle can agree upon. However, truckers traveling across the Ohio River between Illinois and Kentucky via Interstate-24 are soon going to […]
The start of a new presidential term has led to many talks of tariffs, but it did not do much to stymie the flow of goods during the first month of 2025, as ports across the nation reported record levels of shipments. Details January is, relatively speaking, a slow month for port activity. With the […]
Anyone who has spent an hour in Manhattan knows that it is crowded, which is part of the reason why the state of New York introduced congestion pricing to the lower part of the island. The Trump Administration is fighting back, rescinding previous approval from the prior administration and promising to see the other party in court.
Traffic can often be seen as a necessary evil, as collisions are negatively correlated with the number of vehicles on the road. Sometimes, however, traffic jams can go too far, and that is what the American Trucking Research Institute (ATRI) tracks every year to find the biggest bottlenecks plaguing the trucking industry.MethodologyThe methodology follows that […]
A hurricane hits North Carolina. A wildfire spreads through southern California. Now that the damage is done, it is time for recovery, something with which the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is all too familiar. To decrease support times in future emergencies that will invariably happen, FEMA is opening itself up to contracts to trucking […]
It is said that what goes for California eventually goes for the nation, and that seems to be the case with the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) Advanced Clean Trucks rule, which required the ramping up of production and sales of zero-emission vehicles. Now that CARB has walked back its rule, other states are following […]
Tariffs to Mexico and Canada are planning to go into effect on February 4th, 2025, the same day this article is published. With an increased cost in imports from the two neighboring countries, U.S. manufacturers are watching and planning their next moves.DetailsWhen it comes to the trucking industry, the biggest imports the United States of […]
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 […]
The American Trucking Association (ATA) has done its research and finds that, despite inconsistency in growth in 2023 and 2024, 2025 is currently set to be a year of continuous growth, with many more prosperous years to come.DetailsAccording to the ATA, truck volume is anticipated to increase by 1.6% in 2025, with the total tonnage […]
Just a little more than a month after the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced the revocation of three types of Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs), they are announcing six more onto the chopping block.
During Donald Trump’s first term as president, there were tariffs going both ways between the United States and Canada. Donald Trump’s second term is expected to have tariffs be an order of magnitude higher than that, so Canada is hoping to up the ante as well as it refuses to be pushed around by us, the U.S.
It is a story you have likely heard several times before: the weather outside is frightful. Here are the states that are offering drivers some exemptions to help make the slow season a little faster, and a little warmer.
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 […]
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.
One of the most fun and interesting studies to come out of the trucking industry every year is from the fine folks over at the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), where they use the power of math and statistics to determine how much more efficiently the United States economy could go if there were less […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Two years ago, we wrote about how Rhode Island planned to appeal the…
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.
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 […]
When it comes to ELD regulations, we have aired our grievances before. It seems someone at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is a huge fan of our writing, as they are taking steps to inform truckers of Electronic Logging Devices being removed from their registry. Either that, or it is a happy coincidence. […]
The government is like a massive ship. It has a lot of inertia, and it is a lot harder to turn it, let alone 180 degrees when it is in motion. Despite there being an inevitable transfer of power once Trump takes the Oval Office, he might find it difficult to stop previously established EPA […]
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) voted 12 to 2 on November 8th in favor of revamping its Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). What does this mean for truckers in the Golden State? Details The vote comes on the heels of the 2024 presidential election, after news that Donald Trump would be returning to office, […]
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 […]
At the advent of 2020, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration released the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, a database to track commercial drivers with a record of using substances on the road that could adversely impact their driving abilities, or at the very least track when they refuse a testing request from an officer. Now, […]
When it comes to the movement of materials and merchandise through ports, the amount is measured in twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), the number of standard-size containers it would take to contain it all. This is to give you an idea of how much stuff went through the Port of Los Angeles in the third quarter […]
As we have said before, another day brings another lawsuit. This time, it is a coalition of 24 different states and various economic interests sending the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the federal appellate court for review.
It is that time of year again: in late October the folks over at the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) released its results for a survey asking drivers and other industry stakeholders the biggest concerns they have regarding the trucking industry. Here are the results. Methodology The methods by which they obtain the numbers are […]
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has declared a State of Emergency in Florida due to the damage caused by Hurricane Milton. Details Hurricane Milton has come and gone, but its lingering effects, the destruction left in its wake, still persists. To that end, the FMCSA is suspending some regulatory requirements from Parts 390-399 […]
With the year and related tax window coming to a close, savvy fleet owners know to maximize their use of Section 179 for the year to get the best possible return on investment for their assets. Though we are not tax lawyers, this article should serve as a good foothold for fleets to begin the […]
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) International Roadcheck for 2024 was from May 14th to the 16th. Now the CVSA has tallied up the results to tell us what truckers in North America need to focus on more.
College Station, Texas is the latest in the supposedly cool trend of “solving” the truck parking issue by making truck parking illegal. It will be interesting to see how it goes.Details“Enforcement was delayed until Oct. 1 to ensure a smooth transition and allow appropriate public notification and education through the city’s communication channels, signage, windshield […]
Hurricane Helene has come and gone, and now states on the East Coast are doing their best to pick up the pieces from the disaster. One of the losses was a significant portion of the I-40 in North Carolina, near the border of Tennessee, as well as other roads in the Tarheel State.
Can you believe it has been almost a full year since we last wrote about jobs in the trucking industry? A lot has happened in that time, and we are going to go over it.Employment CountAugust 2023: As the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does two revisions before listing the numbers for a given month […]
You may have heard recently in the news talks about potential tariffs, added costs to foreign goods to make them less capable of competing with their domestic counterparts, but what if the foreign goods were prohibited entirely? That is what the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) wants to do with […]
The Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act (TSSMA) is now in the congressional committee for the House of Representatives. Already it has received support from 150 different supply chain organizations to streamline business logistics in the American economy.DetailsNormally congressional bills are tens of thousands of words long, but not this Bill, at least in its current […]
In economics, there is a term called a “perverse incentive”, where an action or policy causes a different, or sometimes even opposite, effect than intended.
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 […]
The COVID-19 pandemic will go down in history for numerous reasons; one of the biggest will be the effect it had on the used trucking industry. The fine folks over at J.D. Valuation services have been tracking the average auction sale value over time, and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic can be seen in full.
If you need evidence that the economy is back from the slump of the COVID-19 pandemic and the supply chain woes that stemmed from it, look no further than imports into the United States. Data has come out for July 2024, and it is showing strong growth from the same month last year. Details The […]
When you think of the trucking industry, chances are technology is one of the last things to come across your mind. Even with the advent of alternative fuel and autonomous trucking, both are still about a decade away.To that end, you might not think about cybersecurity as being a big issue in the trucking industry, […]
From far away when driving past them, those wind turbines used to generate power seem pretty small, but if you were to ever get close to them, you would see that they are massive and generate a lot of power even when moving slowly due to their sheer size. They are so big, in fact, […]
Active readers of trucking industry news may remember the story of Rogel Aguilera-Mederos, whose 2019 collision caused the death of four people and his sentence was reduced from 110 years to 10. Well, the general area where that collision happened is getting a speed limit reduction after another incident occurred recently.DetailsOn August 15th a truck […]
After approximately four years of fighting in various court battles against AB-5’s ramifications on the trucking industry, the California Trucking Association (CTA) is throwing in the towel, but not without a concession from the state of California.DetailsCTA CEO Eric Sauer says that while his organization was unsuccessful in removing AB-5 from the trucking industry, “California […]
Travelers moving between the Hoosier State and the Bluegrass State might find themselves out of a little bit more money, thanks to a joint resolution approved in 2013.DetailsAs can be expected, construction and maintenance costs are increasing over time, in part both to supplies and labor. As such, the Interstate 65 Abraham Lincoln Bridge, I-65 […]
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is having its annual increased rate of inspections and safety enforcement for 2024, this year, it is from August 25th to the 31st. Here are some things you may wish to know.DetailsThe CVSA has a similar event, Brake Safety Day, on a surprise day each and every year to […]
Batteries are weird. It is the reason why they have not really taken off as a form of power storage until recently (AA batteries, like the ones for a television remote, hold approximately four watt hours). Recent technological developments since the turn of the century have made them more and more practical for various uses, […]
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 […]
The rise of subscription services online to ensure a steady stream of income for companies without needing to innovate, most notably with Adobe’s Photoshop opting to charge users a monthly fee, may just be coming to the autonomous trucking revolution before it even gets on the road.DetailsDon Burnette, founder and chief executive of Kodiak Robotics, […]
On August 18 2022, a coalition of four parents who had lost children to underride crashes filed a petition with the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) asking for an increase in the quality of standards for rear underguards. The NHTSA has denied it.DetailsThe most recent changes for rear underride guards happened in July 2022, […]
Congress is working on drafting the funding and allocation for 2025, and part of that includes funding for the transportation industry, namely, $200 million in truck parking.Details“The committee expects DOT to continue working proactively with the private sector, states and metropolitan planning organizations to address this critical supply chain challenge, to encourage the use of […]
Despite being a slightly larger portion of the American population, ladies only constitute 5% of drivers within the trucking industry. Would tapping into this unused workforce help make the trucking industry safer? That is what two researchers at Auburn University in Alabama wanted to find out when they examined over 22 million data points from […]
ACT Research reports that the number of used Class 8 trucks sold in May 2024 were a whopping 18.1% higher than they were in May 2023; an increase from 19,300 to 22,800.DetailsUsed vehicles of all types had been going through a pricing abnormality through the first third of this decade due to the COVID-19 pandemic: […]
The United States federal government has the three branches interwoven to make sure that power remains fragmented. One such example is deliberations within the House of Representatives and a provision in a bill that would prohibit the Department of Labor (DOL) from implementing its contractor rule.DetailsThe contractor rule is similar to the AB-5 requirement in […]
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 […]
The American Trucking Associations (ATA) reported on June 18th that the trucking industry has experienced a year-over-year increase of tonnage for May 2024, meaning that 1.5% more weight was shipped in May 2024 than May 2023.DetailsThe ATA Truck Tonnage Index is a quick rule of thumb to see how the trucking industry is doing, and […]
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 […]
Trucker Path is a company that uses the power of big data to make the commercial transportation industry travel more efficiently. According to them, they receive 20 million ratings and reviews on various things from truckers every month, including the quality of the various roadways upon which they travel. To that end, Trucker Path went […]
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced on June 3rd 2024 that it will be providing $480 million in grant funding to promote vehicular safety, including commercial vehicles, to fifty-six different regions in America.DetailsThe recently announced Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program grant awards are the latest implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed into […]
They say that necessity is the mother of invention, and while a heavy-duty truck needing to have this low of a nitrogen oxide (NOx) is debatable, the interesting thing is that the fine folks over at PACCAR have done it. Details The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is nothing if not extremely vigorous in its […]
It will be quite a while before we see hydrogen-powered trucks take the lead ahead of diesel, and the biggest contributor to this fact is the lack of a refueling network. While diesel has a station on nearly every corner, hydrogen refueling centers currently total lower than one hundred, as a conservative estimate. Much like […]
Interstate 70 is a major throughway to travel through Colorado, regardless of whether a driver is heading westward to Utah or eastward to the I-70’s end in Baltimore. But some new legislation signed by the governor will make it filled with more regulatory burdens come August 2024.DetailsOur title for this article is a little bit […]
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) deals in much more than just road safety; it also partakes in managing financial safety within the greater commercial transportation sector. To that end, the FMCSA has the Truck Leasing Task Force (TLTF), which exists to monitor the terms and conditions of truck leasing agreements, and it will […]
If you have been following trucking industry news for some amount of time, you have probably heard about the purported trucker shortage. One of the reasons for this is the elevated barrier of entry to become a professional driver: time that normally happens after graduation from high school. Connell High School wants to do something […]
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 […]
Being the most populous state in the nation, California is often said to be the focal point of many trends, and that what goes for California eventually goes for the rest of the country. To that end, the California Air Resources Board potentially has a lot of power when it comes to dictating the trucking […]
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 […]
In March 2024, California was hit with some pretty tumultuous weather. While not as crazy as what it was in January of last year, the storms have still caused some catastrophic damage to various types of infrastructure, including roads and electrical wires. To that end, Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a State of Emergency to […]
On April 23rd, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) voted to pass a new rule spanning 570 pages which would outlaw most noncompete agreements across the United States.DetailsA non-compete agreement is either a contract or part of a contract that, upon leaving business with another party, makes it prohibited to start a competing business, usually […]
We at TopMark Funding are headquartered in Roseville, a part of the greater Sacramento area, which is where Tesla delivered its first Semis to Pepsico to deliver beverages. We finally got to see one parked at a gas station making a delivery, and that is where we got the header image for this article.It took […]
A new law passed by both parts of the state legislature and signed by the governor will be going into effect on July 1st for the Hospitality State, offering more hospitality to all drivers, truckers and passenger vehicles alike (though it is primarily aimed at commercial vehicles), by establishing regulations against predatory towing practices.DetailsSB2635 has […]
April is coming to an end, and with it, the day that FirstElement Fuel opens the world’s first ever commercial hydrogen fueling station approaches ever closer. Set to happen in May 2024, the station marks the beginning of hydrogen refueling infrastructure for the nation.DetailsThe location is set to be near the Port of Oakland, allowing […]
Infrastructure work is a lot like going to the dentist or getting a truck brought into the shop for preventive maintenance. It is a lot of pain to go through, but it is only a fraction of the pain that comes from the alternative of not putting in the work. Such is the case with […]
On April 19th, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced in the Federal Register that it hopes to replace the Unified Registration System (URS) with a new system called the FMCSA Registration System (FRS).DetailsSo what is the big deal about this new system? The Notice in the Federal Register is thousands of words long, […]
Nobody can say that the American trucker is not resilient.You likely remember the previous episode of the California AB-5 saga, where Judge Roger Benitez, previously ruling an injunction against AB-5 for the trucking industry, ruled in favor of AB-5. In that article, we wrote:“Chances are, truckers in California will continue fighting against California’s AB-5 law […]
On April 5th, Governor Andy Beshear vetoed the “AN ACT relating to autonomous vehicles”, but the state House and Senate obtained enough votes each to override the veto, and as such the Bill to allow autonomous driving on Kentucky’s roadways will become a law.DetailsWhen Governor Beshear vetoed the Bill, he argued that there needed to […]
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 […]
(Play the video to listen to the article) Some of the biggest news in the trucking industry right now is the adoption of greener technologies such as electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles, but the adoption rate of greener vehicles amongst the general populace has slowed down in recent years, despite consistently high gas and diesel prices. […]
You probably saw this coming from a mile away, but the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is declaring a State of Emergency in direct response to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. Details The Declaration provides relief from 49 CFR § 395.3 of federal regulations, which is the maximum driving […]
At this point you have probably heard the statistics for truck parking: 10 or so spots for every commercial vehicle, how drivers may spend an hour or more looking for a spot, and how often truckers park illegally to be able to avoid the risk of driving while fatigued. The New York Police Department (NYPD) […]
The American Free Enterprise Chamber of Commerce (AmFree Chamber) is joining in on the fun of suing the state of California for its regulations that will make it unlawful to drive a diesel-powered vehicle in the state by 2042.DetailsThe lawsuit was filed on April 1st, but it is certainly no joke.The legal arm of AmFree […]
When there is a total solar eclipse, traffic as a result of people traveling to see it increases, as was shown during the 2017 total solar eclipse where states in the path of totality saw an increase of traffic by 222%. To that extent, Texas is taking a proactive measure to minimize the chance of […]
When it comes to trucking companies, two of the most common forms of business structure are the sole proprietorship and the Limited Liability Company (LLC). If you own or are part of a trucking company that is the latter, you may be required to register information with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) before 2024 […]
Do you enjoy reading? The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has just released a lengthy 1,155 page report about what it calls Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles – Phase 3.DetailsThe gist of the behemoth document is that it outlines the requirements for various vehicle builds and engine types that the EPA will require sales […]
Perhaps you have heard in the news in the past few weeks that there were murmurs about a potential trucker strike against New York City in retribution for a ruling […]
Francis Scott Key is the writer of the national anthem, the Star Spangled Banner. An important figure in our nation’s history, it is only natural that he had a bridge named after him, located in Baltimore. Disaster struck at the Francis Scott Key Bridge, however, when at approximately 1:28 AM Eastern time on March 26th […]
The Mid-America Trucking Show has come and gone, with one of the biggest entities speaking at the event being the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration), which started the conference with some big news: they admit that there is a problem with fraud in the current system, and they are taking steps to fix it.Details”Freight […]
The newest chapter in the California AB-5 saga has been released, and it is unfortunately not looking good for the owner-operator.DetailsOn March 15th, California Judge Roger Benitez ruled against the California Trucking Association’s and Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association’s (OOIDA) latest request for injunction.Does the name sound familiar? If you have been following the AB-5 story, […]
The Freight Logistics Optimization Works (FLOW) program has confirmed that there has been an influx of imports headed to the West Coast, which makes for some interesting news for truckers operating from the ports near the Pacific Ocean.CauseThe reason for this increased rate of West Coast arrivals is two-fold. One is an increase of extremist […]
It has been almost a full year since we last wrote about the Clean Freight Coalition (CFC), but in that year they have been working in the background studying to determine how much money it would cost to transition the nation’s entire medium-duty and heavy-duty inventory from diesel to electricity. The number is not pretty.DetailsThe […]
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 […]
We at TopMark Funding have written about predatory towing practices in the past, including steps taken by both the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Transportation. Now the states are getting involved as Florida is inches away from implementing a law in opposition to the practice.DetailsWhile the Bill, titled HB 179, has not been officially […]
The year is 2819. The red planet has been completely terraformed and colonized as the second planet for humanity. After a shipment of the finest cheese comes from Switzerland, Earth by way of cargo ship, it must then go to its final destination on the fourth planet from the sun, and truckers are the way […]
The tragedy of Jason Rivenburg is one that is hard to stomach. The abridged version for the faint of heart is that he was robbed and murdered in 2009 after parking his truck in an unsafe location due to a lack of proper truck parking. Three years after that fateful day, the Federal Highway Administration […]
The purported trucker shortage is partially fueled by the barrier of entry to becoming a trucker. It is fantastic that only the best and brightest should be allowed to operate a heavy-duty big rig, but at the same time, the trucking industry is imperative to the nation’s economic vitality. To that end, the FMCSA is […]
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 […]
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 […]
February and March are two of the coldest months of the year, but that has not stopped wildfires from rampaging across the second-largest state in the USA, and the largest of the 48 contiguous states. To that end, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has enacted a State of Emergency.DetailsThe Declaration is extremely vague in its wording, […]
One common trend in the trucking industry is that if there is a new regulation that will stymie the trucking industry, a lawsuit is all but certain to follow. This is what has become the case with the Louisiana Motor Transport Association (LMTA), which is suing the United States Department of Labor (DOL) for its […]
Iowa 80 Group, owners of the World’s Largest Truckstop and its neighbor, the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum, is adding another building into the fold with a new warehouse spanning 251,000 square feet.DetailsThe Iowa 80 Group says that 177,180 square feet of the warehouse will be used as their own distribution headquarters for their trucking accessories […]
Avid readers may remember when we talked about the average cost per mile of operating a truck according to American Transportation Research Institute’s (ATRI) data from 2023. In the article, we mentioned how your mileage may vary (literally):“Of course, as with all averages, one size does not fit all. Truckers who work primarily in California […]
History does not repeat itself, but it often rhymes. That is what is happening right now with the case of Julie Su, and how she is once again going through the nomination process to become the Secretary of Labor.DetailsThe previous attempt to nominate her did not go through as it was met with a lack […]
What may be the single largest trucking event (either that or the Walcott Truckers Jamboree) is just around the corner yet again: the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) for 2024 is all set to go in Louisville, Kentucky, and it is hoping to be the biggest one yet.Details“MATS is the one event on the industry calendar […]
Not too long ago, we wrote about Washington state implementing a limit to idling for heavy-duty trucks, saying “The Evergreen State is giving California a run for its money with a new bill being debated in its state Senate.” We would like to now issue a retraction, as California is among many states that already […]
Oftentimes when people think of computer hackers, they think of what is known as the “brute force” method: having hundreds of computers trying every possible combination of characters within the parameter limits of a password until one of them gives way to access into the account. While it makes for good cinema, it is not […]
While not quite up to California’s level of regulation, Washington is still pretty high up there when it comes to regulating the trucking industry. The Evergreen State is giving California a run for its money with a new bill being debated in its state Senate. Senate Bill 6304 would fine a truck driver $300 to […]
The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) has once again done some data collecting to determine where truckers might want to avoid if they want to get to any destination quickly.MethodologyThe methodology used to find their data is similar to what it was in 2023.Assume the optimal speed for a truck at each bottleneck is 55 […]
ISEE, a technology company researching automatic driving for commercial vehicles, has announced that it is working with an unnamed Fortune 100 customer in Texas and has a fully autonomous truck yard operating. What are the implications?DetailsWith 1.7 million square feet and 750 different trucking bays, the facility is able to buzz with work day or […]
Truckers traveling through the Keystone State may want to take caution and plan ahead, as PennDOT is closing approximately 500 miles of road due to safety concerns resulting from nasty weather.Tiers Causing TearsPennDOT has a system it uses to determine how closed roads are due to freezing temperatures, rating closures on a scale of one […]
In the distant past of February 2019, back when a “corona” was little more than a beer brand in most people’s minds, a company named Stoneridge had its technology approved by the FMCSA for five years. The company had developed a system of cameras called MirrorEye that were intended not just as a replacement for […]
You have probably heard the jokes before about hidden fees. The resort fee, the paper-reduction fee, the convenience fee, the fee management fee. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has published in the Federal Register some plans in order to mitigate them. When it comes to fees for towing commercial trucks, the United States Department of […]
What do you do when you need $2.1 billion in funding for a bridge, but will only receive $1.2 billion from state and federal funding sources? You apply a toll to the bridge, in hopes that in time it will eventually recoup the remaining costs. That is the plan that the state of Louisiana is […]
Oregon, in its state constitution, says that to fund road repair, the state has the power to tax vehicles based fairly and proportionally on how much damage each one slowly but surely chips away at the road’s health, namely, the weight of the vehicle. For passenger vehicles, this is limited to a fuel tax, while […]
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that, if passed, will loosen regulations on Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) holders as they transition to obtaining a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). That is a lot of acronyms, but the real potential problem is what effect this will have on […]
The war for more commercial vehicle parking continues, with this time the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) weighing in to provide funding.My Kingdom for a SpotWith the number of available truck parking spots to the number of trucks on the road being a ratio of about 10:1, there is a lot of work to […]
One of the most fun aspects of being a fleet owner is managing all the various types of permits that the business needs to be operating lawfully. To that extent, the Gem State is implementing a new system that will allow fleets to renew their permits all at the same time, saving time and money.Details“Bulk […]
This January appears to be one for the record books.We wrote about last week how eleven different states had States of Emergency as a result of extreme winter weather. Well, it appears that the season is not slowing down any time soon, as seven more states have joined in on the Declarations.DetailsThere are seven new […]
The number one reason everyone gets into the trucking industry is because they want to spend dozens upon dozens of unpaid hours every year waiting at loading bays before they can hit the open road. As such, we are flabbergasted that the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) plans to conduct research on the negative impacts […]
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 […]
It has been around three months since the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) revised its terms for declaring a State of Emergency, so things must be pretty hectic out there in the winter weather when eleven different states are calling on truckers for help. Details These eleven states in question, along with their Declarations: […]
It seems like when it comes to trucking under strict Californian regulations, truckers can never seem to get a break. It seems their ban on operation of diesel vehicles by 2042 will have reverberating effects, as the decreased tax revenue from gasoline and diesel fuel taxes will lead to worse road conditions.DetailsThe news comes from […]
Touting itself as the “most powerful tech event in the world”, CES took place in Las Vegas from January 7th to the 10th. All sorts of industries attend to show off the latest and greatest gadgets, but what we are interested in is the transportation industry, namely, the autonomous trucking and green trucking revolutions, both […]
Inflation is a powerful thing.That is probably what you were thinking when you read the headline for this article, but the situation at hand is significantly more nuanced than simply fees for the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) going up because of rampant inflation in years prior.DetailsCreated by Congress in 2005, the UCR is a coalition […]
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 […]
The Department of Transportation and the larger federal government as a whole have left the concept of autonomous vehicles, trucks included, to be a states rights issue. As a direct result, states have differing opinions on the up-and-coming technology.Texas Embraces ItTexas has had legislation on the books supporting autonomous trucking since 2017, but now it […]
With all the constant news in the trucking industry regarding Class 8 trucks that have zero direct emissions–whether that be hydrogen or electric energy, you would think that the road would be filled to the brim with these types of vehicles and diesel fuel would have gone the way of the horse and carriage.The truth […]
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 […]
Walmart is the largest retailer in the United States, and soon may become the owner of the largest private network of electric charging stations in the nation as well.DetailsCurrently, Walmart has 1,300 charging stations at 280 locations, but that means that there are approximately 4,420 Walmart stores that do not have any charging stations. Vishel […]
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) continues to be the star of the news within the trucking industry, as it has sent a letter to the California Trucking Association (CTA) that it will not be pursuing enforcement of the Advanced Clean Fleets Regulation until the Environmental Protection Agency rules on its validity. Details The Advanced […]
Happy New Year! As people make new resolutions to improve themselves for the new year, January 1st is also the most popular day for changes in laws and regulations, in part because of how easy it is to remember as a date.One such change is an increase of regulatory fines to match inflation, under the […]
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 […]
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 […]
Daimler Trucks, the folks behind popular truck brands Freightliner and Western Star, are partnering with numerous companies to test out its hydrogen fuel cell technology. Details Electric trucks have been in the news a lot lately, but another piece of the equation to supplant diesel fuel and make trucking more green is hydrogen fuel cells. […]
One of the strongest arguments in favor of the transition to cleaner energy such as electric or hydrogen-powered trucks is the economic viability of these alternative fuels: with everything from the war in Ukraine to OPEC negotiations determining the cost of diesel fuel, switching is an investment that slowly but eventually pays off.The time horizon […]
We at TopMark Funding love to hear about more parking spots, so we are excited to report that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is earmarking money to give to the Iowa Department of Transportation and Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) in the pursuit of more public parking spaces for commercial trucks.DetailsThe funding comes from […]
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has been in the news a lot lately, as it dishes out regulation after regulation in pursuit of cleaner air and less global warming/climate change. It has suffered a slight obstacle in its pursuit of its mission, as a California trial court has ruled that one of the regulations […]
Commercial vehicles haul approximately 70% of the nation’s freight and are invaluable when it comes to emergencies such as hurricanes and earthquakes that cut off vital infrastructure, requiring the delivery of important supplies such as blankets, drinking water, and petroleum fuels, but HW Electro, a Japanese car maker, has thought of a new thing its […]
It started off as an expansion project to expand the Washington Bridge in Providence, Rhode Island on the I-95. While the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) hoped to keep the bridge fully open during the construction project, an unfortunate discovery is going to cause traffic to approach a standstill.DetailsWhile hammering at reconstruction on the […]
Very recently, we wrote about the increased enforcement against illegal truck parking in Greenwood, Indiana, wherein we said:“With some forms of government working to alleviate the problem of truck parking (such as Arizona) and others (like Greenwood) fighting only the symptoms, it will be interesting to see how things turn out in the years to […]
On Tuesday, December 12th, the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced plans that it is working on creating standards for technology to check if the drivers of passenger vehicles are intoxicated or otherwise impaired before the car can move normally.DetailsThe device is required as a part of the massive Infrastructure Investment and Jobs […]
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) has petitioned the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in regards to an exemption for CDL testing.DetailsIf the title and introductory paragraph of this article freaked you out, there is minimal cause for worry. FLHSMV is not about to let anybody who wants to operate […]
We know that truckers today have a hard time finding proper parking. By now you have probably heard the statistic: 10 trucks for every parking spot available. This leads some truckers to park in “creative” places, such as freeway ramps. Not only is this illegal, but it is dangerous, and in an attempt to save […]
The story of Yellow, the trucking company that almost lasted a full century, is slowly but surely coming to an end, as many of its terminals have now been auctioned off in order to pay off its debts.DetailsIn total, $1.9 billion was raised and 75% of Yellow’s land was pawned off to twenty other trucking […]
Blasted supply and demand economics strikes again! The New York Traffic Mobility Review Board has come up with a plan that will charge vehicles money to enter lower Manhattan, the most densely populated area in the United States and is cramped even with no vehicles in it, in a plan to both reduce congestion in […]
The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is well aware of the parking problem that truckers face, and is working on renovating its public rest areas so that it may have more parking spots for commercial vehicles.DetailsThe current plan is to spend $32 million in funding received from the National Highway Freight Program on three locations […]
On November 30th Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttgieg announced that, through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) initiative, the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) is offering up to $1.5 billion in federal grant money to improve infrastructure and fortify the supply chain for 2024. Details “Across the country, I have seen […]
Almost a decade ago at the time of publishing, there was a viral sensation that hit the United States by storm that was referred to as “Solar FREAKIN’ Roadways!”, with promises of using solar power to create better, more durable roads that had built in features such as led lights and heating if the road […]
You do not need to be a truck driver to know that towing companies can be pretty shady when it comes to its perfectly legal but otherwise questionable business practices, such as locking up a vehicle at 11:59 P.M. and charging for the full day. To that extent, the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) has […]
The timing is impeccable how around the same time that we published an article regarding states that are following in California’s footsteps in promoting green energy commercial vehicles by standing against fossil fuel vehicles such as diesel that Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont withdrew proposed regulations that would have banned fossil fuel vehicles in the Constitution […]
It is often said that where California goes, so does the nation. That seems to be the case with the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and their Advanced Clean Truck Regulation, which requires truck manufacturers to start selling a specific percentage of their trucks as zero-emission vehicles in 2024, with the percentage slowly increasing until […]
President Biden was the first person to speak at the first meeting of his new supply chain resilience council, and it was offering a brighter future for Americans.“We know that prices are still too high for too many things, that times are still too tough for too many families, but we’ve made progress.”With that, the […]
On November 15th, officials from California, the United States federal government, and Mexico convened in Calexico to cut the ribbon on a General Services Administration (GSA) project that would expand the bridge there.DetailsThe Calexico East Land Port of Entry, the formal name for the bridge, connects Calexico, California with Mexicali, Mexico. It is located approximately […]
The Fighting Opioid Abuse in Transportation Act is dedicated to, as you can probably guess, fighting opioid abuse in the transportation sector of the United States. To accomplish the Act’s goal, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) plans to hold a virtual meeting to discuss whether or not fentanyl testing should become […]
Inflation is everywhere; that much is obvious. But one place that it appears to be hitting stronger than in other areas is the cost of repairing and building new roads for the nation’s lifeblood: highways.DetailsThe Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has what it calls the National Highway Construction Cost Index (NHCCI), which you can see a […]
In a surprising turn of events, the I10 overpass in Los Angeles that was shut down due to arson is being opened far ahead of what was originally anticipated. What was planned to be three to five weeks has instead turned into approximately ten days.DetailsIn his initial speech about the closure, Governor Gavin Newsom said […]
There were a lot of strikes in the news these past few months, so we kept our eyes on this story while it unfolded but refrained from writing about it until it resolved. Well, here we are, the United Auto Workers (UAW) has reached a bargaining agreement with Mack Trucks.DetailsAfter a thirty-nine day strike, the […]
When it comes to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enforcing safety, usually one thinks of safety from collisions, but could it also include safety from being scammed by bad faith actors? We remember writing an article three years ago where the Transportation Intermediaries Association said this falls out of the purview of the […]
In the first instance since the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) had updated the rules regarding States of Emergency, Governor Andy Beshar of Kentucky has signed off on one that applies to truckers.DetailsThe entire Declaration can be read on the relevant webpage. It starts by mentioning drought that is causing wildfires to emerge statewide, […]
A fire had broken out under Interstate 10 in Los Angeles on November 11th. Now, officials are shutting down the roadway to make repairs, with no reopening in the foreseeable future.DetailsOn the night of Veteran’s Day, scattered wooden pallets under the bridge caught ablaze and damaged the bridge above it. Nobody was hurt in the […]
Veteran’s Day has come and gone, and unfortunately for us fell on a weekend this year, so we did not publish an article to celebrate, but we hope that publishing one now is timely enough to pay our respects to these warriors-turned-road-warriors.DetailsAccording to the United States Census Bureau, five percent of the nation’s workforce comprises […]
A Bill that was signed by Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt at the end of April 2023 has officially come into effect as law on November 1st. It will now be easier for future truckers in the state to get their commercial driver licenses!DetailsThis new legislation does not make the testing any easier, compromising the safety […]
Information from the Energy Information Administration published on November 6th shows that, after a slight increase in the middle of October, diesel fuel has decreased in price during the two weeks following that price bump, to lower than what it was before.DetailsThe national average for diesel fuel increased 10.1 cents per gallon the week of […]
The truck parking problem, how there are over ten trucks for every standard truck parking spot in the United States, is a gargantuan problem that will take numerous angles in order to solve. Besides the federal government and private enterprise, one such angle is state governments. The American Trucking Associations (ATA), with its members comprising […]
The Truck Safety Coalition (TSC) is dedicated to bringing awareness about the potential safety risks involved with trucking in order to minimize them, in pursuit of that ever elusive goal of zero annual truck deaths. To that end, it has compiled data from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) to find what states […]
Brakes are one of the most important aspects of a truck: just as important as a truck’s capability to move is its ability to stop. To that end, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has had their annual Brake Safety Week, and has now analyzed the data. The results may sound good at first, but […]
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 […]
The Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. In recent memory, the two names are synonymous with a backlog crisis from the end of 2021, but in the past two years the twin ports have increased their processing capabilities to handle more drayage containers than ever before. Of course, the trucking industry benefits immensely from […]
We at TopMark Funding love to hear about news regarding more truck parking spots, and that is just what has happened over in the Hoosier state.DetailsThe Kankakee Welcome Center, located about 50 miles south of Gary, reopened on October 24th after construction. The entire revamp cost $40 million in federal grant money, and with it […]
If your fleet hires drivers from the Hawkeye state, you can take solace in knowing that there are going to be more truckers to hire in the years to come as the cost of CDL training tuition decreases, or at the very least does not increase, due to state grants provided by the Iowa state […]
It seems the California Air Resources Board (CARB) simply cannot stop regulating the trucking industry. Stemming from a state bill from 2019, CARB is now collecting data on non-gasoline trucks, buses, and other heavy-duty vehicles.DetailsThis mandate applies to all trucks that perform business in California, regardless of whether or not the truck and its fleet’s […]
After receiving $4.3 million from a federal grant, Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) has opened a 20-acre truck driving center that is estimated to be able to process up to 20,000 students annually, once all the required staff has been hired.DetailsTexas is one of the most populous states in the nation, and as such […]
It is almost hard to believe that it has been a little under a year since we wrote about the 2023 event dates from the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), and now 2023 is just about over (or over, if you are reading this in 2024). With no time for complacency, the CVSA has announced […]
Trucking news has been alight with worry ever since California announced its eventual diesel truck ban, including with the California Truckers Association’s plan to sue the California Air Resources Board. But while some people oppose the new regulations, others are welcoming them with open arms, such as the state of Pennsylvania.DetailsThe move to ban diesel […]
Clearly, the best part of being a trucker is no doubt spending time in traffic. Nothing is more enjoyable than watching vehicles heading the other direction on the highway zooming by as you fight painstakingly for every inch!The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) decided to estimate the cost of traffic to the economy in 2021, […]
Not too long ago, we informed you that the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) was conducting survey research about the biggest issues plaguing the trucking industry. Now, the results have been released and to quote James Carville, “It’s the economy, stupid.”MethodologyThe way by which they accumulated their data is the same as last year’s survey: […]
In an unexpected turn of events, J.D. Valuation Services reports that model years at the auction decreased in value if they were newer and increased if they were older. It is quite the interesting phenomenon.August 2023 Used Auction NumbersModel year 2021: $63,375. This is a decrease of $599 (0.9%) from July.2020: $59,543, a drop of […]
It appears that the numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) have been going every-which-way in the past few months. Here are the preliminary numbers for those two months, circa October 2023.Employment NumbersWe last reported that July 2023 employment was 1,604,300. This has since been updated so that the final number is 1,600,900.August 2023’s […]
When there is a lot going on in the trucking industry, it makes sense for us to do freight rate updates less often than once a month. For now, here are freight rates for August and September.August 2023 RatesDry van hauling jumped two cents per mile to $2.08.August saw a short drop for flatbeds, three […]
Texas Governor Greg Abbott strikes again, as “Operation Lone Star” picks up and results in another round of increased scrutiny for trucks entering the nation via El Paso.DetailsThis is the third time in recent history that the state of Texas has ramped up border security. The main reason is the same as the last two […]
When it comes to diesel prices, we have been on a bit of a roller coaster these past few years. However, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) has some news: the nationwide average price for diesel fuel has dropped below $4.50 per gallon.DetailsThe EIA surveys fuel prices across ten regions every week. Compared to the same […]
It seems strikes are common in the current news cycle. First there was news about a potential UPS strike as well as a strike upon Yellow, and now Mack Trucks has joined the fray.DetailsContrary to the previous two companies, which were logistical companies working with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), this is a truck […]
Global politics is weird.One of the key reasons why diesel prices at home are so high is because of geopolitical tensions. Russia is invading Ukraine, and as such trade between Russia and western countries such as the United States has been stymied. It looks like that may be coming to an end, as Russia announced […]
Last month we wrote about both July and August 2023’s truck sales and wrote that it was highly unlikely that September 2023 would see a year-over-year increase considering just how high the ninth month of 2022 was. This happens to be the case, however, the numbers for 2023 are still the highest for the year, […]
If the port backlogs of Long Beach and Los Angeles a little under two years ago taught us anything, it is that the nation’s demand for national goods is constantly on the rise. To that end, to be ahead of the curve, The Georgia Port Authority (GPA) has submitted a permitting application to build a […]
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) seems intent on introducing speed limiter regulation despite negative reception for drivers. Perhaps as an olive branch, the FMCSA is taking a small step back on the subject for the time being. Details The idea of requiring speed limiters was first put on the table in late 2016, […]
When it comes to Jay Leno, you probably know him for one of two things. Either you know him as the former late night show host, or you know him as a connoisseur of all things motor vehicles. Tesla was interested in his opinion as the latter, and as such let him drive a Tesla […]
Three years ago Nikola Motors started breaking ground on a factory for hydrogen fuel cell electric commercial vehicles (we wrote about it briefly when it was first announced). Now that the factory is complete, they are ready to get to work.DetailsThe news was brought to light on September 28th 2023, at the finished manufacturing facility, […]
In a surprising move, California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed Assembly Bill 316, which would require autonomous vehicles to have a capable driver on alert at all times, effectively making it no longer autonomous.DetailsWe wrote about this earlier in September 2023. The California government works a lot like the United States’ legislative branch, where if […]
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is finding itself under fire from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), saying that the agency dealing with commercial vehicle safety needs to set better standards in handling complaints.DetailsThe full report, which you can read on the GAO’s relevant webpage, spans sixty pages, but the entire debacle can be […]
Every few handful of years, we hear about how Congress is arguing about debt ceilings and deficits and trying to avert a government shutdown, with sometimes that government shutdown happening. But what does it entail for drivers on the road, actually? Day to Day Operations Will Continue There is no such thing as a full-on […]
We wrote earlier about what Amazon and Target were doing to prepare for the holiday season, and how it may affect jobs in the trucking industry as the rising tide lifted some boats. That seems to be the case here, as the United Parcel Service (UPS) announced on September 26th that it will be hiring […]
The East Coast really is getting a hard time this hurricane season. The number of states near the Atlantic Ocean that have declared a State of Emergency in response to watery winds has increased from seven to ten.MarylandMaryland is worried about general nasty weather, including “inland flooding and isolated tornadoes”, and to that extent the […]
It seems as though every year, the holiday season starts to appear just a little bit earlier. First it was after Thanksgiving with Black Friday, then the holiday season started to creep into October, and now companies are planning for it as early as September. This year it can be traced to September 19th, as […]
More hurricane news! This time, the hurricane is hitting the northeast, and some states are already declaring emergencies to be ahead of the curve, before Lee hits land as a category five hurricane.MaineMaine’s State of Emergency Declaration, which you can read on the relevant FMCSA webpage, does not directly pertain to truckers. Instead, it is […]
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is stepping up its game when it comes to getting more drivers on the road, but it does not want to sacrifice road safety to do so. To that end, the FMCSA is putting $44 million into grants for CDL training.DetailsThe announcement came on September 14th, 2023. You […]
J.D. Valuation Services has given another update on the prices that used Class 8 vehicles are going for at auction. For the most part, the data is to be expected: as vehicles get older, their value decreases. One model year, however, has bucked that trend.July 2023 NumbersModel year 2021: $63,974, which is $12,420 (16.3%) lower […]
Freight Transportation Research (FTR) has posted its finalized numbers for July and August of 2023 in regards to new Class 8 truck sales. While July was not much to write home about, August was indeed quite an interesting month from a statistical point of view.July 2023 NumbersFTR pins the number of sales in July 2023 […]
If you have been a part of the trucking industry for any length of time, you are no doubt aware about the parking problem: the dearth of legal parking spots for commercial vehicles that cause truckers to spend over an hour finding a spot, or worse, parking in illegal and unsafe locations. Congress has introduced […]
Some people prefer to drive during the night, which is understandable: there is something special about the serene calm of the darkness while there are fewer vehicles on the road. But driving at night can also come with its own perils as well, most obviously, it being harder to see, but even things you might […]
Slowly but surely, the electric vehicle revolution is coming. One of the greatest obstacles slowing it down is the need for a more robust charging infrastructure, and one subset of that problem is the repair of existing but damaged EV charging stations. To that end, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is offering state Departments of […]
When it comes to electric trucking, one of the largest obstacles blockading it from becoming the primary fuel source is the dearth of batteries. A joint venture by Accelera (owned by Cummins), Daimler Trucks, PACCAR, and foreign tech startup Eve Energy Company are coming together to build a new plant in the USA to produce […]
Every year, the millions of truckers across the United States haul over 5 trillion ton-miles of freight, making sure that people can get the goods they need to improve their quality of life whether that is an air conditioning unit in the summer or kerosene fuel for the winter. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) knows […]
I-80, spanning from one side of the country to the other, is no doubt one of the most traveled roads for commercial vehicles, so it stands to reason that along I-80 is a fantastic place to put more truck parking spaces. That is what the folks over at the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) deduced, […]
We still have a long way to go before commercial vehicles become fully autonomous and remove the human driver entirely from the equation, but that is not stopping California from getting ahead of the curve by…trying to limit it? Yes, the state normally known for technological innovation is now trying to legislate autonomous trucks away […]
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) sometimes likes to announce its inspection blitzes to help drivers prepare for them, but other times it likes to catch drivers by surprise to see what they are doing when they think nobody is looking. This is what happened to hazmat drivers on June 12th-16th, when the CVSA did […]
Hurricane Idalia is hitting the eastern seaboard, and what was once a problem for Florida is now expanding into other states. Here is what that entails for the four states below.GeorgiaGeorgia’s Declaration covers a variety of topics, which you can read on the FMCSA webpage, but what will catch the eye of truckers is the […]
So, it happened. Yellow, just a few months shy of being a century old, has gone out of business. The question that remains is what happens to the LTL market? The answer: it will go on as it always has.DetailsThere is a saying that a rising tide lifts all boats, but the same is true […]
Besides traffic, one of the most aggravating aspects of being a driver is the time spent waiting at facilities for the truck to load and unload. This time is often unpaid, further exacerbating the problem. The FMCSA wants to study what effects this issue plaguing the trucking industry has on safety. If they do something […]
The IRS considers the fiscal year for the Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT) to start July 1st, the halfway point of the year. The taxman wants to remind fleets that it is time to pay the piper for trucks that will be used in full this year. We hope this guide makes the experience of […]
Update: Hurricane Invest 93L has upgraded into Hurricane Idalia. Stay safe! It seems both sides of the United States are getting hit with natural disasters this late in the summer. First, it was California with Hurricane Hilary, and now Florida is having a tropical depression, currently named Invest 93L, that has the potential to become a […]
The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), which provides the industry with various types of helpful information, is now collecting data from industry stakeholders about their biggest concerns for the future of trucking to compile in their annual report.DetailsThis is the nineteenth time that the ATRI is doing its Top Industry Issues Survey. If you would […]
Earlier this week we wrote about how the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) analyzes the annual Department of Transportation report on bridges. The good news is that the number of bridges in need of repair are going down, but the bad news is that it is at a slow rate, averaging 1,400 a […]
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is never done with its task of putting on more and more stringent regulations in pursuit of higher air quality. You might remember the diesel ban of 2042, but that is still almost two decades away from the time of this article. There is a new regulation that is […]
Are you ready for the future? It is still numerous decades away, but that is not stopping Kodiak Robotics from forming a partnership with the Pilot Company to create a station that will support autonomous vehicles.DetailsThe new station is located on a standard truck stop in Villa Rica, Georgia. The planned uses for it include […]
California is a very large state, so although we are headquartered here in Roseville, the most water we have gotten in the past month is a quarter inch at the absolute most. Compare this with the southern half of the state, which is having a bit of a crisis due to Hurricane Hilary. As such, […]
Here is some uplifting news. The United States’ infrastructure has been an issue for decades now, as bridges have been in desperate need of repair, but often only being repaired when it becomes an emergency. According to recently released data, however, things are starting to look up for bridges nationwide.DetailsThe American Road & Transportation Builders […]
,000,000 in trucks, has a 25% average tax rate, and generates 0,000 in income for the year, the maximum your business can claim in deductions is 0,000. Fortunately, the additional 0,000 in deductions can be carried over to the next year. Software must have non-exclusive use. Purchasing tax preparation software from a retailer is eligible […]
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), one of the leading regulators of the trucking industry, said that California’s and Washington’s rules regarding breaks did not apply to truckers. They are instead under the jurisdiction of federal regulations. This declaration happened in 2018 during the Trump Administration, and as such the current establishment is heavily […]
Do you enjoy sitting in traffic when you drive, regardless of whether it is in an 18-wheeler or a 4-wheeler? Neither do we. One of the most common points of congestion tends to be bridges, as they are the only common method of getting a motor vehicle across a large system of water. So one […]
The road to alternative fuel sources in cars is long and arduous, let alone within the trucking industry. Recently, Tesla had undergone a safety recall regarding its electric Semi truck, and now a rival company named after the same famous inventor, Nikola, is doing the same.DetailsThe news comes after two trucks were set ablaze at […]
Time really does fly when there is a lot to report about in the trucking industry. First, we let details about truck sales for the month fall by the wayside, and now it turns out we have been skimping out on reporting freight rates! Here are the numbers for the last four months for all […]
Sacramento is a stone’s throw away from our headquarters in Roseville, California, so we are excited to hear and to report that the Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is getting an infrastructure investment that will help bring electric trucks one step closer to becoming the mainstream form of trucking fuel.DetailsWattEV, a company from Long Beach, is […]
It is not a surprise to anyone that truckers are slowly but surely becoming older on average: we often cite the statistic that every year, the average age goes up by about a month. This is in part due to how much regulation goes into preventing new drivers from entering the workforce, creating a barrier […]
We here at TopMark Funding love to report on the news when it is especially positive, but we do not get the privilege of picking and choosing when the news is good versus bad. There is no sugarcoating it: the number of trucking jobs experienced a slight decline in July. The Bureau of Labor Statistics […]
Remember when we used to provide you with updates regarding the number of truck orders for each month? There are two reasons why we have been lingering in reporting this for the past quarter. The first is that there may be a difference between the preliminary numbers and the final numbers reported for the month, […]
Do you want your fleet to suffer fewer crashes? Apparently one of the easiest methods to do so is to join a state’s trucking association, according to research compiled from the American Transportation Research Institute.DetailsThe study, which you can read in full provided you give the ATRI your information, has 35 pages of statistical terminology […]
California is a very beautiful state geographically, but when it comes to governmental regulation, its intense burdens can leave something to be desired for the average fleet traveling within state borders. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has announced that it is planning to form what it calls the Truck Regulation Advisory Committee (TRAC), which […]
You may remember earlier how we wrote about a potential United Parcel Service strike from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), and event that would almost be twice as cataclysmic for the American supply chain as the previous strike in 1997. Well, consumers can now breathe easier, as the two parties have come to an […]
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) International Roadcheck 2023 has come and gone during the May 16th-18th. This is what they found.ResultsIn total, almost 60,000 vehicles were inspected in the three days. That is roughly the same that it was last year, at approximately thirteen per minute.116,669 violations were found, meaning on average every inspection […]
Trailers, by definition, are inert objects that are pulled by something else to get it moving, but in terms of the trucking industry, part of that definition may be changing due to a new technological innovation from Range Energy.DetailsRange Energy’s new electric trailer, the RA, has its own battery that it pulls power from to […]
Similarly to Vermont, the Bluegrass State is now suffering from an overabundance of water. Governor Jim Gray has declared a State of Emergency in direct response to these events. Details This Declaration is very different from the one in Vermont. Whereas Vermont’s Declaration was very vague about who it applied to and what it allowed […]
We talked about a potential strike incoming from Yellow workers that would have gone into effect by the time you read this, but the situation has changed. While a strike is still on the table, Yellow now has an additional month to mitigate it.DetailsThe entire debacle started when the Yellow Corporation failed to make proper […]
For the fifteenth consecutive year, The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) approved of a 5% toll increase for 2024. It is a small amount, but it is still helpful to know for our east coast truckers.DetailsIf you use an E-ZPass, the toll will increase from $14.40 to $15.20. If you travel on the Turnpike rarely and […]
Here is a fact that appears to be not so well known by people on the road: speeding is a bad idea. A coalition of eleven states wants to remind drivers of that important detail, and as such on July 26th they are working together to enforce speed limits more than usual, while also hopefully […]
Bills that are introduced into Congress often die, but the good news is that they can always be tried again and again, and only have to get through once. That is the case with the Modern, Clean and Safe Trucks Act of 2023, or H.R. 1440, which is the latest attempt to get a bill […]
With a different Congress now in session, the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, essentially a national version of California’s AB-5 law, is attempting to make its way through the chambers of Congress to become a law.DetailsThis will mark the third iteration of the PRO Act that we have covered. The short version is […]
It is now the dog days of summer, and you know what that means: heat and dryness for a majority of the country. Where has all of the water gone? Apparently the answer to that is Vermont, as the state is suffering from widespread flooding. Governor Phillip Scott has issued a State of Emergency regarding […]
We wrote about UPS workers with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), but there is another potential strike looming that, while not having as much reverberating effect on the economy as a UPS strike would entail, is certainly something too large to be ignored. Yellow Employees represented by IBT, approximately 22,000 in total, may go […]
When we post these recorded findings on average auction rates for Class 8 trucks across the nation, we stay put when it comes to saying whether now is a good time to buy or a bad time to buy. After all, if a truck’s price is dropping, will it drop further? If it is increasing, […]
The United Parcel Service is one of, if not the, largest carrier(s) in the United States. They are estimated to handle 20 million parcels every day. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) union represents 340,000 UPS employees, and the two sides are unable to reach an agreement regarding labor terms. If they cannot reach an […]
The Iowa 80 Truckstop prides itself as being “The World’s Largest Truckstop”, but it is also home to the largest trucking event of the year. This year the folks over in Walcott, Iowa are planning to maintain that record by aiming higher than ever before.DetailsThe previous year’s Walcott Truckers Jamboree had 45,000 attendees, and the […]
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) believes its compiled statistics for the start of 2023 brings some good news for the future of traveling on the road, not just for 4-wheelers, but for trucking as well.DetailsNHTSA estimates that in the first quarter of 2023, there were 9,330 traffic fatalities. In a vacuum this may […]
One of the most important topics we cover here at TopMark Funding regarding the trucking industry is the country’s infrastructure, and how it is often in desperate need of repair. International truckers traveling to Canada and back by way of the Blue Water Bridge at Port Huron, Michigan, need to know that for the next few […]
Another month has gone by, and as such the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has updated its number regarding employment in NAICS 484 (transportation). Here are those updated numbers.June 2023 Employment DataThe first June 2023 estimate says 1,609,700.The revised number for May 2023 is now 1,609,900, an increase of 700 from the first.The final number […]
You may remember how we have been reporting that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is placing some of the strictest truck emission regulations in the entire world. Now, CARB has reached an agreement with other truck manufacturers under the banner of the Clean Truck Partnership.DetailsMembers of the new Clean Truck Partnership include:CarbFordNavistarPACCARVolvo Group North […]
The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) has performed some data collecting to find out the average cost a truck will pay when it comes to operating a truck, at least for the years 2013 to 2022. This information can be quite helpful for fleet owners in making business decisions.DetailsThe listed costs on a per mile […]
One of the greatest problems facing the trucking industry in the transition from diesel to electric battery power is the lack of charging infrastructure. After all, it took approximately 100 years for fossil fuel stations to reach the prevalence they have right now, so replacing all of that with electricity is bound to be difficult. […]
Regardless of whether you deliver specifically to a place in New Mexico or use the state as an easement to get somewhere else, it is important that you know this new information. Starting July 1st 2023, which is before the time you are reading this, truckers can be fined for traveling in the left lane […]
A little over a month ago, we wrote an article asking if automatic emergency braking (AEB) will ever become standard on heavy-duty trucks. We now have our answer, as the Department of Transportation (DOT) wants to require it on all medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles in the year 2027 and beyond.AEB and How it WorksSimply put, […]
The Lone Star State and its northeastern neighbor are declaring States of Emergencies in direct response to hectic weather the two states have been having recently.TexasIn response to severe weather conditions and signed by Governor Greg Abbott on June 17th, the Texas Declaration is extremely vague in its wording. You can read the Declaration on […]
As of the time of writing, Julie Su is going through the nomination process to become the Secretary of the Department of Labor, where she will lead numerous faucets of government such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Her nomination has been a tumultuous one, with many trucking industry organizations voicing dissent against making her […]
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro announced on Friday, June 23rd that the I-95 bridge that had collapsed earlier this month was now open once again for drivers to travel across.DetailsThis is not to say that the road work is complete by any stretch of the imagination, rather, temporary bridge crossings that span three lanes each way […]
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 […]
There are numerous answers as to how long the repair of the I-95 bridge in Philadelphia will take, but the construction has begun. To help keep the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) accountable, they have set up a livestream of the construction project.DetailsThe way YouTube is set up for live streaming is that it turns […]
NordPass, one of the largest cybersecurity firms on the planet, has released data regarding its transportation clients’ passwords. No specific data was given out, but the general consensus is that you all really need to work on your passwords.DetailsAccording to NordPass, here are the most common passwords used in the transportation industry:[Company Name]password123456[Company’s email domain].comaaron431[Company […]
It has been a little over half a year since the Tesla Semi hit the market, and there is a new safety concern that has led to thirty-six of the machines to become recalled voluntarily by Tesla.DetailsFrom the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration:“Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Semi vehicles. The door open […]
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 […]
We have written about the I-95 collapse a bit this week, but that was inconvenient to truckers traveling on the east coast. It is time for west coast drivers to feel the pain of road repair, as Caltrans has planned to start repairing sections of Interstate 80.DetailsDrivers that travel on I-80 between Hercules and Crockett […]
It has been a while since there has been a State of Emergency anywhere in the country that trucking could help with, as things seemed to be moving smoothly throughout the nation. That has finally changed, however, as Kristi Noem, Governor of South Dakota, has declared a State of Emergency regarding the dearth of fuel […]
If you have been following trucking news as of late, you may be familiar with the strict emission regulations that California is planning to implement on the trucking industry. For those who are out of the loop, the short version is that all trucks sold in 2036 must be zero emission, and by 2042 it […]
The latest news in the transportation sector as a whole is the I-95 bridge collapse that happened as a result of a fire from an ignited tanker truck. The Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg was on the scene momentarily afterwards to assess the damage. Details Buttigieg gave a speech at the site on June 13th, […]
This is a sad story that we hate to report on, but it is also a necessary one to highlight the importance of infrastructure investment.A bridge for one of the largest, most commonly used interstates in the nation has collapsed, causing massive detours for people hoping to travel along the east coast.DetailsOn Sunday, June 11th, […]
California may be strict with its upcoming emission regulations, but that does not mean that fleets traveling in the Golden State are being left in a river without a paddle. As such, California is offering to pick up the tab on the purchase of new electric or hydrogen vehicles.DetailsRegardless of whether your business operates garbage […]
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 […]
On Wednesday June 5th, the California State Assembly passed legislation in a vote that, should it become law, prohibit vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds from lacking a human driver in the front seat. Now, it goes to the California Senate.DetailsThe reason for the two bans is twofold.The first is that the state does not […]
The primary State of Emergency exemption from the COVID-19 pandemic, the one regarding waiving hours-of-service requirements within reason, has long since passed, but its smaller brother, a waiver that enables some third-party CDL skill tests examiners to also conduct CDL knowledge tests, is still ongoing. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) wants to stop […]
Another month, another update regarding the trucking industry job numbers, courtesy of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).May 2023 NumbersInitial estimate for May 2023 is 1,609,200.Revised number for April 2023 is 1,608,600. This is a slight decrease from the initial estimation of 1,612,500.Final employment count for March 2023 is 1,607,600. Last month it was estimated […]
It has been a while since we have brought you an update regarding the average auction prices on used Class 8 trucks, so we thought we would give you a lightning round of what has happened in the first four months of the year, thanks to the fine folks at J.D. Valuation Services.January 2023 NumbersModel […]
A long time ago, in an pre-COVID-19 era, we at TopMark Funding wrote about how we think autonomous trucks will not replace the human driver for well over a decade. While our opinion of that still remains very much true, it is still possible that level 4 autonomous trucking may just be around the corner.DetailsTuSimple […]
Usually when there is a Brake Safety Day coming up from the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), there is ample time of warning for when it is going to occur. Not this time! To make sure drivers are keeping their vehicles in shape at all times, the CVSA has decided to shake things up by […]
When it comes to the war on truck parking, some non-drivers are much more interested in just sweeping the problem under the rug. After all, out of sight, out of mind, right? The St. Paul City Council has voted seven to zero in favor of banning truck parking within city limits.DetailsThe ordinance forbids truck parking […]
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 […]
On Tuesday May 23rd, the House of Representatives voted 221 to 203 in favor of revoking the Environmental Protection Agency’s recently listed Heavy Duty Truck Rule. With the Senate recently voting similarly, albeit with a slimmer majority, it now goes across Joe Biden’s desk.DetailsRecently, the EPA has listed two standards, one for 2027 and another […]
We have written about some of the contents of the SHIP-IT Act before, namely the tax incentives that are intended to boost the total number of truckers on the road. One other inclusion in the SHIP-IT Act is the testing of an increase on the weight limit that a big rig is allowed to be, […]
Are you familiar with the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot (SDAP) program, which enables drivers aged 18 to 20 to haul freight across state lines? If so, you may be surprised (or not so surprised) to find out that it has been a failure.The program was capped at 3,000 drivers, but currently only has about ten. […]
We at TopMark Funding are fascinated by the truck parking problem and steps that people from all walks of life such tech gurus, regulators, and lawmakers take to fight it. What about the truckers themselves? Bennett Motor Express has taken it upon itself to expand its business operations from simply hauling goods to providing truck […]
We used to do constant updates regarding diesel prices as a national average, but have since slowed down in that regard. It is time we bring out the champagne, though, as for the first time in over a year, the average diesel price across the nation has fallen below the $4 per gallon threshold.DetailsThis has […]
If you have watched television in the last decade or so, there is a pretty good chance you have seen a commercial regarding automatic emergency brakes (AEB) in 4-wheel cars.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fAGGlVhRUkYou may even have the feature in your own car. Is it possible that it will become a standard requirement on heavy-duty trucks? All indicators point […]
Nothing like a little bit of international drama.The country of Mexico is flabbergasted at the actions of the state of Texas, which recently announced increased scrutiny regarding inspections of trucks entering the state from Mexico. This is not the first time that this has happened, with it happening in April 2022 and ending with an […]
In the war of truck parking, drastic measures have to be taken to win every additional spot. This article may seem similar to one we wrote in March regarding the state of Missouri remodeling rest stops to have more truck parking spaces, but now Indiana is joining the cause.DetailsStarting June 1st, the Indiana Department of […]
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 […]
The American Transportation Research Institute (ARTI) is a nonprofit that conducts research to obtain information that may better the trucking industry. On May 5th, the ATRI’s board reviewed and approved research topics that ATRI’s Research Advisory Committee said needed observation. This is what they plan to study for the rest of 2023.Truck ParkingWith truck parking […]
History does not repeat, but it very often rhymes.You may remember a little over a year ago how the Texas Department of Transportation (TDOT) inspected every single truck that entered into the United States from Mexico. With Title 42 now at an end, TDOT is ramping up its inspections yet again.DetailsThe Trump-era Title 42 was […]
The trucking industry seems to have no end in sight to its momentum, as it continues to climb to greater and greater heights with each passing month. The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ numbers for the last three months are below.April 2023 DetailsThe initial estimate for April is 1,612,500.The first revision for March has the employee […]
The race for green energy trucking is a worldwide phenomenon, and South Korean manufacturing company Hyundai is one of the global contenders that is now hoping to get its foot in the door within the United States market with its new fuel cell trucks.DetailsOn Tuesday, May 2nd, Hyundai Motor Company announced that it would be […]
Federal regulators are trying their hardest to get Americans to eventually switch away from fossil fuels such as petroleum, but that does not mean they do not need it now. Both of the states Nebraska and North Dakota are suffering from fuel shortages at the current moment, and to that extent both governors are issuing […]
When a private application on a smartphone takes your private data, sometimes it is not to sell you more products through advertisements. Sometimes, the data can be used to discover valuable information to solve problems. This is what the developers behind Trucker Path, a company designed around solving problems for the trucking industry, have decided […]
We here at TopMark Funding love a good thought experiment. They are very helpful in understanding key facts about the trucking industry, especially if the reader is not a commercial driver, but still notable if he or she is.Here is a question for you: how far does every trucker in the United States travel in […]
No, this does not mean that you will be required to cite the hours-of-service regulations from memory. Instead, it is about drug tests and the methods by which the Department of Transportation (DOT) performs them.DetailsThe DOT has filed a Final Rule in the Federal Register saying that it will use “oral fluid” as a means […]
Once again, trailer sales and Class 8 truck sales are going together like peanut butter and jelly. As with the number of tractors sold for March 2023, the number of trailers sold for that month means that the record-breaking backlog is finally starting to come down. That is a nice way of saying that sales […]
When we have written about the number of net truck orders for each month for the past two years or so, expectation and reality have almost always been divergent. Whether it is COVID-19, pent-up demand as a result of lower sales in months prior, or supply chain woes, sales have often smashed or fell short […]
Go big or go home, right?We have written before about how the California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced plans to require half of new trucks to be fully electric when 2035 comes around, but recent changes make that ambitious benchmark appear tame in comparison.DetailsNow, CARB has voted unanimously in favor of stricter regulations.By 2036, all […]
With the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) upcoming International Roadcheck, some travel stations that also offer maintenance are hoping to cash in on the event by offering their repair services to fleets and truckers.Love’s Travel StopsAs of the time of publishing, Love’s Truck Care is offering a free TirePass service (tire inflation and inspection) with […]
The most populated state in the nation, California always seems to be in the news when it comes to the trucking industry. Usually it involves regulations that make trucking harder, but depending on how you look at this one, it could easily be seen as something beneficial to drivers.DetailsCalifornia’s legislative system works similarly to the […]
There is an old adage that says April is the wettest month of the year. While that is not actually the case (that title goes to June), it seems to be the case for some sections of Florida this year.If you have watched the television news as of late, there is a good chance you […]
The American Trucker carries the same energy of the American cowboy of the 19th century, working hard and constantly to make the lives of others just a bit easier. Here are some facts about American truckers that will leave even non-truckers in awe.How much Freight is Hauled Each Year by Truck?The American Trucking Associations (ATA) […]
We have talked at great lengths about the attempts of the government, both federal and state such as California, to make the commercial transportation industry cleaner. Sometimes it involves the ban of sale of specific engines while allowing their use, but other times it is banning use altogether. There is one method left that the […]
The trucking industry is no stranger to being a scapegoat for pollution, what with the stereotype of the big diesel truck shooting out plumes of smoke with every tire rotation, so the Biden-Harris administration is both taking drastic steps itself to curb emissions, while also authorizing states such as California to go even further beyond. […]
It is almost hard to believe that the last time we covered the topic of side underbody guards for trailers was around two years ago, but it has come up in the news again! When the effort to require them did not make it through the halls of Congress, the National Highway Traffic Safety Association […]
The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) is once again asking truckers for their opinions, this time on a more controversial topic: the use of legalized marijuana while having a trucking career. Details The survey is not asking if drivers should be allowed to drive while under the influence of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the compound in marijuana […]
Before we start seeing fully autonomous trucks buzzing around on the nation’s highways, there are dozens, if not hundreds, of hurdles that the technology will have to overcome. One of them is the maintenance of the hardware systems that tell the self-driving truck where everything is. Kodiak Robotics, a startup trying to be the first […]
What is Commercial Truck Insurance? Commercial truck insurance is a type of insurance policy specifically designed for businesses that operate commercial trucks and vehicles. It provides financial protection to the business owner and driver in case of accidents, theft, or other incidents involving their commercial trucks. Commercial truck insurance typically covers various aspects such as: […]
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 […]
The National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) has tracked 4,842 lethal truck crashes in 2022. A trucking services company called Simplex Group has compared the numbers of large truck crashes in each state to the total number of traffic incidents that resulted in at least one casualty to find which state is the safest for […]
When a four-wheel driver decides to do a brake check on a big rig just for fun, and it leads to something catastrophic, it does not impact the carrier’s ranking in the CSA Safety Measurement System. This is because the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) only wants to penalize drivers who find themselves in […]
One of the most important aspects of running a thriving business is to reinvest profits back into the venture in order to increase future profit. Love’s Travel Stops is no exception to this rule, and has committed to spending well over $1 billion to expand its empire, to truckers’ benefit.Renovation and DemolitionLove’s announced recently that […]
Nobody becomes a trucker to sit around and twiddle their thumbs while they wait for other people to get moving, so why is detention time so widespread amongst the trucking industry? That is a question the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is hoping to tackle by first conducting a study.DetailsThe Infrastructure Investment and Jobs […]
They say that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb, and with the trucking industry, that seems to be the rule as well, as freight rates continue to decline, they are also showing signs of stabilization. DAT Freight & Analytics has the numbers.March 2023 NumbersNational dry van averages dropped from […]
In our haste to provide reporting on other aspects of the trucking industry, we had skipped over the February 2023 numbers when they first came out. This is of minimal consequence, because if the numbers from March are accurate, it appears as though February’s drop never happened. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has the […]
The plot of the Matrix franchise begins when humanity creates AI that is so smart and so capable that it asks “Why are we serving these meatbags when we could have them serve us instead?” It was clearly a warning against an overdependence on technology, but that has not stopped life from imitating art.The AI […]
California, for better or worse, is always on the cutting edge of green technology in the trucking industry, but is it possible that it has gone too far this time with a new mandate that will require at least half of all new trucks sold in the state by 2035 to be fully electric?DetailsThe Biden […]
In December, we wrote about how the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act was gaining momentum within the United States Senate, but also mentioned that it was only the first step to actually getting any legislation done, as it would need to go through the House of Representatives as well. That is happening now.DetailsThe Truck Parking […]
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 […]
It is basic physics that it takes more fuel to accelerate an 80,000 truck than a sedan. With this logic in mind, the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) is hoping to use technology to make the streets of the Dallas-Fort Worth area more accessible to truckers by making it easier for them to […]
It seems as though it was just yesterday when we wrote about the simplification of the permit process for commercial vehicles in the great state of Iowa. In the conclusion for that article, we wrote: “With the Hawkeye State working to expedite the process of providing relief during emergencies, it raises the question as to […]
It is no surprise to anyone that federal regulations are becoming stricter and stricter in regards to emissions from the transportation industry, especially regarding Class 8 trucks. While nobody is against cleaner air, some trucking industry stakeholders believe a more modest approach to the problem is the key to balancing economic and environmental interests. Out […]
What Are Commercial Vehicles? Commercial vehicle classes are differentiated based on their Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and are designed to cater to a wide range of transportation and business needs across various industries. Ranging from light-duty Class 1 vehicles with a GVWR of up to 6,000 lbs, such as small cargo vans and pickup […]
If you have been following the truck industry for even a second since the coronavirus pandemic ended, there is a 99.9% chance that you have heard us or another player in the field use the word “backlog”. The simple fact of the matter is that truck building has always had a backlog, even in a […]
In what might be the largest business deal in the trucking industry that we will see this decade, Knight-Swift, one of the largest fleets in the nation, has decided to purchase U.S. Xpress, a smaller but still significantly large truck fleet, to the tune of $800 million.Acquisition DetailsKnight-Swift is acquiring the smaller company in the […]
Heavy-duty trucks play a vital role in the transportation and logistics industry, enabling businesses to move goods across vast distances. For many companies, purchasing a heavy-duty truck can be a significant investment. This article will explore the different classes of heavy-duty trucks, discuss the financing options available, and provide helpful tips for securing the best […]
Depending on who you ask, the average trucker age can vary. For instance, the Bureau of Labor Statistics says that it is almost forty-six. One thing that statisticians can likely agree on is the trend that the number is slowly but surely going up, not down. In order to prepare the drivers of the future, […]
Does this story sound familiar? Last year, we wrote about how the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) had plans to reduce Unified Carrier Register (UCR) fees for 2023. Now, it looks like they are going to do it again.DetailsThe UCR, a system where fees are collected from and given to 41 member states, has […]
When you consider that January and February tend to be the slowest months of the year for the trucking industry, the fact that the numbers did not change too much from the year prior is a good sign. FTR and ACT Research have the numbers.January 2023 NumbersFTR reports the January 2023 orders for big rigs […]
Commercial vehicles play a vital role in various industries, from transportation and logistics to construction and public transit. To better understand the diverse range of commercial vehicles and their specific functions, it’s essential to familiarize oneself with their classification systems. In the United States, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) classifies commercial vehicles into eight distinct […]
In many ways, TopMark Funding’s home state of California is ahead of the curve, such as with stringent engine bans. However, there is one area of interest that California is lagging behind upon when compared to other states such as Arizona and Texas, and that is that it currently forbids the testing of larger vehicles.DetailsThe […]
Vocational vehicles, also known as work trucks, are specialized vehicles designed for specific work purposes. These vehicles are commonly used in construction, transportation, and maintenance industries. They come in different shapes and sizes, ranging from light-duty pickups to heavy-duty trucks. In this article, we will take a closer look at the most popular vocational vehicles, […]
Driverwyze, a company that works with the Department of Transportation and other enforcement agencies on the road, is adding Pennsylvania to the list of states that it serves for bypassing weigh stations for truckers.DetailsDriverwyze’s PreClear system enables drivers, either through ELD, tablet, or phone, to skip weigh stations and other inspection stations in a legal […]
TopMark Funding is located in Roseville, California. We are a few miles northeast of Sacramento, and most consider Roseville to be part of the “Greater Sacramento Area”, despite being in Placer County. The winter storms that had been declared in thirteen counties earlier have expanded into twenty-one more, and as such Governor Gavin Newsom is […]
By the time the Internet publishes this article, two rest areas in Missouri, southbound I-29 near Dearborn and I-35 near Lathrop, will be closed for around seven months. This will put more pressure on the truck parking problem in the Show-me State, but not for long, as the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is planning […]
The Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association (AVIA), knowing that the federal government is going to regulate them eventually, has taken a proactive approach to its problem by outlining suggestions on what it thinks the government can do to help autonomous technology flourish while keeping people safe.DetailsYou can read the entire 12 page document at the relevant […]
In the United States, commercial trailers are an essential part of the trucking industry. They are used to transport goods, materials, and equipment across the country. There are various types of commercial trailers available, and the choice of trailer depends on the cargo being transported. Among the different types of trailers, there is one that […]
TopMark Funding’s home state of California has a state sales tax of 7.25%, the highest in the nation for consumers wanting to upgrade to the next highest size of flatscreen television. But even the highest standard sales tax rate pales in comparison to the Federal Excise Tax (FET), a 12% levy put in place to […]
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse is the system by which the federal government tracks commercial drivers’ use of mind-altering drugs, and, should their licenses be revoked, how far along in the steps the driver is in being able to return to service. However, there was a loophole that a […]
Tow trucks play an essential role in our society, providing a vital service for drivers who are stranded on the side of the road. However, with so many different makes and models available, it can be challenging to determine which tow truck is the best for your business. Whether you’re looking for a traditional tow […]
In January, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency regarding widespread winter storms. Anyone living in the most populous state in the nation right now would agree that the downpour, after a short break, has continued. As such, another State of Emergency has been declared in the Golden State. Details You can read […]
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is revising its rules regarding hours-of-service (HoS) violations that lead to out-of-service (OoS) declarations. In doing this, the CVSA hopes to allow more truckers on the road without compromising safety.Cooking the BooksDriving beyond the standard HoS does not normally lead to an OoS violation, it is the proven act […]
When Robin Hutcheson was promoted from Deputy Administrator to the top of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there was a vacancy for the Deputy position. The USDOT has found the person for the role: a man named Earl Adams Jr.The Experience of Earl Adams Jr.Normally, the Deputy Administrator position does not need a […]
Life has some universal truths. We will all die one day, the sun is very hot, and the month after the holidays tends to cause a lull in the trucking industry. In regards to trailer orders, 2023’s first month of the year was not an exception to the rule. ACT Research has the numbers!January 2023 […]
A lot of transportation and infrastructure red tape requires the use of American-made products when it comes to serving the public good. The logic makes sense, as the roads and railways are for Americans and ought to be made by Americans. However, this process takes time, and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is suspending the […]
Easily one of the greatest issues tackling the trucking industry today is the lack of available, safe truck parking. We once postulated that perhaps businesses with extra parking space could sell it, and one startup company, the Truck Parking Club, is hoping to pair weary drivers with companies hoping to make a few extra dollars […]
Remember when we talked about the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards regarding trucks in model years 2027 and beyond? Well now there are senators seeking to overturn the rulings. EPA Rule Details and Opposition As a quick reminder, some of the changes for 2027 models and beyond include: Warranties for trucks must be increased from […]
Winter this year is going to end not with a whimper, but with a bang, as the National Weather Service (NWS) expects this week to have tumultuous weather conditions in the midwest. Truckers beware! Details The NWS is predicting that for the rest of the week the northern midwest, including states such as Iowa and […]
Is it just us, or is this winter colder than most? The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) seems to agree, as it is extending a State of Emergency for eight states in the hauling of various fuels.DetailsThe first Declaration was in direct response to the Suncor refinery in Colorado having an unexpected shutdown, leading […]
Semi-trucks play a crucial role in the transportation industry, and it is a job that requires great responsibility, skill, and dedication. The demand for skilled truck drivers is increasing, and the industry is offering attractive salaries to attract and retain the best talent. As a result, truck driving has become one of the best-paying jobs […]
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has been in the news quite a bit lately, and this article is no different. Here is a taste of what the FMCSA is planning on changing to its Safety Measurement Systems (SMS).Relearning the BASICsSome modeling that the FMCSA uses to determine high-risk drivers is the Behavior Analysis and […]
You may remember a few months ago where we calculated how long it would take for a truck driver to travel across the entire United States using an electric truck. Another interesting question to consider when taking extra to time charge with electricity when compared to diesel is how many chargers it would take to […]
We know that the title has plenty of acronyms, so allow us to elaborate. The American Trucking Association (ATA) has a Technology and Maintenance Council (TMC) which will be hosting its annual meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition (TTE) on February 27th.Transportation Technology Exhibition DetailsThe event will run for four days at the Orange County Convention […]
Autonomous trucks are still numerous decades away from fully replacing the human driver, but that has not stopped labor unions representing truckers in California from petitioning the state Legislature to put in regulations that protect California’s truckers from becoming displaced by the technology.Autonomous AutomobileCalifornia already has set rules in place regarding self-driving vehicles that weigh […]
A new year, a new slow season! As to be expected when the holiday season ends, demand for deliveries across hundreds of miles have started to decline. Add in the lower amount of agriculture harvested within the United States, and the supply and demand equation is sure to shift. DAT Freight & Analytics has the […]
Conventional wisdom would dictate that once the slow season begins after the holidays, the number of trucking jobs would decrease. After all, all of the presents have been shipped, so demand is lower than it would be in December. In reality, this is seldom the case, and 2023 is not an exception to the rule, […]
Since August 2020, there has been an ongoing lawsuit between the American Trucking Associations’ Intermodal Motor Carriers Conference (IMCC) and numerous ocean carrier equipment organizations over the required use of specified intermodal chassises rather than truckers any chassis that fits specifications. Recently, a Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) administrative law judge ruled that this practice was […]
The American Research Transportation Institute (ATRI) releases some interesting data tidbits that the average trucker can use to better plan his or her routes. The simplest answer? Stay away from Houston!MethodologyThe ATRI lists its methodology of how it got its numbers. Here is the gist of it:Assume the optimal speed for a truck at each […]
Trucking is a critical part of the transportation industry and has a major impact on the economy. Despite being a male-dominated field, women are making their mark in trucking and proving that it’s not just a man’s job. This article will explore the role of women in trucking, including their growing presence, the challenges they […]
Autonomous trucks are no doubt still far into the future, but that has not stopped the Federal Motor Safety Administration (FMCSA) from preparing to regulate them. They have announced a Supplemental Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (SANPRM) where they request public feedback on how self-driving trucks should be regulated as they become more common.DetailsThe SANPRM […]
The people working in our federal government are fully aware of supply chain issues that have been plaguing the nation for roughly a year now, and understand the key to greasing the wheels of the economy involves the United States trucker. Two Representatives, Dusty Johnson of South Dakota and Jim Costa of California, have reached […]
Missouri is spending money into workforce education. Out of $30 million in total to be given to 19 organizations across the state, four truck driving schools are receiving $5.9 million in grants.DetailsThe money is granted by way of the American Rescue Plan Act Workforce Training Grant, which Governor Mike Parson says, “From day one, our […]
J.D. Valuation Services is happy to report that the data they have collected show used Class 8 trucks are continuing their market correction from the highs earlier in the year and in 2021.December 2022 NumbersUsually one or two model years will go against the general trend as with what happened in November 2022, but the […]
Can we interest you in a double feature? The trucking industry has lately been firing on all cylinders, and trailer sales have not been an exception to the rule. Unlike the rest of the trucking industry, December saw an acceleration of trailer sales. ACT Research has the numbers.November and December 2022 Trailer SalesAccording to ACT […]
You might remember at the end of 2021 there was a port backlog crisis that choked an already strained supply chain. To avoid this from happening, some members of Congress are suggesting a bill to enlist the help of a previously-barred demographic: drivers not old enough to drink.DetailsTruck drivers under the age of 21 are […]
On January 16th there was an event called the Heavy Duty Aftermarket Dialogue (HDAD) conference in Texas. HDAD describes itself on its website as, “an outlook conference specifically directed toward the heavy duty aftermarket supplier industry.” One of the presenters there was MacKay & Company, which is similar to FTR and ACT Research but focusing […]
The trucking industry is full of researchers trying to find the next big thing in replacing diesel as the main source of fuel. Between electricity, various forms of natural gas, and hydrogen cells, it can be a lot to consider. Now, a new contender has entered the ring that has certainly caught us by surprise.DetailsAmmonia […]
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is considering increasing the amount of readily-available assets (mostly cash) that a broker must have on hand to pay fleets who have completed deliveries for them, as written on a proposal in the Federal Register. Details The way things are now, a broker is required to keep $75,000 in […]
The trucking industry has been hard at work these last few months due to the holiday season. As a direct result, fleets were scrambling to get more bodies into their trucks. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has the numbers.December 2022 NumbersDecember 2022’s preliminary estimate stands at 1,601,500. This is either the third or fourth […]
2020 was certainly a special year. A recently released report from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) can give us some insight into how the year that most people stayed home impacted the trucking industry.Facts & FiguresThe entire document is over 230 pages long and covers many various aspects of the transportation industry, including freight […]
What’s New? Research conducted along an East Coast freight corridor found that truckers are missing out on open parking spaces due to a lack of visibility of what’s available, and drivers’ perception, based on trucks already parked along the side of the highway, that all spots are taken. “The most influential factor — or the […]
December 2022 marks the third month in a row of continuous decline for big rig orders, but when four months ago was a record month for sales, the industry still has plenty of diesel fuel left in its tank. FTR and ACT Research have the numbers.December 2022 NumbersACT Research has their preliminary numbers at 30,300 […]
There are dozens upon dozens of different obstacles that autonomous trucking needs to overcome before it can become a reality and replace humans behind the wheel. One that is seldom talked about is what happens during a vehicle malfunction. A robotics start-up called Kodiak Robotics is hoping to program an autonomous truck that can handle […]
Loyal readers may remember what we had written about in the past, how California was experiencing intense drought and how the federal government may want to install a pipeline that can distribute water from where it is flooding to where it is dry. That will not be needed anymore. California is experiencing intense downpour to […]
What’s New? On Jan. 4 President Joe Biden took a trip to Kentucky to visit the tattered Brent Spencer Bridge. The goal was for the administration to highlight the bipartisanship infrastructure law. During this visit, the Federal Highway Administration also announced $2.1 billion in first-round grants to repair economically significant bridges. “I believe it sends […]
Happy New Year everyone! New Year’s day typically entails lots of partying, friends, and the start of new laws because it is convenient.The California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced an update to a rule regarding the ban of older engines, due to their disproportionate emissions. As of January 1st, it is now illegal to drive […]
The holiday season is now in the rearview mirror, so now we can look at the data from December and determine what effect the holidays have had on the trucking industry. In regards to freight rates, it appears things are going back to normal for the industry.December 2022 NumbersDry van increased three cents to $2.41 […]
There are numerous reasons why speeding is a bad idea; the ticket that you get if you are caught is one of them. Rosenblum Law, a legal firm that fights traffic cases, has compiled the costs for CDL drivers speeding more than 15 miles per hour above the speed limit.MethodologyRosenblum Law found the costliest speeding […]
According to the Energy Information Administration data report, released on Dec. 26, the average national diesel fuel price has gone down 5.9 cents in the past week, bringing the total average to $4.537 per gallon. Since Nov. 7 diesel prices have dropped 79.6 cents, from $5.333 a gallon to the current average of $4.537. This […]
We have come to the end of another year. Perhaps it is just us, but this one seemed to be the fastest one of the 2020s decade thus far. Here are the biggest articles of each month in the trucking industry, as voted by your eyes!JanuaryIn case you need a timeframe reference for how long […]
The General Services Administration (GSA) has announced its plans of using $3.4 billion from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 on ports of entry. The money will be spent on fifty projects in eleven states to revitalize the infrastructure of international commerce, with both our northern and southern neighbors.DetailsThere are fifty total projects […]
J.D. Valuation Services has reported the average auction prices for used Class 8 trucks in November 2022. It is what we had anticipated the month prior: the intersection of supply and demand determining price is still the king of economics.November 2022 DetailsModel year 2020: $96,350: an increase of $7,325 (8.2%) from the month prior.2019: $77,767; […]
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published its most recent final rule regarding regulations for heavy-duty trucks. The entire document is over 1,100 pages long. Would you be willing to settle for an abridged version?DetailsHere are just a few of the regulations for the 2027 model year:Reduced tailpipe NOx limits to a level 80%-plus below […]
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) says that if current winter storms are any indicator of what is to come, the start of 2023 is going to be a time of great cold. As such, the FMCSA is giving hours-of-service exemptions to haulers providing heating oil, such as propane and natural gas, to numerous […]
You might remember the entire debacle regarding California’s AB-5 bill, intended to prevent the misclassification of workers, and how it applies to independent owner-operators driving under the Authority of another carrier. While the case is mostly settled for trucking companies within California’s borders, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is fighting to have it not apply […]
We have written about the truck parking problem for quite some time now, but there is a question that we have not really addressed. If there really are eleven trucks for each designated truck parking spot in the nation, where are truckers stopping to get rest? One tech company sought to find out. Details Lytx […]
All workers in the trucking industry may find themselves with intense work this holiday season despite record employment, as November 28th, 2022 was the biggest day for shopping in the United States ever, and most of it was done online.DetailsCyber Monday, the first Monday after Thanksgiving, is the day of the year that generates the […]
November’s truck month sales are a repeat episode of October’s: the count is high, much higher than the 2021 equivalent, but has decreased from the month prior. ACT and FTR have the numbers!November 2022 NumbersACT has preliminary orders at 33,000 while FTR reports 34,300. While this is lower than October’s estimate of 43,200, it is […]
Truckers have a curiosity for velocity, as the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) announced the results of this year’s Operation Safe Driver Week at the end of last month. The results were interesting, to say the least.DetailsIt is common knowledge that since the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdowns that put fewer vehicles on the […]
What’s New? On Dec. 2 President Joe Biden signed a bill to end the long-standing labor agreement between a freight rail station and its union workers. “The bill I’m about to sign ends a difficult rail dispute and helps our nation avoid what without a doubt would have been an economic catastrophe at a very […]
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 […]
It has finally happened. A day we almost thought would never come due to delay on top of delay, but it is finally here.At the GigaFactory party in Nevada, Elon Musk did the honors of handing the first Tesla Semi vehicle key card to the CEO of PepsiCo North America. Is this the start of […]
Every month the Bureau of Labor Statistics updates its estimates for job numbers in various industries for the past three months. Here is what is going on in NAICS 484: the trucking industry.November 2022 NumbersThe preliminary employment count for November 2022 is 1,601,300. A new record for the industry!The initial revision for October 2022 is […]
The quiet before the storm of the holiday season.Freight rates have encountered another slight decrease similar to what happened in October. Here are the DAT numbers.November 2022 NumbersDry van decreased another four cents to $2.38 per mile.Flatbed, like the month prior, dropped four cents. It is now averaging $2.83 per mile.Reefer rates stood stagnant at […]
If you have been watching gasoline and diesel fuel prices like we have, you might have noticed a trend regarding the two liquid fuels. Gasoline has its prices vary over time drastically, but diesel continues to command high prices. Why is this? There are numerous reasons that add up, here are two factors you may […]
Fleets operating within the drayage profession may want to start looking in the general direction of the sunrise, as an interesting phenomenon is happening regarding U.S. imports: some companies are opting to go around the United States rather than through it.Decrease at Long BeachExperts estimate that the amount of goods by weight being processed at […]
When you think of Tesla Motors, the human you are most likely to think of is Elon Musk. This article is instead about JB Straubel. He was the fifth employee to work at Tesla who only left the company as late as 2019, and now has his own company, Redwood Materials Inc.. It appears as […]
Much like with the truck sales numbers we have been seeing in the past few months, trailer sales are going through a renaissance at the moment, as supply chain issues that have been plaguing the trucking industry for numerous months are finally starting to clear up. ACT Research and FTR have the numbers!October 2022 NumbersACT […]
The month prior, September, was a record-breaking month for truck sales within the industry, so it was hardly feasible that October would be able to top it. While it predictably did not, it still outperformed the rest of the year by a wide margin. FTR has the numbers!October 2022 Sales NumbersFTR pins the preliminary net […]
What do you get when you ask truckers for help but also provide additional stipulations for them to do their jobs? You get a mess. This is what is happening in the state of New York, as the state government has declared both a State of Emergency and road closures for commercial vehicles. State of […]
We wrote earlier in the month how we were cautiously optimistic about the Tesla Semi becoming reality in the start of December, but now it looks like it has a 100% chance of becoming reality. Why? Because Tesla has announced a party to celebrate the end of the journey, and it would be embarrassing for […]
Chris Visser of J.D. Valuation Services calls the previous month of auctions for used Class 8 trucks to be a “market correction.” Based on the average prices that we had seen at the beginning of the year, we are inclined to agree with him.October 2022 NumbersModel year 2021: $151,905; $4,253 (2.9%) higher than September.2020: $122,088, […]
You may remember a month ago that we wrote about the case regarding RhodeWorks, a system of tolls that targeted truckers to raise revenue for infrastructure. One thing we mentioned that is worth repeating is that the $100 million that the RhodeWorks tolls accumulated over the duration of the litigation is theirs to keep. As […]
CALSTART is a non-profit nationwide organization hoping to help revolutionize the trucking industry through technological advancements in energy. To that end, they have created an online program called the Zero-Emission Technology Inventory (ZETI) Data Explorer. It is a cool tool that can help you, the truck driver/fleet owner, compare and contrast the specifications of current […]
What’s New? According to the CDC, 70 million Americans suffer from some sort of sleep-related disorder. Roughly 80 sleep disorders have been noted and the most common amongst truck drivers is obstructed sleep apnea. OSA is the most widespread sleep disorder in truck drivers according to Rodolfo Giacoman, fatigue management program specialist for Commercial Vehicle […]
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has a handful of events every year to make sure that the trucks on our roads and the drivers who operate them are fit to drive. In this case, they are announcing the 2023 events all at the same time, not counting the “surprise” events. Here is what they […]
While it is true that we are not going to run out of fuel any time soon, it is undeniable that people reliant on energy are feeling the strain of higher prices. In direct response to this, three states have enacted States of Emergencies to mitigate wallet damage.NebraskaGovernor Pete Ricketts of Nebraska has enacted a […]
What’s New? On Saturday, November 5, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union members approved the terms of the deal presented by the railroad. If you’ll recall, 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 […]
We at TopMark Funding have been busy. So busy, that we skipped a month on posting about monthly jobs in the trucking industry according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This month, we are getting it out of the way immediately so as to not forget. October (and September) 2022 Numbers October 2022’s first […]
History repeats itself. In September, the month prior, the rates for all three forms of freight decreased. October also had decreases for the month, but the extent to which all three decreased was lower than it was before. With the holiday season quickly approaching, is this a sign of a turnaround? DAT Freight & Analytics […]
What’s New? US Route 212 was awarded $10 million on Sept. 15 from the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America federal funding account. Route 212 is a major corridor that connects Southwest Minnesota and Twin Cities. The corridor spans 161 miles in Minnesota and connects 22,000 square miles of Minnesota and South Dakota. The funds will be […]
California is known for having some of the strictest trucking regulations in the country. While usually the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is satisfied with banning older year models of commercial vehicles as time marches on, they are proposing perhaps the greatest shift they have ever done: all fleets headquartered in California must be fully […]
What’s New? On October 11, the Biden Administration announced that $60 billion (yes, billion with a “B”) of federal funding would be used to repair transportation corridors nationwide. “America’s roads and bridges are the vital arteries of our transportation system, connecting people and goods across the country,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. On Oct. 13 […]
Elon Musk has been in the news a lot lately, most notably for purchasing Twitter for $44 billion. While the media press is focusing on the sensationalism of his latest exploits, a far more important story is flying under the radar: the release of the Tesla Semi is currently set to be a month from […]
Interstate 40 may be one of the longest roads in the United States, but truckers traveling along it where Tennessee meets North Carolina will want to take a detour, state officials warn, as things are about to become a lot more slow-moving around the state border. Details Oftentimes a highway will have a bridge segmentally […]
J.D. Valuation Services reports that while some used truck models increased in value at auction and others decreased over the month of September, the decreases were larger than the increases and created a net drop in used auction rates for the month.September 2022 NumbersModel year 2021: $147,458 (No comparison to August)2020: $89,336, a decrease of […]
It is late October, which means the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) has posted its results from its annual survey of driver issues. The results may surprise you.MethodologyThe methodology is the same as it was when we covered the results in 2020. 4,200 people were given a list of 28 different points of contention, and […]
The Department of Transportation’s latest Significant Rulemaking Report shows various actions it wants to implement in governing safety on the road. Speed Limiters on the Table The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) wants to continue considering applying speed limiters to trucks with electronic control units. FMCSA Administrator Robin Hutcheson knows how grossly unpopular the […]
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 […]
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), traffic fatalities in 2021 were estimated to be around 43,000, which is a 10.5% increase from an already high prior year. This news has led to the Secretary of the Department of Transportation to tweet about how safety standards on the road should be closer to […]
Thirty-one months to flatten the curve. In our last update regarding the coronavirus State of Emergency from the FMCSA, we talked about how the change in pace from the exemption being renewed every ninety days to every forty-five days could mean the Declaration may be on its last legs. It appears that that rings true, […]
The water distribution problem continues. As recovery from Hurricane Ian happens in the easternmost states, other states are suffering from a lack of water. The latest to join the trend is Oklahoma, upon which the governor has declared a State of Emergency.Hey, Hay!The typical Declaration is all about hours-of-service exemptions provided the driver does not […]
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is no stranger to having inspections on commercial vehicles for safety purposes, lest we forget the International Roadcheck that happened earlier this year. As it turns out, they have done another one, this time, the Hazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Road Blitz.DetailsIf this is your first time hearing about this event […]
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 […]
As we know, one of the major problems impeding trucking replacing diesel with electricity is the fact that it takes significantly longer to refuel. This asks the question of how far electric commercial motor vehicle technology has to go before it stands even a chance against replacing diesel as the leading form of heavy-duty trucking. […]
What’s new? Texas Department of Transportation has announced its plan to spend $85 billion on roadways, focusing on congestion, enhanced transportation safety, and improved highways over the next 10 years. The governor gave the stamp of approval on Aug. 30. The 188-page document outlines the planning and development for the Unified Transportation Program, which also […]
The trucking industry is composed of numerous facets that all interconnect with one another. While it would be nice to say everything in the trucking industry is sunshine and roses all of the time, that is simply not the case and while most of the industry can be thriving, good news in some aspects of the trucking industry can sometimes lead to less favorable news in others. Case in point: freight rates taking a slight dip in the last month.
It is no secret that autonomous trucking has come a long way in the past decade, but also that it has at least a decade of development still left to go. This demands the question as to how far along autonomous trucks have come now. What is the longest ongoing stretch of distance an autonomous […]
When demand outpaces supply for an extended period of time, it is like a shaken bottle of soda. Eventually, it is going to erupt. According to the preliminary numbers provided by FTR, that is exactly what happened in September.September 2022 NumbersFTR estimates the sales for September 2022 to be 56,500 units. That is:169% more than […]
Truckers traveling through Georgia, including if they are hauling relief supplies related to Hurricane Ian, might want to plan their route further ahead, as the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is closing lanes on the I-285 within the greater Atlanta area for numerous months.DetailsMaintaining infrastructure to avoid catastrophe is important. Doing so, however, has a […]
We do not post monthly updates for the ATA’s Truck Tonnage Index, which tracks a quality estimate of the total weight of freight hauled by all trucks in a month when compared to 2015. In any case, this is a special time and a cause for celebration, as the ATA Truck Tonnage Index is a […]
There appears to always be some weather phenomenon going on somewhere in the fifty states that comprise this country. This time, the topic of interest is Hurricane Ian, the second major hurricane of this year’s hurricane season. In response to it, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has declared a State of Emergency to […]
Tropical Depression Nine was spotted approximately 1,000 miles southeast of Florida on September 23rd, 2022, and the Sunshine State is expecting it to brush up against its shores. In a direct proactive response, Governor Ron DeSantis is issuing a State of Emergency that is fourteen sections long and is far longer than any typical Declaration […]
Truckers traveling along I-95 and other highways through Rhode Island have been paying tolls targeted towards them since 2018, but the U.S. District Court says that this must go on no longer.DetailsSince RhodeWork’s initial planning in 2015 the state has implemented twelve toll booth locations, with a thirteenth along the way had the U.S. District […]
America can always use more unsung heroes of the road. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis agrees with the sentiment, and on September 15th the governor granted $8.2 million dollars to five community colleges to boost their vocational trucking programs.DetailsFlorida is hoping that the one-time payment of $8.2 million will increase the number of truckers these five […]
International Roadcheck 2022 was a little over four months ago, and now the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance has published its findings of the 72-hour inspection blitz across the North American continent.ResultsThe CVSA performed 59,026 inspections over 72 hours, or over thirteen per minute.Mexico continues to reign supreme of the three countries in terms of out-of-service […]
Of all the various regulations the FMCSA requires, the ELD mandate is one of the most confusing. Truckers are required to use an approved Electronic Logging Device, but seldom does the FMCSA update the list to show which are allowed and which are not. Now the FMCSA wants to revise its mandate, and it wants […]
On September 19th the Truck Safety Coalition released a document listing the number of fatalities for each state, both by total number and by population. Here are those results.MethodologyThe Truck Safety Coalition compiled data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on truck crash fatalities in 2020, the latest data, and compared it to […]
It is widely considered that the most dangerous part of a Class 8 truck is the driver behind the wheel. If he or she is not actively paying attention, catastrophic damage can occur. Autonomous trucking technology is slowly getting better, but long before trucks ever become fully automatic, they will become easier to handle but […]
We have talked before about an impending decrease in auction prices due to demand slowly decreasing as a direct result of higher prices, but has that happened yet? It is hard to say, as some year models have dropped and others have risen. J.D. Valuation Services has the numbers.August 2022 NumbersModel Year 2021: No trucks […]
One of the less talked about obstacles for having trucks across the nation become fully electric is the strain on the power grid. Here in TopMark Funding’s home state of California, emergency declarations were put in place during a heatwave, asking citizens to not charge their electric cars because of the strain. This begs the […]
While the State of Emergency regarding hours-of-service and COVID-19 has been extended only forty-five days, its sister declaration regarding the handling of Commercial Learner’s Permits (CPLs) has been extended the typical ninety days.DetailsUnder normal circumstances, a CLP driver needs to have a driver with a CDL riding shotgun for the duration of training. With coronavirus […]
“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 […]
It is that time of year again. Do you love telling people your opinion? If you do, the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) wants to know what your greatest priorities are regarding current trends within the trucking industry.DetailsThe survey can be found on the ATRI’s survey webpage. For its methodology, the survey gives you twenty-eight […]
The trucking industry is always changing, and the research organizations are always revising their numbers. As such, we wanted to give you an update not only for July’s sales numbers, but also a change to what happened in June. June Numbers Increase In a previous article we reported that trailer sales for June 2022 were […]
July 2022 was, as expected, a relatively weak month for truck sales. As such, it is hardly a surprise that the truck sales for August were significantly higher. FTR has the numbers.August 2022 Truck SalesFTR places their estimate for August 2022 truck sales at 21,400, which is an increase of about double what it was […]
The day has finally come.The federal district court that initially placed the injunction against California Assembly Bill 5 for trucking, at the behest of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, has removed that injunction as of August 29th. The California Trucking Association is not giving up!Timeline of EventsCalifornia’s Assembly Bill 5 became law at the […]
In a period of excessive inflation, this news is sure to bring a smile to any fleet owner’s face.The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced via the Federal Register that it would reduce the United Carrier Registration fees by an average of 31% for 2023 and beyond.DetailsThe price cuts are as follows:0-2 vehicles: $59 to […]
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 […]
The trucking industry continues to roll on, with more drivers on the road than ever. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has posted updates. August 2022 Employment Numbers The first preliminary numbers for August 2022 pins the count at 1,595,500. July 2022’s second preliminary pegs the number at 1,594,700. This is a decrease of 300 from […]
The United States is suffering from a water distribution problem this summer: while the west coast cannot get enough water, the east coast is experiencing torrential downpour. As of the start of September seven states are undergoing States of Emergencies regarding water, be it a dearth or an abundance.AlaskaAlaska is the largest state in the […]
We were hoping on August 31st, the last day of the previous extension, that it would be the last. In the final hours, however, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has extended the Declaration another 45 days. This is the first time that the regulatory body has extended it by this period of time, usually […]
House Bill 479 aims to increase fines for truck drivers who park in residential parking, increasing fines up to $2,000. Currently, the bill is waiting on action from Delaware Gov. John Carney after it went through the General Assembly unopposed. “Staff from the governor’s office usually reach out to the chief clerk of the House […]
The temperature across the nation is not the only thing that is white-hot right now, freight rates have been experiencing similar extremes these last handful of months. Like the weather of the year, it appears that the rates are starting to cool down.August 2022 Freight RatesDry van decreased eleven cents to $2.53 per mile.Flatbed decreased […]
What’s New? Aug. 30 – Gas prices have fallen for 70 days consecutively. This is the second longest decline in gas prices since January 2015, falling for 117 days. According to AAA, gas prices are averaging about $3.892 per gallon after reaching a record high of $5.016 per gallon in June. Diesel Gas 2023 Predictions […]
Facemasks. Social distancing. Lockdowns. The list of the ramifications that this tiny crown-headed virus has caused the world is extensive. However, it forcing the world to become significantly more technological may work in the trucking industry’s favor. My Kingdom for a Spot If you have driven a truck for longer than a week, you understand […]
On August 24th, the BP Whiting refinery suffered a fire and for the time being is shut down for safety reasons. It is one of the largest refineries in the United States, processing around 440,000 barrels of crude oil per day. As a result of its closure, there is a shortage of various fuels in […]
Any trucker who has been on the road for longer than a week knows that it is hard to find dedicated parking to put the truck for a night. Oftentimes a trucker will have to make due with covering multiple spots intended for four-wheelers or a long stretch of curb in residential areas. New York […]
We have been so busy with covering other aspects of the trucking industry that we let a monthly update slip through our fingers. To make up for it, here is a double feature covering the Class 8 sales for June and July, using numbers from FTR.June 2022 NumbersFTR pins the number of Class 8 truck […]
Another month, another round of used Class 8 auction rates from our friends at J.D. Valuation Services. In this case, the downward trend mostly continues as four out of five model years saw prices decline in varying levels of intensity.July 2022 NumbersModel year 2021: $145,278. A decrease of $8,611 (5.6%) from June.2020: $116,840, a $5,839 […]
When you think of Tesla Motors, there are two features that you think about: the long range by electric vehicle standards, and the autonomous driving features. The California Department of Motor Vehicles is putting an ax to the latter.DetailsCalifornia’s DMV is suing Tesla Motors, filing with the Office of Administrative Hearings to say that Tesla […]
The Inflation Reduction Act has been passed across party lines (51-50 in the Senate, 220-207 in the House of Representatives), and was signed by Joseph Biden when it came across his desk. How is it going to impact the nation’s truckers?Fast Forward on Green EnergyThe most notable change that the signed law has on the […]
We are currently in the middle of an anomaly where flatbed hauling is more lucrative on a per mile basis than reefer hauling. With reefers tending to attract a higher rate in the summer due to temperature control, it is likely that we will be seeing flatbed remain dominant throughout the rest of the year […]
The Federal Bureau of Prisons is expanding its commercial driver’s license program to focus on incarcerated women. “CDL training is a career field which is in high demand throughout the U.S.,” said Donald Murphy, a spokesman for the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ Information, Policy and Public Affairs Division, in an interview with Transport Topics. “Inmates […]
We certainly did not expect to hear anymore news regarding the Tesla Semi until 2023, especially when the company has said that supply chain shortages have made it harder to build trucks due to the massive input required. Things are turning around, however, as Tesla CEO Elon Musk has announced via Twitter that the automotive-tech […]
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, as a part of last year’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, is giving away $44 million in grants to different state CDL training programs. If you are a fleet hoping to get more drivers in your trucks, here is what you need to know.Details“FMCSA’s core mission is safety, and […]
Loyal readers of the blog may have noticed a not-so-subtle pattern of job numbers within the trucking industry. Since March of this year, the trucking industry has been consistently hiring, adding more jobs each month than the one prior. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has the numbers.July 2022 NumbersThe BLS pins the first preliminary number […]
It would not be a summer season in California without rampaging wildfires, would it? Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a State of Emergency.DetailsIn the middle of a historical drought, California is prime land for wildfires in the season with the highest temperature.While the fires have not burned to the same extent as the Dixie fire […]
The American Transport Research Institute wants to know your thoughts on driving-facing cameras. Are they a bastion of vindication from verdicts in the outcome of a crash, or are they a massive invasion of privacy? Details The survey, which you can take on the relevant ATRI webpage, is twenty questions, and takes no more than […]
Here at TopMark Funding’s headquarters near the capital of the sun-drenched California, we are suffering from a tremendous drought that has left us wondering where all the water has gone. It appears we finally have our answer: it is hitting Kentucky and West Virginia with great force. So much so, that the governors of both […]
With the ongoing supply chain backup, fleet owners are working harder than ever to buy the parts they need. Many have to shop outside of their normal network and turn to e-commerce. Navigating the e-commerce world can be a little daunting, but these 10 tips will ensure you make a smart, efficient, and accurate purchase. […]
In today’s world, the news moves quickly. We reported recently about how the AB-5 protests in the port of Oakland, Long Beach, and Los Angeles were subject to blockage due to protests against California’s Assembly Bill 5, which would outlaw the owner-operator model except under specific circumstances. At this point in time, however, things have […]
If you have taken a step outside in the past few weeks, you may have noticed that it is blisteringly hot outside. The Northern Hemisphere is suffering a massive heatwave.One of the common side effects for a heatwave is the drying out of vegetation, both alive and dead, increasing the risk of fire hazards. This […]
Do you consider the idea of a truck driver under the age of 21 able to drive from Redding, California to San Diego to be okay, but traveling from Kansas City, Missouri to Kansas City, Kansas as unsafe to be an absurd notion? The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is inclined to agree, and is […]
Truckers helping truckers!On July 15, 2022, Jim Walz, the Governor of Minnesota, issued a declaration suspending the hours-of-service regulations in regards to the hauling of various petroleum-based fuels.DetailsThe entire problem is a logistics Catch-22, as truckers needing to haul fuels such as diesel and gasoline need diesel to haul them. Governor Walz hopes that by […]
Industry experts state that there’s an annual trend for trailer sales in that they usually bottom out in June. This year is no different as June 2022 is the weakest month for sales thus far, however, there is a silver lining to the news, according to ACT Research and FTR.June 2022 DetailsFreight Transportation Research pins […]
In an effort to combat multiple problems plaguing the trucking industry (emissions, maintenance, etc.), Cummins is planning to bring to market fuel-agnostic engines.DetailsContrary to the name, the engines believe that fuel exists, and each engine will take a particular type of fuel, so a lazy driver cannot pour renewable natural gas into a diesel engine.What […]
Following the Supreme Court of the United States declining to hear the case regarding AB-5 and how it applies to the truckers of California, truckers in California have taken to the streets to voice their concerns via protesting.DetailsStarting July 13th and still going at the time of the writing of this article, approximately 100 truckers […]
Another month, another update from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). As with previous months, the streak of job growth within the trucking industry continues, and the industry reaches a new all-time high.June 2022 NumbersThe initial posting for June 2022 is 1,589,500 jobs.The updated number for May 2022 is 1,585,200, which is a 3,900 increase […]
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 […]
It seems as though it were just last year that the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) had a Brake Safety Week. Likely, this year will be very much the same. With that in mind, we can look at last year’s results to infer what your truck might need looking at to avoid an out-of-service violation.Brake […]
It is fair to say that the used truck market has become a buyer’s market, as, according to J.D. Valuation Services, average prices across the board decreased double-digit points in June.June 2022 DetailsModel year 2021: $153,889. As this is the first month J.D. Valuation Services has tracked for model year 2021, there is no gain […]
Hazmat drivers traveling through Birmingham, Alabama will need to take a detour to avoid most of the city for the next handful of days, as ordered by the Alabama Department of Transportation under direction of the United States Secret Service.DetailsIn downtown Birmingham from July 7th to the 17th will be an event called the World […]
With the United States Supreme Court declining to hear CTA v. Becerra, the AB-5 law is expected to apply to truckers within California imminently. Aside from passing all three sections of the ABC test, there is another, lesser known exemption to the AB-5 rule that may allow California truckers to continue operating under the Authority […]
Another month, another update from DAT Freight and Analytics. In spite of everything going on in the world right now, freight rates have appeared to stabilize somewhat for the previous month.The NumbersAverage dry van rates were $2.69, a two cent decrease.Average flatbed rates were $3.44, a one cent decrease from before.Average reefer rates were $3.05, […]
Rear impact guards are an important component of truck safety, and while essentially all trailers have them, they are not all created equally. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has published a final rule to raise the minimum safety standards.DetailsThe published final rule is 107 pages long, but in a very abridged version, it increases […]
The Supreme Court has announced in an end-of-term orders list that it will not be reviewing CTA v. Becerra, making the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals verdict the official law of California.DetailsJudge Roger Benitez issued an injunction against the AB-5 law roughly two years ago, saying that the AB-5 law, when placed on the trucking […]
Rev up those engines, truckers! Montana needs our help in providing relief from flooding.DetailsOn June 10th, the National Weather Services announced a Flood Watch for Montana. The National Weather Services was right to issue that statement, as some counties in the Treasure State experienced four inches of rain in that single day. Acting Governor Kristen […]
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 […]
We have talked about the potential suspension of the Federal Excise Tax (FET) before, but with the current administration, it may just become reality this time.FET DetailsThe FET was introduced in 1917 to help finance World War I. A decade later and it is still levying a 12% price increase on newer heavy-duty trucks and […]
Robin Hutcheson, the next person in line to become the Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, has had her confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate. Here are the events that transpired.DetailsThere were a multitude of topics discussed during the confirmation hearing, but perhaps none as important as the purported “driver shortage” and the […]
DAT Freight and Analytics continues to report unprecedented times: flatbed hauling is the king of the road. With May 2022, the throne has only become higher. May 2022 Numbers Dry van hauling was $2.71, an eight cent decrease from April 2022. Flatbed increased by three cents going from $3.42 to $3.45. Reefer transportation decreased eight […]
The trucking industry continues its winning streak, with another month of all-time high employment. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has the numbers.May 2022 NumbersThe initial posting for May 2022 is 1,581,300.The revised count for April 2022 is 1,568,000. This is an increase of 3,900 jobs.March 2022’s final number is 1,554,000. From the last estimate, […]
In a move that Chris Spear of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) has called “a long time coming”, the House of Representatives has passed the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022. Now, it heads to Joe Biden’s desk for signature.Bill DetailsThe Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 hopes to stop what Chris Spear of the […]
Class 8 sales have decreased slightly in May 2022, according to Freight Transportation Research (FTR), but FTR’s vice president of commercial vehicles Don Ake says he is not concerned about the slight lull in sales. Here are the numbers, and the reasoning.May 2022 Numbers and DetailsFTR pins the number of big rig sales in May […]
In recent times the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has made changes to commercial driver qualification filing rules. While each individual change did not justify an article on its own, combined they add up into something larger. Here are the changes that have been made in 2022 thus far.Road Test Certificate InformationAs of March […]
The Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) is suing the California Air Resources Board (CARB) regarding a regulation that is due to go into effect in January 2024.DetailsOn December 22nd, 2021, CARB established the Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Omnibus Regulation, which places higher emission status on heavy-duty trucks sold in California. It was set to […]
It has been over a year since the Ninth Circuit has ruled in favor of California’s AB-5 law. The California Trucking Association had appealed to the United Supreme Court, and the injunction has stayed in place ever since. Could the Supreme Court hold a hearing regarding the case before its current Term ends?DetailsThere are four […]
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is notable for having special periods of time across the year to enforce safety in commercial big rigs. One such example is checking truck maintenance with the International Roadcheck, which passed last month. Another that they do focuses on the most dangerous component of them all, the driver behind […]
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 […]
When the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced changes to the COVID-19 State of Emergency within less than a month of its expiration, it raised the notion that it would be extended again. Now, we know for sure that it has.DetailsThis extension is brought to you by Robin Hutcheson, current Deputy Administrator of the […]
2022 has been an interesting time for trucking industry assets, as high demand but low supply has everyone scrambling to get their hands on what they can get. ACT Research has the sales numbers for April 2022 net trailer orders.April 2022 NumbersACT Research estimates the sales of trailer orders to be 19,614. While this is […]
Trucking orders lulled for the month, as manufacturers continue to keep a tight backlog and prevent new orders from being added due to demand outpacing supply. ACT Research and FTR have the numbers!April 2022 NumbersACT Research pegs the sales at 15,800; FTR, 15,400. The two organizations, as usual, are very close with their approximations.These sales […]
April was a great month for those in the market to buy a used big rig to increase their fleet, as, for the most part, the auction market eased up during that month. J.D. Valuation Services has the numbers.April 2022 Auction AveragesModel year 2020: $153,580; a $5,920 (3.7%) decrease from March.2019: $112,785; $4,962 (4.2%) decrease.2018: […]
What better time to celebrate one of America’s greatest jobs than during the month of America’s birthday?The World’s Largest Truckstop is known by truckers nationwide for its numerous services and amenities it provides to drivers year round, but almost every year they also put on one of the largest trucking conventions in the world. This […]
North Dakota is having issues with extremely cold weather within its borders. As a result, Governor Doug Burgum has declared a State of Emergency to help save North Dakota’s agricultural industry.DetailsThe Declaration is not unlike a similar one performed by Florida three months ago to save its agricultural commodities, except whereas Florida grows citrus fruits, […]
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has extended the COVID-19 State of Emergency exemptions numerous times, but this specific instance of touching it is a unique one. While the Declaration is being modified to include new items to be hauled under it, it is not being extended, for the time being.DetailsOn May 13th, Robin […]
We said that this day may come last month, but we are still shocked that it has arrived. Flatbed hauling has now taken the crown from reefer hauling in regards to rate prices, perhaps for the first time in trucking history! With flatbed rates up, and truck and trailer prices finally coming down, maybe it’s […]
Speed limiters are a touchy subject amongst drivers within the United States, but that is not going to stop federal regulators from making them required.The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has recently announced that it plans to publish a supplemental notice to a 2016 proposed rule requiring speed limiters on heavy-duty trucks.DetailsThe idea of […]
Another month, another round of statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Unfortunately, with all the news going on in the trucking industry, we accidentally skipped March 2022’s job count update. This article will cover both months.March 2022 NumbersHere is a brief summary of what happened in March’s update:March 2022 data says 1,550,800 jobs.Comparing […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
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 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 […]
ACT Research and FTR will often vary their estimates for truck sales by a difference of a few hundred each month, with the correct answer presumably somewhere in the middle. With recent events in the trucking industry, their jobs have become significantly easier. This is evident by the numbers the two organizations have found for […]
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 […]
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 […]
It seems the global supply chain is always in the news these days. Whether it is a backlog of cargo carriers at the Los Angeles/Long Beach ports, vaccination requirements at the US-Canadian border, or the latest development happening at the border of Texas and Mexico. Governor Greg Abbott has recently announced efforts to increase inspection […]
How is that for a name?It is no surprise to anyone that supply chain problems are causing shortages in the economy. The House of Representatives is hoping to help remedy this through the power of tax incentives, namely the Strengthening Supply Chains Through Truck Driver Incentives (SSCTTDI) Act.DetailsWere SSCTTDI to be signed into law, it […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
April 1st is usually a time of good fun and pranks, but the trucking industry lost one of its greatest legends that day.William “Bill” Fries Jr., known in the trucking industry under his stage name C.W. McCall, has been reported as passing away in his Ouray, Colorado home at age 93 on the first day […]
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 […]
This has been an ongoing news event, but recent happenings warrant being known. The Texas government on March 18th issued a State of Emergency regarding wildfires in eleven counties. Now, that number has expanded to fifteen counties. Here is how truckers are affected.DetailsThe latest declaration casts a wide net over regulation within the state of […]
At this point it is the same old story: global supply chain shortages leading to trucks being produced at a rate that does not match demand. FTR and ACT Research have the numbers.February 2022 NumbersFTR pins the sales at 21,100; ACT Research, 21,000. This is perhaps the closest the two research organizations have been in […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Which is a less stable used truck market, one where all of the model years travel in the same direction of double-digit percentage increases, or one where all of them travel in unpredictable directions independent of one another? We ask because that is what J.D. Valuation Services found in used truck auction rates at the […]
On March 7th the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled its latest proposal for heavy-duty truck and engine standards to reduce emissions. Details The proposal is the first step in the EPA’s “Clean Trucks Plan.” While the proposed standards are still subject to public scrutiny before becoming official regulation, we can use them to see the […]
At this point, it is a little difficult to keep track of how many times this emergency waiver has been extended. As the country almost enters its third year of two weeks to flatten the curve, the Federal Motor Safety Carrier Administration is not backing down from fighting the virus, directly and indirectly.DetailsThe new extension […]
With another month behind us in this global supply chain shortage, it is time to see where freight prices per mile line up. DAT Freight & Analytics has the numbers!February 2022 RatesThe average national rates for each form of hauling was as follows:Dry van was $3.10 per mile, the same as it was in January.Flatbed […]
It should be of no surprise that urine sample testing for drugs is not very popular. With that in mind, the Department of Transportation has been delving into other potential substitutes for urine drug testing. One that has shown a lot of promise is hair testing, but another that may become more common is testing […]
It is no surprise to anyone that crude oil prices and, by extension, those of its refined products are reaching record levels. A new world event may just be another cog in the machine of rising diesel prices, that being the Russian invasion into Ukraine.DetailsCountries across the globe, including the United States, are waging economic […]
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s International Roadcheck is set to happen again this year. It is a 72-hour marathon of inspections for commercial trucks and trailers in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Here is what this year will entail.DetailsThe theme for this year’s International Roadcheck is wheel ends. While this includes brakes, which were […]
The Canadian Freedom Convoy and Blockade may be de facto over, but the movement has spread to other countries. One of these countries is right here, the United States. There were talks about when such an event would start, and it appears to now have a set date of February 25th.DetailsThe plan, as told by […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
The latest chapter in the Freedom Convoy/Blockade saga has made an interesting turn.On February 14th, Justin Trudeau announced that he was invoking the Emergencies Act of 1988, the first time it will be invoked since first it became law. This has lasting ramifications for truckers.Emergencies ActEstablished almost 25 years ago, Canada’s Emergencies Act gives the […]
The coronavirus pandemic keeps on giving. What once was a source of anguish for truckers with massive layoffs across the industry is now causing demand for logistical services to exceed supply, and the rate per mile for all three forms of primary freight have risen yet again, exceeding last month’s new record. DAT Freight & […]
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 […]
We wrote last month about how we were cautiously optimistic about the trucking industry getting more workers than it did before the start of the coronavirus pandemic. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has updated its numbers, and it says that not only are we above pre-pandemic numbers, but trucking is also at the highest employment […]
Nothing breaks regulation up quite like desperate times.
We last wrote about the Canada vaccinations with news of the Freedom Convoy, but it appears that that is now over. The protestors have taken a different direction with their protesting now that they have finished traveling from Vancouver to Ottawa, and are protesting in the Canadian way: through passive resistance. Details You might remember […]
The Professional Driver Agency is a company that works on fleets’ behalf to help retain truckers by keeping the company’s workforce happy. They also conduct research on the side. Through thousands of phone calls in 2021, they have compiled a list of the ten most common complaints. You may think the number one issue has […]
Starting on Sunday the 23rd and will probably be over by the time you read this, truck drivers in Canada protested vaccine mandates (including one involving crossing the United States border) by having a convoy travel from Vancouver to Ottawa, the capitol. It is over 40 miles long. Details We have talked about our northern […]
Soon, a new rule will go into effect to improve entry-level driver training (ELDT). Here are the things you should know about this program so that you do not get blindsided by changes happening in the trucking industry.1. It parallels obtaining a standard driver’s license.Like obtaining a normal driver’s license for a 4-wheeler, the new […]
We at TopMark Funding try to use the word “skyrocket” sparingly, only for the craziest of circumstances in the trucking industry. We believe J.D. Valuation Services’ numbers for used Class 8 truck auction rates is a perfect example of when to use the word, and when you see the numbers we think you will agree.The […]
The position of Acting Administrator for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has been traded off like a hot potato for the past few years. Whether it is a change in leadership from the Department of Transportation or the resignation of the Administrator moving to greener pastures, the slot is having a hard time […]
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 […]
Comparable to Class 8 truck sales, trailer sales for the entirety of 2021 were larger than they were in 2019. Unlike the other half of the tractor-trailer combo, the numbers for 2021 were lower than 2020. FTR has the numbers.December 2021 NumbersFreight Transportation Research estimates the order numbers for trailers to be 26,500 in December […]
The United States Supreme Court may have recently declared the vaccine mandate to be an overstep by OSHA, but when it comes to international affairs, things get a little bit more complicated and the battle over vaccine mandates continues. Truckers traveling to the Great White North will need to provide proof of vaccination in order […]
The United States Supreme Court declared on January 13th that a stay on the vaccine mandate prevails, making the requirement for businesses with 100 or more employees to have their employees vaccinated or undergo weekly coronavirus testing unenforceable.DetailsThe Court ruled 6-3.“Although Congress has indisputably given OSHA the power to regulate occupational dangers, it has not […]
Another year has passed. While not as hectic as 2020, 2021 had its own set of challenges. Rather than having a hard time finding workers to put into trucks, now companies are scrambling to get as many trucks and parts as they can. December 2021 was pretty good news for Class 8 sales.The NumbersACT Research […]
Here we are at the end of another year. When looking at the entire year as a whole, the trucking industry has made great strides in recovering from the mass layoffs from the start of the coronavirus pandemic. When looking just at December, however, the numbers are slightly lackluster. Here is what the Bureau of […]
We have talked about the commercial truck parking problem before: how drivers can spend almost an hour a day looking for legal parking; how some drivers opt for unsafe, illegal parking; how there are significantly more trucks on the road than spaces to put them at a rate of about six to one. While governments, […]
2021 has been a slightly hectic year. How has yours been? Our predictions mostly came true, most notably the Tesla Semi being delayed another year. The trucking industry has been through a lot this past year; here is a recap. Unlike our last Year in Review where we talked about the biggest articles of the […]
This has been in the news for a while now, not just in the trucking industry, but nationwide, and attracting the attention of people who could not tell the difference between diesel and gasoline.On April 25th, 2019, truck driver Rogel Aguilera-Mederos was traveling along I-70 when he said his brakes failed. He lost control of […]
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 […]
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 […]
The common rule of thumb used in the trucking industry is that there is work equal to 80,000 more truckers than there are drivers to do that work. The simplest solution to this would be to increase the pay of truckers to attract more talent, but the business is more complicated than that. To that […]
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 […]
It is the same song and dance we have been hearing about for roughly the past year, since vaccines were first available. However, with it potentially impacting the United States shipping relations to Canada, vaccine mandates may once again throw a wrench into the supply chain. Details Beginning in early January 2022, the United States […]
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 […]
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 […]
It appears the supply chain shortages of everything from rubber to aluminum is starting to take its toll on the trucking industry, as the number of new Class 8 truck orders for November 2021 were, for lack of a better word, weak.November 2021 NumbersACT Research pins the number at 9,800 units, while FTR is a […]
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has updated its webpage listing the employment numbers for NAICS 484, the trucking industry. Here are the numbers for the past three months.November 2021 NumbersThe numbers posted for November 2021 are:1,521,300 for the initial preliminary count of November 2021.1,515,700 for the revised preliminary employment count of October 2021, a […]
Supply shortages, coronavirus, and the holiday season combine to bring us the highest freight rates per mile ever recorded by the DAT. Details Dry van shipping increased seven cents, to $2.93. Flatbed logistics actually decreased a bit, going from $3.07 to $3.03. Reefer hauling skyrocketed, rising 17 cents to $3.44. The average increased six cents […]
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act may not have had money earmarked for truck parking, but the battle to increase commercial truck parking spots is not over just yet.Todd Spencer, president and CEO of OOIDA, has written a letter to Pete Buttigieg, Secretary of the Department of Transportation, to ask for more parking spots.Much Ado […]
We are writing about October summary news in December. So much is going on in the trucking industry, it is hard to keep pace with it all!ACT Research and FTR have their estimates for trailer orders in October 2021. While it pales in comparison to the Earth-shattering numbers of the same month last year, it […]
We wrote at the start of September that it was anyone’s guess as to if the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) would extend the hours-of-service suspension for hauling in regards to the COVID-19 pandemic. We now have our answer: yes, it is being extended.DetailsThe extension was announced on November 29th, just a few days […]
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 […]
The blockage at the twin California ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles is slowly clearing up, but it could be done a lot faster. One such cog jammer is the Clean Air Action Plan, a joint effort by both ports to reduce emissions. A noble goal, considering the smog density in the Los Angeles […]
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 […]
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 […]
First it was the federal government, then it was the state of California, now, private industries are joining in on the efforts to reduce the backlog at the twin ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. Retailers Shift to Night Shift With the recent changes to 24/7 operations at the twin ports to help fight […]
Drivers headed towards the western coast may want to stock up on fuel ahead of time, as various fueling stations in the southwest are starting to feel a strain from a lack of fuel. Details With everything being in short supply nowadays, from computer chips to rubber to human resources, it is hardly a surprise […]
Three months ago, the United States Senate passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 in a 69-30 vote. Now, the House of Representatives has passed the same bill at a rate of 228-206. Now the bill goes to Joe Biden for a signature to become law.The Effect on TruckingIt is fair to say […]
Your tax dollars at work!The United States government is the world’s single largest consumer of goods and services. One thing it spends money on is research and development to make life easier and safer for all Americans, and sometimes the world at large. To that extent, the Department of Energy has authorized $127 million in […]
The news is updating faster than we can keep up!Not but a few days after the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) posted its vaccine mandate is it halted by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, at least for the time being.DetailsOpposition of the vaccine mandate comes from various organizations and groups, including seven states:UtahLouisianaKansasTexasSouth […]
The Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced on November 4th an emergency temporary standard (ETS) regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Truckers are not going to be pleased.DetailsThere are five major points to the ETS.The following rules apply to businesses that are not exempt and have 100 or more employees.Employees of these companies […]
Companies hoping for a break from high shipping prices may have to hold off for yet another month, as freight rates for all three forms of freight were equal to or higher on a per mile basis than the month before.October 2021 NumbersDry van increased three cents per mile, to a total of $2.86 per […]
We have been a little slow on the upkeep here regarding the auction prices for used Class 8 vehicles, but the current California port crisis has been taking up much of the news for the trucking industry. Here is a brief respite from all of that with a monthly update on auction prices for used […]
Pete Buttigieg, Secretary of Transportation, has spoken with Chris Wallace on Halloween, in what is most likely his first public appearance since he had taken paternity leave. He spoke with Chris about climate change, inflation, electric vehicles, and tax credits, but what everyone is interested in hearing about is the greatest logistics disaster since the […]
It is hard to get a solid number on the number of ships that are currently in standby at the twin California ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, but it is clear the problem has not yet been resolved since Joseph Biden announced plans to ease congestion. The ports have decided to implement a […]
The American Trucking Association (ATA) released a report on October 25th, 2021 detailing the current situation of the so-called “trucker shortage”. This number is based on the difference in total employment and the number that would be needed to meet freight demand, including a certain backlog at twin Californian ports that has been making the […]
Joe Biden may have announced an increase in port operations, but ships are arriving faster than they are leaving, at a slow but ever evident rate. With California being the state with the highest gross domestic product in the nation, its governor Gavin Newsom wants to further accelerate the emptying of ships, and to that […]
Trucking, like many industries in life, comes with a lot of paperwork. The Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) is one of these. This guide should help make understanding the UCR easier, since you no doubt have plenty of things already on your mind!What is the UCR?The Unified Carrier Registration system is the product of a collaboration […]
In an era of trucking where events are being canceled left and right, it is good to see new trucking events taking place. This is the first-annual Mayberry Truck Show.
We wrote around fifteen months ago about how YRC Worldwide received a $700 million cash infusion to help survive the COVID-19 pandemic. Democrats in the House of Representatives now want to investigate the circumstances regarding that loan, saying that under the Trump Administration that some foul play may have been involved.DetailsThe Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and […]
If you have been following the news as of late, you will no doubt have heard about Southwest Airlines getting some PR. Flights are being canceled, delayed, pushed forward, and everything in between. While Southwest says this is due to weather hazards among other things, the likely culprit may be their recent vaccine mandate. Could […]
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has posted the employment count for the Truck Transportation subsector in regards to September 2021. Here are the results.NumbersThe initial preliminary count for September 2021 is 1,502,900 jobs.Revised August numbers are 1,500,400. This is an increase of 1,900 from the first estimate.Final July employment is at 1,494,400. This is […]
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 […]
Come November 8th, getting a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) will be ever so slightly cumbersome.The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will require state driver’s licensing agencies to check the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse before issuing, renewing, or upgrading a trucker’s CDL.The ProcessFew would argue against keeping drunk or otherwise intoxicated drivers off the road. […]
“This is, of course, provided that the Semi is not delayed a fourth time,” we wrote in a previous article about the Tesla Semi. It appears that has just happened, as Elon Musk announced that the electric vehicle company is struggling in the supply chain shortage wars.DetailsThe news comes from a shareholder call from Thursday, […]
Maybe it is inflation. Perhaps it is the increased demand for goods delivered by trucks as brought upon by the COVID-19 pandemic. Maybe it is the dearth of truckers available to work. Whatever the case, the rate per mile on trucking continues to rise. DAT has the numbers.September 2021 NumbersDry van increased eight cents per […]
Trailer sales ended their streak of consistently outperforming the same time last year in June. Growth is never infinite, and as such the truck sales streak, three months later, has finally ended. September 2021 Numbers ACT Research pegs the number of Class 8 truck sales at 27,400. FTR pins the sales number at 28,400. This […]
Since around June 2020, the trucking industry has been on fire. Since around the start of 2021, truck prices have been rising to reflect just that. As component shortages and intense demand ravage the new truck market, the used truck market is also starting to feel the strain as fleets gobble up whatever vehicles they […]
The Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo happened near the start of September. Normally we write about the trucking industry, but we provide business financing for all types of equipment, equipment that the ACT Expo had in spades that makes us excited for the future. From conventional day cabs to commercial cargo bikes, here is the […]
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, […]
North Dakota is home to 39,300,000 acres of farmland and is responsible for over $4 billion in agricultural exports every year. Like most states west of the Mississippi River, the Peace Garden State is in desperate need of water. So much so that the state government is declaring a state of emergency to help keep […]
The House of Representatives appears to be much less interested in spending money than the Senate. While the Senate passed a bill authorizing $1 trillion in spending for infrastructure, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure put forth its portion of the 2022 Budget Reconciliation Bill. It has $60 billion set for infrastructure and carbon […]
The trucking industry is none too happy about Biden’s proposed vaccine mandate for private companies with more than 100 employees. This mandate would require all employees for a trucking company, from the drivers to any mechanics or recruiters, to either be fully vaccinated or take a weekly, uncomfortable test to confirm negative results. Lawsuits are […]
When truck orders for 2022 opened, the numbers soared as pent-up demand flowed in orders. With trailers for August, the same pattern still applies, but not to the same extent.
Hurricane Ida may be long over by now, but the economic fallout from the destruction caused by one of the most intense hurricanes to hit the east coast in recorded history has just begun. Three more states have declared temporary regulatory suspensions in an attempt to accelerate recovery. Hurricane Ida Details This is part three […]
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 […]
With Original Equipment Manufacturers now allowing orders for deliveries set in 2022, the floodgates have opened. August 2021 was one of the best months of the year for Class 8 truck orders.DetailsFTR has the net number estimated at 39,400. ACT estimates orders at 36,900. Whatever the actual number is, both research companies are confident that […]
The interesting thing about news in contrast with government is that news moves fast while government moves slowly. In the past few days, more states have entered the fold of declaring a state of emergency due to Hurricane Ida, bringing the total number to seven. Details The first declarations were covered previously, so we will […]
The previous extension was set to expire at the end of August 31st. Now, only a few hours before it was set to expire, the FMCSA has extended it again. COVID-19 Emergency Details It is the same song and dance as the previous extensions; you can see all of the details on the webpage. In […]
We are about halfway through hurricane season, and we have another one. This time it is Hurricane Ida, and it is hitting states along the Gulf of Mexico. States and agencies are weighing in. Details Here are the various emergency declarations and what they entail. Southern and Western FMCSA Centers This is the most typical […]
Things might finally be returning to normal, as an event in the trucking industry was canceled for a reason other than COVID-19. NTEA The National Trucking Equipment Association (NTEA) has decided to cancel its 2021 Truck Product Conference. Usually at these events, industry leaders show off technological upgrades such as making the truck chassis slightly […]
Neeley Keeny stops his tanker truck in Clovis, California. He fills up 2,500 gallons of water for about a fifth of a cent a gallon. He drives it northwest about one hundred miles and sells the payload for about $350. Minus the five dollars he spends to fill the tanker, a round trip nets Neeley […]
Governor Andrew Cuomo may be on his way out the door due to resigning amidst sexual harassment allegations, but that is not stopping Mother Nature from threatening havoc. By the time you read this, Tropical Storm Henri should have hit the New York shore. Experts have Henri pinned at a tropical storm of wind speeds […]
Last month was a somber one for trailer sales, as the numbers were lower than they were the same month in 2020. This month is a little more disheartening than that, as not only was July 2021 lower than July 2020, but June 2021 as well. July 2021 Details Freight Transportation Research (FTR) estimates the […]
In the latest update of the AB-5 saga, the California Trucking Association, disgruntled with the 9th Circuit Court’s ruling on Justice Roger Benitez’s injunction on California Assembly Bill 5, hopes to take the fight to the Supreme Court.
In a vote of 69-30 (with one senator absent), the United States Senate has voted to pass H.R. 3684, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 or the INVEST in America Act. What does the bill entail, and how are truckers affected should it pass the House of Representatives? H.R. 3684 […]
Trailer orders might have ended their 2021 year-over-year increase streak in June, but the Class 8 big rig market is still going strong in July 2021. ACT and FTR have the estimates. Truck Sales July 2021 ACT Research pins the number at 25,800 units sold in the month; FTR, 26,500. The order numbers are ever […]
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has updated the numbers for the trucking industry yet again. The numbers, while mostly preliminary, are looking good.The NumbersEvery month, the BLS updates the data for the last three months. They make a new preliminary estimate, revise an older preliminary, and solidify the final number for three months back.With […]
This article was published on Smokey Bear’s 67th birthday. Happy birthday to Smokey Bear! There is always something going on in the approximately 3.5 million square miles that comprise our nation. If it is not hurricane season, it is tornado season; if not tornado season, it is wildfire season. These are the states that are […]
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) International Roadcheck for 2021 was May 4-6th (though we erroneously reported it as 5-7th earlier this year). Now, they have released the statistics to the public. How does it compare to the International Roadcheck nine months prior? CVSA International Roadcheck Statistics There is a lot of data published. Below […]
DAT Freight & Analytics has updated its freight rates for the month prior.
The I-40 Hernando de Soto Bridge, closed in May and diverted in June, is set to be reopened for travel across and under it by the time you can read this article.DetailsThe Hernando de Soto Bridge, connecting Memphis, Tennessee and Arkansas, closed down in mid-May when inspectors from the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) found […]
58% of truck drivers are willing to admit to performing unauthorized parking at least three times per week. Minneapolis’ city council has devised a law that will probably make the citizens and tourists of Minneapolis very happy, but will make truck drivers furious.The LawOn Friday, July 23rd, the city council voted 12-1 for a truck […]
Some causes are worth continuously fighting for. On the 22nd of July, Senator Todd Young (R-IN) introduced bill S.2435 co-sponsored by Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) to repeal the Federal Excise Tax (FET) on new heavy-duty truck purchases. This is not the first time that the FET has been under scrutiny, but with senators behind it, […]
It should not be a surprise to anyone that governments tend to be lazy, even with each other. Federal regulations call for states where drivers are convicted to transmit conviction data to the state where the driver is licensed either electronically via Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS), or by mail, but not both. The […]
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) may have a week of brake inspections coming up, but that was warned of months in advance. On May 26th, the CVSA performed an unannounced day of a blitz of safety inspections. Here is what they found. Brake Inspection Summary The day-long event took place across the three largest […]
Anyone who has been in the trucking industry for longer than a year knows that demand for trucks (new, used, and components) is rapidly outpacing supply, at least for the short term. What better time to leverage your position than when you are needed most? Whether that was their plan or the timing just happened […]
Hyzon Motors joins other trucking technology companies such as Nikola Motor Company, Hyliion, and TuSimple by allowing the common man to buy ownership in the company. Here is a summary of the venture and how it became public.DetailsHyzon (a portmanteau of “hydrogen” and “horizon”) Motors started as a part of Horizon Fuel Cells back in […]
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) always planned for the off-site audits to become the norm. The coronavirus pandemic merely accelerated it. From 2017 to 2020, the number of off-site audits increased fifteenfold, and the number only appears to be increasing for 2021. Currently, these remote audits account for about 46% of all of […]
If you are an owner-operator or a fleet owner, chances are you have two dozen things on your mind at any given time, but to make sure you are in compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration quickly, look up the last two digits of your USDOT number. If the last digit represented the […]
All good things must come to an end. For trailer sales, which wavered at the start of the coronavirus pandemic but came back with a vengeance in June 2020, it appears that the skyrocket has begun to run out of fuel.The NumbersFTR and ACT Research are very close in their estimates this month, at 11,000 […]
Remember last year before the COVID-19 lockdowns hit and there were shortages of hand sanitizer and toilet paper. The trucking industry was there to make deliveries, but now that the hand is on the other foot, toilet paper is not coming to save us. Supply Shortage First it was a new truck shortage. Then there […]
It should be no surprise to members in the trucking industry that whenever an “event” happens, regulators relieve some pressure to allow drivers to get their job done more quickly. In just the past eighteen months we have had hours-of-service exemptions for: Novel coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) nationwide. Wildfires along the western coast. Cold snap for states […]
Here we are at the end of another month, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has updated its numbers for the trucking industry yet again. If the preliminary numbers are accurate, then the trucking industry continues to be on a roll.The NumbersThe numbers released in July are:June 2021: 1,486,500 (preliminary).May 2021: 1,480,100 (preliminary, 400 […]
It has been about a month and a half since the Hernando de Soto Bridge closed connecting Arkansas and Tennessee over the Mississippi River. While repairs are still underway, the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) is using some tricks of the trade to reduce the impact this closure has on the trucking industry.Traffic ControlHow much […]
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 […]
On June 11th the Department of Transportation (DOT) released what it calls its “Spring Regulatory Agenda”. It lists the goals of the DOT for the foreseeable future. It also lists what division of the DOT is behind making each particular goal a reality. While the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration was not listed, it still […]
It should be no surprise to anyone who works with us that truck demand is through the roof this year. So much so that trucking companies who normally purchase new are attempting to find solace in the used truck market. While used trucks are cheaper, their prices are on the upswing.
There appears to be a strong connection between the number of Class 8 trucks sold in a given month and the number of trailers ordered. A statistical analysis of this may make for a good article on an otherwise slow news day, but for now we will focus on the trailer sales for May 2021. […]
While the governor of the Constitution State has not yet signed the bill into law as of the writing of this article, Ned Lamont has already expressed his support for a miles tax on heavy trucks traveling within Connecticut’s borders.
Tracking the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) job numbers as they update is quite the task. Every month, they not only post preliminary data for the month that has passed, but also update previous months without saying what the prior estimates were, requiring researching back in time. With all of this in mind, from the […]
The two primary data collectors for Class 8 sales in the United States, ACT Research and FTR differ slightly on their estimates for May 2021 truck sales. Ultimately they can agree on one thing: it is a large increase from the same time last year. May 2021 Sales Numbers ACT has their estimate set at […]
The cost of diesel fuel may be rising, but this may put a smile on a trucker’s face, or at least help alleviate the pain. The Numbers All three forms of freight jumped going through May, but dry van hauling simply had too large of a chasm to cross into $3 per mile. It rose […]
Traffic is a silent killer, and if Congress wants to save lives and bolster the economy, reducing traffic is a way to do both of them at once. The American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) compiled and analyzed data from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and found some interesting details on the effect that […]
American Trucking Simulator is a mostly realistic computer game, but it allows for a lot of trucking fantasies that would never be obtainable in real life. One of our favorites is smashing on the accelerator while traveling downhill on the 80 from Truckee to Sacramento, hitting 102 miles per hour and almost doubling the speed […]
Correction: An earlier version of this article stated that biodiesel and renewable diesel created emissions at a rate 1/3rd of electricity. This is incorrect. The correct metric is that biodiesel and renewable diesel are responsible for 3x more metric ton credits from greenhouse gas reduction than electricity is, based on the Low Carbon Fuel Standard […]
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is back at it again. Even before Operation Safe Driver Week has taken place, the Alliance already has its gears set on inspecting vehicular brakes. Brake Safety Week Details The CVSA states that for the safety of all drivers on the road, a dedicated week to inspections is necessary: […]
The Colonial Pipeline is back up and running at approximately 80% capacity, with full capacity to return soon. With the worst of it behind us, now is a good time to reflect on what we can learn from this gas shortage debacle. The Words of George Carlin Most people might think of George Carlin as […]
Do you enjoy crumbling infrastructure? Hearing about backlogs of roads and bridges that need proper maintenance to avoid catastrophe?
One of the quickest ways to get a headache is to research the overlap between federal and state regulations and governments. We hope to save you a headache by explaining in layman’s terms to the best of our ability what the federal government’s second declaration (the first being the hours-of-service-suspension) means. Overweight Hauling on Interstate […]
The preliminary numbers for April 2021 trucking jobs, as well as the solidified numbers for February 2021, have both come in. The numbers are very similar, in that both say the trucking industry saw a decrease in jobs, but not by much. The Numbers As of April 2021 The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says […]
Historically, reefer trailer hauling has been the most revenue-generating form of freight, and it is not hard to see why. Running a reefer requires additional diesel to keep cargo at adequate temperatures, an expense that factors into the price per mile for the freight. We live in unusual times, however, and for at least a […]
Nine months ago we wrote about how the case of CTA v. Becerra had an injunction on it, allowing owner-operators to continue leasing under another trucking company’s authority. Now, over a year since the injunction was first placed, it appears the end may be in sight. The ninth circuit has ruled that AB-5 is not […]
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is attempting to bring awareness to driving extra cautiously in work zones, especially in the time of the coronavirus pandemic where such injuries have been exacerbated.Cone ZoneAn average person may be inclined to believe that COVID-19 has reduced injuries on the road. The truth is that with fewer […]
We have written about TuSimple a few times before. Now they are increasing the stakes of their plans for autonomous trucking by having an Initial Public Offering (IPO) and allowing people to take ownership in the company. The Details TuSimple had its IPO on April 15th, of which it raised about $1 billion in additional […]
It appears as though every single bill relating to trucking that died in the halls of Congress in 2020 is making a comeback for the new year. The latest one is the Improving National Safety by Updating the Required Amount of Insurance Needed by Commercial Motor Vehicles per Event (INSURANCE) Act of 2019. Despite its […]
If you are a citizen of 49 different states or the District of Columbia (New York being the sole exception), you can drive with a CDL within state borders at various ages between 18 and 21. Once a truck driver crosses state borders, however, it becomes a federal issue and the CDL holder must be at least 21.
You have driven your truck for as long as you can remember, but it is starting to make funny noises and the exhaust is a few shades too dark. It was bound to happen eventually; the engine is starting to show its age. Reaching into the pocketbook for either an overhaul or purchasing a different […]
What is a Dray Van Trailer? A dry van trailer, often simply referred to as a “van,” is a type of semi-truck trailer that is completely enclosed to protect the cargo from the outside environment. It’s one of the most common types of freight transportation and is widely used due to its versatility. The term […]
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is once again in sight. Like last year, the CVSA is putting a hefty focus on speeding, and with all of the data regarding speeding, it is easy to see why.
Notice This article was written before, and published on, the day that the CDC has declared a pause in the use of the J&J vaccine. The current status of administering vaccines at the Native Pride Travel Plaza, as to whether they have switched to other vaccines or have stopped altogether, is currently unknown. The article […]
What is a reefer trailer A reefer trailer, short for “refrigerated trailer,” is a type of trailer designed for freight transport that requires temperature-controlled conditions. These trailers are equipped with a built-in refrigeration unit to keep the cargo at a specified temperature, whether cool or frozen, throughout transport. Reefer trailers are often used for transporting […]
For a majority of the past year, we have been writing about how the pent up demand for trucking services due to the coronavirus pandemic has caused the trucking industry to rebound with terms such as “on fire” and “skyrocket on top of a skyrocket”. Frankly, we are running out of terms to describe how well the trucking industry is performing right now. Exploding? Volcanic?
While the numbers deviated slightly from the update in the middle of March, the massive jump in rates for all three forms of freight held steady.
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 […]
The way things have been, a fuel tax of 18.4 cents per gallon of gasoline and 24.4 cents of diesel fuel have been used for the Highway Trust Fund. These numbers, unchanged since 1993, are not enough for the infrastructure needs of the country.
In our research, we find that there is not a comprehensive yet concise article explaining the difference between these two measurements of trucker pay, so we wanted to lay things out easily for the common man, or someone just getting into driving.
Side guards might seem like another costly regulation for truckers, but they can help other drivers keep ahead.
TopMark Funding is located within view of a highway, and do not think we miss the heavy-duty trucks that come by! We see all types of trucks traveling on that road, from flatbeds carrying tubing to trucks hauling almost 80,000 pounds of tomatoes in an open-faced trailer.
The general procedure of receiving a coronavirus vaccine, as it is now, requires the patient to be a member of the eligible phase (currently 1a, 1b, or even 1c in some states), and prove they are a citizen of the state distributing the vaccine.
Listen to this article Similar to the trailer sales in January, February trailer purchases decreased when compared to the month prior, but are extraordinarily higher than they were at the same time last year. ACT Research has compiled and reported the numbers. Trailer Sales Numbers February 2021’s trailer sales totaled approximately 24,000 units. This is […]
We usually only post about the freight rates when DAT has solidified the numbers, usually a week after the month has passed. We have made exceptions for notable changes in freight rates, and here is another one. While we are only a little bit over halfway through the month, DAT is estimating freight rates to […]
Listen to the article We wrote how we thought this state of emergency would not need an extension, and in twenty-eight cases we were right. However, some states were hit harder by the cold weather than others, and as such, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is expanding the state of emergency in these six […]
You might remember last year a bill called the Protecting Right to Organize (PRO) Act made it through the House of Representatives, but died either in the senate or on the president’s desk. It is making a comeback, and with Democrats in control of the house, senate, and presidency, it may just become law. History […]
It only takes hitting one pothole on the road to understand that United States roads are an infrastructure investment that nearly everyone supports. But with such bipartisan approval, roads continue to remain in states of disrepair. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) grades different aspects of infrastructure in the United States, ranging from aviation […]
The American Transport Research Institute (ATRI), known for its annual trucking surveys, has released its list for the worst trucking bottlenecks in 2020. The Department of Transportation hopes to use the information to better allocate spending dollars to critically-needed infrastructure. Here are the details and results of the endeavor. Methodology ATRI collected and compiled GPS […]
After a few months of different freight rates going in different directions, it is good to finally see all of them move in the same direction for February 2021. The fact that they all went up in a month that usually sees decreases is simply the cherry on top.
It is probably a surprise to nobody that truck sales for any given month has a similar pattern as trailer sales, namely that as truck sales increase, trailer sales tend to increase as well. Last month’s truck sales yielded positive or negative results depending on the angle it was approached; trailer sales did the same. […]
Not a direct order of Biden but instead implemented by people he approved within the Department of Labor, the regulations regarding off-time pay is shifting back to what it was before the Trump administration. Off-Time Pay Should drivers traveling across the country be compensated for their downtime, considering they are never truly off when on […]
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 […]
It was but five months ago that the FMCSA declared a regional emergency for the west coast states in response to rampant wildfires in that area. Now it is time for over 30 other states, plus Washington D.C., to receive additional support from the nation’s truckers due to a cold wave.Cold Snap Delivery DetailsThe state […]
Recently, the folks over at PACCAR unveiled their newest upgrade to their 579 line of Class 8 trucks, aptly called “The New Model 579”. Peterbilt is hoping to innovate and change the way that truckers perform their jobs. Here is what Peterbilt touts as changes from the previous model. Aerodynamics While Peterbilt advertises eleven key […]
Approximately two weeks ago, we predicted that the Tesla Semi would not come out in 2021. This was not based on any confirmation, but a hunch that the streak of delaying the Semi’s release would continue. While the Tesla Semi is still slated for a 2021 release according to the company, it has hit a […]
ACT and FTR differ on their numbers for Class 8 truck sales by a few hundred each month, but their general messages are the same. This prior month’s message being that the trucking industry is cooling off from the holiday season, but still shows promise of being on fire.The NumbersACT has sales for January set […]
In tandem with the previous two months of freight data, one form of freight deviates in direction from the others. This month, however, two dropped while only one rose.The DataOf the three forms of freight, the largest change happened with dry vans, dropping nine cents to have its rate the lowest since August. It is […]
A little over a year ago, we wrote an article predicting how 2020 would go for the trucking industry. In the vaguest and broadest of terms, we were correct. Freight rates were on average higher than in 2019 (albeit slumped in the spring), and truck production did stall (though not because of a surplus of […]
Hourly pay seems like a crazy phenomenon for the trucking industry, where per mile rates rule the road. Per mile pay seems like the better solution on paper: fleet owners can find the number of miles that need to be traveled, multiply it by rate, and then figure out the payment due to the driver. […]
One problem facing electric vehicles is different plugs and outlets for charging depending on the vehicle. PACCAR Parts wants to alleviate this problem for drivers, even if they are not direct customers of PACCAR brands such as Kenworth and Peterbilt.Universal ChargingWhether you have started making the transition to electric commercial vehicles or plan to do […]
Hopefully this will be the last time we say it, because it is getting fairly old. At the same time, it is not inaccurate. The coronavirus pandemic did not reduce the demand for trucking services and assets, it only pushed that demand to a further date. If 2020’s new truck sales compared to 2019 did […]
For November, we wrote how flatbeds had their average per-mile rate reduced while the other two forms of freight increased. Poetically, it is now the refrigerated trailer to have its turn to reduce in rate.The DataWhile the numbers do not increase with the same intensity as they did in the middle of 2020, they do […]
The grace period for not being inside the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, a database of drivers and such violations, is approaching its end rapidly, January 6th. If you drive under your own Authority, you must conduct a limited query for yourself and all drivers under your Authority by that date, or you may be […]
Unless your name is Jeff Bezos or Elon Musk, there is a pretty good chance this was not your year. From a potential World War III in January, to the COVID-19 pandemic that started in March and is still going today, to the summer protests and blocked highways, this year had it all. We want […]
Even if you have never heard of the SAE J560, there is an extremely high chance that you use one. Originally issued in 1951, the SAE J560 is a seven-pin connector that sends power from the truck tractor to the trailer. This gives power to lamps and other various devices for the trailer. As trailers […]
Savvy readers might remember that we analyzed a list of the best and worst states in which to drive at the start of this year, and how we voiced our concerns about the weight metrics being less than fair. For example, average gas prices were 12.86% of the grade for a state, while bad driving […]
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) was planning to have its International Roadcheck this year in May, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, it was delayed. As we learned more about the virus and how to minimize transmission, as well as realizing it would be a while before it went away entirely, the CVSA decided […]
In the last trailer sales article, we left with this prediction: “…we believe that the pent-up demand for goods, combined with the holiday season, will lead to equal or greater trailer sales in November.” It appears we were wrong this time. October sales had an average estimate of 55,350. For the month of November 2020, […]
Under the current system of rules, third-party companies such as private truck-driving schools could not be both the trainer and the examiner for a driver. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) plans to publish a Final Rule in the Federal Register changing this. The new regulations will make it so that the trainer and […]
We wrote about what a Biden presidency would mean for the trucking industry in mid-November. In that article, our first point was that the Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOT), Elaine Chao, would end her nearly four year term by being replaced. You have read the title of this article, so you know who […]
Hopefully this will be the last coronavirus article we at TopMark Funding will ever have to write, as the coronavirus vaccine has been authorized for distribution and application nationwide. But COVID-19 does not plan to go down without a fight, and as one last hurrah, it may just make the holidays a little more difficult, […]
The trucking industry is on fire (in a good way). Freight rates are the highest they have been in recent history, the Outbound Tender Volume Index is on the precipice of breaking new records, and new truck sales numbers just keep growing. All of these individually are great, but combined they bring forth a new […]
Freight Transportation Research Associates (FTR) released their data on new Class 8 truck sales for November 2020 on December 2nd. We predicted the numbers would stagnate and be approximately equal to those found in October, at around 40,100. To say the very least, we were wrong. The Data FTR reports preliminary data that says that […]
As the coronavirus vaccines are finalized and become ready for distribution, the question remains as to who gets the first round of doses. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), an arm of the CDC, recently reached a nearly-unanimous vote on Monday approving a three step plan for vaccine distribution:Phase 1a: Healthcare workers and residents […]
Growth cannot last forever. After a long run of consistently rising freight rates, it appears flatbed rates are the first of the three to have a month lower than the previous month.Not to worry, however, as the flatbed rates only dropped one cent, so while flatbeds stumble, they are not tumbling down an impossible to […]
Nikola Motors Corporation has been through the wringer in the past few months, but there is at least one company that still holds faith in them, General Motors. GM, who swapped shared with Nikola in the early summer, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the fledgling technology company, to show intention to use […]
Coronavirus news has been taxing since April. Nonstop news of infection rates, layoffs, cancellations are all very difficult for which to manage. You might be tired of wearing a mask and may have cheated once or twice by not wearing it at the diesel pump. In spite of everything that has happened this year, there […]
What do you get when you combine pushed back demand from the coronavirus pandemic with the demand of Black Friday? You get the highest demand for truckload shipments in recent history. Since FreightWaves created the Outbound Tender Volume Index (OTVI), it is at the highest it has ever been.OTVIFreightWaves describes outbound tender as:“…a load offer […]
On November 19th, the California Court of Appeals reversed the court decision in People v. Cal Cartage Transportation Express, LLC. In short, the appeals court ruled that the “ABC” test that comprises the heart of AB-5 is not in contradiction with federal law and as such is not overridden by it. The California Court In […]
If the coronavirus pandemic were a war, truckers would be the front line infantry, going out into the field to give people the supplies they need to either stay healthy (sanitizers and face masks), or to stay quarantined (food and entertainment supplies). With two different COVID-19 vaccines both showing a minimum 90% efficacy rate, it […]
“September’s rank as third-best month in industry history was short-lived, as October activity now takes that title,” Frank Maly, director CV Transportation Analysis and Research at ACT Research, said.As we predicted back in October, the trailer sales for that month were higher than those of September, by only a few thousand. A 6% increase, more […]
Cummins and Navistar go together like garlic and onions. They recently extended their eighty-year partnership even further. Now the two companies hope to work together in the race to get a hydrogen fuel cell heavy-duty truck to market.DetailsThe Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) wants to actively promote the development […]
We did not want to write about this Traton-Navistar deal as it was in progress, but it appears that the negotiations have been finalized. Traton, subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, is purchasing Navistar in its entirety.DetailsBefore the buyout agreement, Traton owned 16.7% of all common shares in Navistar, meaning that their purchase was not a […]
When it comes to the monthly job totals for the trucking industry, the question for the last six months has not been whether the number goes up or down, but by how much it goes up. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has updated its numbers at the start of November, showing preliminary numbers for […]
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 […]
Freight Transportation Research Associates (FTR) has released its latest wave of sales information regarding new Class 8 trucks. While not a two-year high, October 2018 was higher, the numbers improving upon Septembers’ victory for the trucking industry is still phenomenal.The DataNew truck sales totaled approximately 40,100 for October, according to FTR. This is an 83% […]
Not only is the holiday season the busiest season in trucking with increased shipping demand and often the highest rates of the year, it is also far and away the most dangerous. If your tractor breaks down on you in the summer, the only location to have any fear is in the desert. Winter, to […]
The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) released the results of its 2020 survey asking stakeholders in the trucking industry their thoughts on things that impact the trucking industry. Their report is a very insightful 26-page behemoth of knowledge, but for our reading base, primarily of truckers who would rather spend more time on the road […]
It seems like for the trucking industry in 2020, everyone is working together with everyone else. Yesterday was an article about partnerships in the development of autonomous trucking, and now there is more news in the sphere of green fuels: Traton SE and Hino Motors Limited have signed an agreement to work on battery-electric and […]
On October 23rd, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Deputy Administrator Wiley Deck spoke at the American Trucking Association’s (ATA) virtual version of its Management Conference and Exhibition. The event was turned into a virtual one this year, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Here is what he spoke about. Under 21 Drivers With the trucking industry […]
Back when the coronavirus pandemic officially started back in March, it was safe to assume the whole thing would blow over by 2021 and that 2020 was but a fluke year. As we get closer and closer to 2021, that possibility seems to be becoming bleaker and bleaker. A small blow was dealt to the […]
It is the same song and dance we have been doing for the past few months: the trucking industry, while having it happen later than other industries, dropped a bit from the coronavirus pandemic, and is climbing its way back up in a slow but sure manner. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has released […]
When a truck driver hears about laws and regulations determining the difference between an independent contractor and employee, the first thing that may come to mind is California AB-5, one of the strictest standards in the nation for determining employee eligibility. At the federal level, however, the Department of Labor (DOL) wants to revise their […]
When it comes to electric vehicles overall, even beyond electric heavy-duty trucks, two major problems impede mass production and adoption: range and refueling. We have written extensively about the first one, and automotive and tech companies work around the clock to increase the number of miles an electric truck gets on a single charge. The […]
Fully electric Class 8 vehicles that can travel along the California coast in a single charge are still off into the future, but that does not mean that electric semi-trucks do not exist now. One example of such a machine is the Kenworth T680E, which will go into production and be for sale at Kenworth […]
Freight Transportation Research (FTR) has been tracking trailer sales for a very long time. It means a lot when September 2020 was the third-highest month for trailer sales since they started keeping track. The Details August’s trailer sales, according to FTR, were about 28,700. Now, for September, trailer sales reached 52,000, according to preliminary numbers. […]
There seems to be no stopping the trucking industry. For yet another consecutive month, the freight rates for all three primary forms of shipment (dry van, flatbed, and reefer) have increased yet again. Part of the blame can be shifted to the crash in rates that happened in the spring of this year, but using […]
On September 22nd, 2020, Tesla shareholders gathered in Fremont, California to hear the latest from Elon Musk and Tesla Senior Vice President of Powertrain and Energy Drew Baglino. Sitting in their cars to social distance in the era of COVID-19, shareholders learned the latest technological advancements to Tesla’s vehicles. The most interesting of which is […]
Trading upward does not necessarily have to entail purchasing a newly manufactured truck right off the factory lines. Sometimes, a swap can be as easy as getting the same make and model, just increasing the year. Some thrifty companies that would rather own their trucks than lease will own used trucks until they are ready […]
It does not take a trucking expert to understand that hauling double trailers takes a lot more skill and finesse than a single. How can drivers haul more freight while reducing crashes? The state of North Dakota plans to have its legislature discuss the topic in January. The Great Debate The way things are now […]
The United States government is a complicated system. In a short summary relating to truckers, the president appoints the Secretary of the Department of Transportation, who then manages the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). It is a tall building where it may feel as though the limit of trucker input is voting for the […]
On September 29th, truckers will breathe a sigh of relief as FMCSA hours-of-service regulations are loosened and allow more leeway to the driver. If you have been delivering for the many various State of Emergencies that have plagued 2020, you may have forgotten what the changes to the hours-of-service regulations entail. Here is a refresher […]
It seems as though every trucking industry change is taken to court at some time or another. This time, it is a change that most truckers are looking forward to: the changes in hours-of-service regulations. Intended to provide added flexibility to a trucker’s daily work, the hours-of-service changes are being challenged by safety groups arguing […]
Either in spite of, or because of, all the crazy events happening in 2020, trailer sales for the recent months have been going up, up, up. We at TopMark Funding wrote in an article for July trailer sales, saying, “It will be interesting to see where August stands on the scale.” That data is officially […]
Another month has gone by since we last reported on the coronavirus pandemic affecting job numbers. Although the pandemic appears to not have an end in sight, society as a whole has become acclimated to the pandemic, and things are returning slightly back to normal. Some people are going back to work (albeit working from […]
Every month for a while now, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has been extending the State of Emergency by another month. The FMCSA has decided to take a more proactive approach, and as of September 11th the State of Emergency has been extended until the end of the year. The Details You can […]
Between COVID-19, hurricanes, and now wildfires, it seems the whole United States is in a constant state of emergency. There is little need to worry though, truckers have the means to get us through these hard times. Even more so because, like for the hurricanes before it and the coronavirus pandemic going on now, the […]
Get Cash Back From the IRS 2020 has been a tumultuous year, to say the very least. Fortunately, the United States government has many programs in place to help provide relief for its citizens. One such example that is likely to get additional use this year is Section 179, a tax deduction for businesses to […]
If you have been following trucking industry news before the coronavirus pandemic hit the forefront, you may remember that Congress debated the DRIVE Safe Act. Apparently that bill died in the halls of Congress, because truckers under the age of 21 still cannot haul freight via semi-truck across state lines. The FMCSA wants to give […]
Pardon the pun, but the trucking industry is on a roll. Trucking sales rose for yet another consecutive month. The Data Two studies, one from the Freight Transportation Research Associates (FTR) and the other from Americas Commercial Transportation Research Company (ACT), tell ever so slightly different stories. ACT estimates Class 8 truck sales for the […]
We at TopMark Funding have written about the AB-5 bill before. In the last article covering the bill, we talked about how U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez issued a preliminary junction against it, meaning that until the lawsuit between the State of California and the California Trucking Association (CTA) is resolved, the default position is […]
The DAT numbers are in for August, and it is a good time to be a trucker. Though the trendline slopes are still downward, that very well can change in the future, as August 2020 marks the fourth month in a row where all three categories of freight have risen from the previous month (Reefer […]
Alphabet Inc., known primarily for their Google search engine and YouTube video platform, has a subsidiary known as Waymo. Waymo has two wings, Waymo One for typical four-wheel driving of passenger vehicles, and Waymo Via, where they are testing the technology in 18-wheelers for long distance deliveries.Waymo is still a far way away from making […]
In the early hours of Thursday, August 27th, Hurricane Laura hit the eastern Gulf Coast of the United States. It first hit land in Louisiana, eventually touching Texas, Arkansas, and Alabama. A category 4 hurricane, Laura has winds reaching 150 MPH but not quite reaching the 156 MPH needed to be a category 5 like […]
It is a secret to absolutely nobody that there has been a pandemic for the past six months or so. The federal government, especially the White House, has been making efforts to reduce not only the health effects of COVID-19, but the secondary collateral effects on the economy as well. This scenario the world finds […]
Whether you are a fleet owner hoping to add a new Kenworth medium-duty truck to your fleet, or a dealer hoping to add some variety to your dealership lot, your decisions in regards to T270s and T370s just became much more varied. The Default Before we go into the new options for your truck, it […]
Pollution is bad. Nobody would reasonably argue against this. Anyone who lives in or has recently driven through TopMark Funding’s home state of California can see the dense smoke haze covering the state, giving headaches to anyone foolish enough to go outside without a face mask for even a small handful of minutes.How timely it […]
The United States government operates as an agreement between 50 individual states, as well as the country as a whole, called the federal level. The states help the federal, and the federal helps the states, whenever assistance is needed. On Wednesday, August 19th, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced that it would be […]
The race to get a viable fully electric heavy-duty truck is still on, but the lower difficulty challenge of doing the same for medium-duty trucks appears to be coming to a close. Now, Peterbilt Motors Company joins the lineup of electric vehicles in the Class 6 and Class 7 markets, thanks to the Peterbilt Model […]
The numbers are in. We had written about June trailer sales at approximately this same time last month, and Freight Transportation Research (FTR) has released its latest data for new trailer sales. July 2020 shattered all expectations.By the NumbersIt does not take a trucking industry expert to imagine that the coronavirus pandemic caused new trailer […]
Cummins and Navistar International announced on August 10th their plans to continue working together in a partnership, as they have for over eighty years.Working in UnisonMost truck companies, such as Volvo and PACCAR, build their own engines in house, for both cost savings and to ensure all of the parts work together. Navistar International prefers […]
At this point it is no secret that truckers and the trucking industry are the front-line warriors of the fight against the invisible foe known as COVID-19. Especially during the harshest lockdown days and even true to the present, truckers are delivering valuable goods to help people stay safe and healthy. What may come as […]
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration state of emergency has been extended for another month. This is the fifth extension, set to last until September 14th, but may be extended yet again.Changes MadeYou can read the declaration in full on the FMCSA declaration’s webpage. In summary, the exemption for hours-of-service has been extended, with a […]
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, normally having their International Roadcheck in June, scheduled it this year for May 5th to 7th. Later, it was postponed until further notice as a result of a certain worldwide pandemic. Now, the CVSA has decided that the pandemic has cooled down enough where having the event to improve safety […]
Apparently April to May was the lowest point of the coronavirus pandemic, as demand for shipped goods and materials continued its ascent for the third consecutive month (two for dry van), and all three forms of freight are at their 2020 highs.DAT speculates the current month’s rates as it is happening, and while August is […]
Currently, the FMCSA and its clearinghouse only accept urine tests for drugs and alcohol in its 50% random testing requirement. Now, safety experts are advocating for using hair testing instead. Is it a good idea to adopt this new method? There are tons of arguments for it, and one big argument against it.Pro: Ease of […]
We have written a lot about zero-emission trucks, but when it comes to hauling perishable goods such as frozen foods, tractors are only half of the equation. The reefer unit also needs to use energy in order to offset the second law of thermodynamics (that is, keep cold items cold). Wabash National, a manufacturer of […]
If you are a trucker that keeps track of anything related to regulations, you know about the FMCSA’s ELD Mandate. As of December 2019, all non-exempt trucks (exempt trucks including ones that tow other cars, among others) are required to have a compliant electronic logging device (ELD) to track various factors of driving data. The […]
The coronavirus pandemic sweeping the nation has taken its toll on the trucking industry, but the federal government will not let the industry collapse without a fight. Through the Payroll Protection Program (PPP), which is part of the CARES Act, trucking companies both big and small have applied for loans to keep goods moving, loans […]
It does not take someone familiar with the trucking industry to know that being a commercial driver requires extensive testing that must be passed in order to legally operate. What you might have not thought about in a while is the medical examination that the Department of Transportation and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration require […]
You might remember that at the beginning of 2020 we compiled annual reports from the American Trucking Associations (ATA) all the way back from 2003. The ATA generates a new report for the year prior in the middle of summer, and it is that time of year again: the ATA has a new report.Data AnalyticsThe […]
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) Operation Safe Driver Week is soon upon us. Law enforcement officials are going to be extra wary of commercial vehicles on America’s roadways. To avoid a ticket, or worse, a license suspension, follow these rules to keep bears off your tail. An Ounce of Prevention The key to surviving […]
We wrote about this before, how trucking levels were on the brink of being above the price per mile before the pandemic hit. Now we can finally bust out that champagne: we are now above February’s rates!Above and BeyondNow at this point you are probably thinking this is hardly a cause for celebration; February is […]
You might remember us writing about the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) delaying the International Roadcheck due to the coronavirus. The CVSA has decided to not let COVID-19 get in the way of its next event, however: Operation Safe Driver Week.Operation Safe Driver WeekThe CVSA describes the event as a time where “law enforcement agencies […]
Autonomous trucks may still be a far way away from becoming the norm, but the journey of a million miles begins with one wheel rotation. A small handful of companies are working together to help lay the groundwork of making it a reality.The TeamThe companies that form this partnership of establishing an autonomous network of […]
Electric vehicles are intricate machines, but eventually due to the laws of physics such as that blasted conservation of energy, the vehicles need to be recharged with juice after some amount of traveling. Emining, a Swiss technology company focusing on the mining and quarry industry, has come up with an ingenious way to have dump […]
On Tuesday, June 23rd, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration chief Jim Mullen said his agency is looking into potential violations regarding rate transparency among brokers. The statement comes from the FMCSA’s session at the Truckload Carrier’s Association’s Virtual Safety and Security Meeting. The event was moved online due to the coronavirus pandemic. The “Changes” We […]
President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order No. 13924,85 FR 31353 on May 19th, 2020. This directed federal agencies such as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to take action in fighting not just the coronavirus pandemic, but the economic damages resulting from the pandemic as well. The trucks are essentially the blood cells that […]
The two largest obstacles to making electric vehicles, especially big rigs, the dominating force in the market are range capacity and charging rates. But, there is a third you may have not even considered: heat generation. Charging Speed When charging a small car into a standard 120-volt electrical socket, the car charges at a rate […]
You may remember that TopMark Funding wrote about the INVEST in America Act in the past. What we know now is that the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has deliberated on it further. They went through over 24 hours of debate and more than 175 different proposed amendments. The finished bill was an act […]
We have written about AB-5 and its federal counterpart before. The law, intended to curb workplace abuse by making it harder to classify a worker as an independent contractor, has legal issues for owner-operators hoping to work under a larger carrier such as Landstar. If this is you and you were worried about losing your […]
Normally we at TopMark Funding provide updates for freight rates monthly, however, we bring news that is too good not to share. The rates are closely approaching the numbers they were before the pandemic began (pre-pandemic), and for reefers have already passed the point. The Graphs The rates for all three forms of freight (dry […]
President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order No. 13924,85 FR 31353 on May 19th, 2020. This directed federal agencies, including the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, to take action in fighting not just the coronavirus pandemic, but the economic damages resulting from the pandemic as well. One way the FMCSA took action was to suspend […]
TopMark Funding has been writing about COVID-19 for well over three months now, even before the World Health Organization (WHO) officially announced it as a pandemic. As time goes on and the general populace has stayed at home as long as it could to “flatten the curve”, the evidence seems to be piling up that […]
The numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) are in: the for-hire trucking sector of the U.S. economy lost 1,200 jobs in May. Furthermore, the trucking industry total employment, 1,431,000, was the lowest it has been since November 2014. This is despite the U.S. economy as a whole gaining 2.5 million jobs. By themselves, […]
The Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA), in a new step to combat the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the economy, is modifying a regulation regarding drugs. No, truckers will not be allowed to drive while smoking marijuana without being added to the Clearinghouse. The Change Normally when hiring a company driver, the company must perform […]
On March 13th, the Hours-of-Service suspension was to last until April 12th. It was then extended to May 15th, then June 15th, and now the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration extends it once again to July 14th. The Applicable Shipments Not all trucks on the road get the privilege of ignoring hours-of-service until the job […]
At TopMark Funding, we mostly like to report on the facts when it comes to the news and allow our readers to reach their own conclusions. The recent news about the Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America (INVEST in America) Act may leave truckers worried about how it […]
How much is added flexibility to your driving workday worth to you? House Democrats on Capitol Hill unveiled the Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America (INVEST in America) Act on Wednesday, May 3rd. The bill is 864 pages long, but the two biggest pieces that should interest truck […]
With Tesla delaying the Semi for another year, it appears to be that the Nikola Motor Company (also named after electrical inventor Nikola Tesla) is the frontrunner to get a fully electric semi-truck to market. Their chances just increased immensely when they finished performing a reverse merger with VectoIQ Acquisition that will also raise at […]
Truckers driving through Arizona may be relieved to hear that the Arizona Department of Transportation has updated its 511 website to include rest stops. This change details not only the locations of rest stops within the state, but also whether or not they are currently open, and the number of truck parking spots at each […]
When it comes to electric semi-trucks, one of the largest obstacles is charging times. With a standard household outlet, the charging rate for an electric semi-truck can be less than one mile per hour. But there is, for all intents and purposes, a limitless source of energy in the sky that could be harnessed for […]
The month of May resulted in some interesting phenomena for the trucking industry: usually when it comes to dry van, flatbed, and reefer hauling, the rates all change in the same direction. This has been a crazy year, which leads to some crazy changes.For May, the reefer rate average rose, most likely due to the […]
Last week we covered Peterbilt dump truck models currently in production, now we move on to Peterbilt’s brother brand, the Kenworth. Both truck types fall under the Paccar banner, so it will be interesting to see how the Kenworth dump trucks compare. As with the Peterbilt truck models, the Kenworth models are ordered numerically and […]
When you think of the brand Peterbilt, you may think of heavy-duty 18-wheeler trucks, but did you know they also make vocational vehicles that can be used as dump trucks? Here is the list of currently produced Peterbilt trucks that can be used as dump trucks, conveniently ordered on their number. Peterbilt 337 The Peterbilt […]
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has been in the news a lot lately, and the news surrounding them only gets longer as time goes on. On May 19th, the Owner-Operator Independent Driver Association (OOIDA) filed a petition with the FMCSA to demand new regulations that improve broker transparency. The Problem Owner-Operators are starting […]
Originally Posted by FreightWaves SONAR Freight forecasters need to understand what drives the freight economy in order to forecast volumes, capacity, and rates. Much like the general economy, the variables that drive the freight economy are too numerous to count. However, we can narrow down the principal factors to a select few that really move […]
It might be hard to remember with the coronavirus pandemic suspension (which was recently extended another month to mid-June) that the FMCSA has been planning reform to its hours-of-service regulations. Now the final rule has been published. Despite nobody outside of the FMCSA truly knowing what was going to be in it, it turned out […]
The Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration has announced an extension to the hours-of-service suspension. It was first declared on March 13th and originally extended from April 12th to May 15th, and is being extended again to June 14th. The Applicable Shipments Not all trucks on the road get the privilege of ignoring hours-of-service until the […]
Although it may be tiring to hear about COVID-19 each and every day, it appears that the pandemic may be coming to an end soon. The trucking industry may return to normal, but a new normal from how the trucking industry was in January 2020. What changes will be permanent? Online Interaction The need for […]
So you want to advance your career in the trucking industry and earn a little extra money to improve your life. Any of these positions, with the right expertise, can be lucrative positions to have.10. RecruiterNot a job behind the wheel of a truck, but a trucking job nonetheless. With a driver shortage in the […]
We at TopMark Funding have not been giving you the statistics for average freight rates lately, as we have been writing extensively about more immediate topics such as the Coronavirus. Now that it appears the pandemic is reaching the declining end of the curve, we can get back into the swing of things for normal […]
Heavy-duty 18-wheelers are great, but they are not the only thing TopMark Funding finances. Another popular vehicle to finance is the dump truck. We get asked a lot of questions about financing a dump truck, so we created this article to help answer questions before they arise. How Long Can You Finance a Dump Truck? […]
By The FMCSA Friday, May 1, 2020 The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is assisting in the distribution of one million protective masks to the nation’s commercial truck drivers. FMCSA has been working with states, industry stakeholders, and motor carriers to distribute one million protective face masks for truckers which were provided by the […]
Article originally posted by FreightWaves From quarantine, Canadian truck driver Nicole Folz recounts the scary reality of falling seriously ill hundreds of miles from home during a less-than-truckload run in the United States. Canadian truck driver Nicole Folz began suspecting she had COVID-19 as she prepared to make her final less-than-truckload delivery in South Carolina […]
It seems as though the coronavirus is undoing all of the reporting we did at the beginning of 2020. We wrote in early February that the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) was going to have its annual International Roadcheck event in May, but the event has been postponed until further notice. What is the culprit […]
You may recall at what was hopefully the height of the coronavirus hysteria that the state of Pennsylvania made the executive decision to close all of its rest stops in the state, even for parking purposes. After pressure from the negative press for the decision, the state of Pennsylvania has decided to renege on the […]
We at Topmark Funding have already established that truckers need sleep, but what about taking caffeine as a substitute like coffee, energy drinks, and soda? After all, with the FMCSA suspending most HOS regulations, making deliveries in a timely manner calls for the use of our old friend Joe, right? You might be surprised (or […]
Mack Trucks and Volvo Group both announced on Friday that they were going to cease assembly operations due to the coronavirus. “We have decided to temporarily suspend production as part of the effort to slow the spread of the virus in our communities.” Mary Beth Halprin, vice president of public relations, Volvo Group, said. “During […]
Recently the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced for the first time in history national suspension of certain Hours of Service regulations. This was in response to the coronavirus State of Emergency. This Wednesday on March 18th, the FMCSA has expanded the suspensions further. “Under Secretary Chao’s leadership, FMCSA is providing additional regulatory relief […]
Coronavirus news has been ramping up in the past month on how it affects the economy and various industries, and trucking is no different. With the World Health Organization considering COVID-19 the first worldwide pandemic since H1N1 (swine flu), it is a good idea to stay informed on the Coronavirus and how it impacts you, […]
Coronavirus hysteria continues: first it was just a warning, then it was a run on toilet paper, then it was a national emergency. Now Pennsylvania is closing its rest stops because it lacks the ability to clean them effectively in the wake of the pandemic, Effective March 17th at 12:01 AM. The absurdity of the […]
Suspensions of Hours of Service (HOS) regulations are nothing new to the trucking industry, just recently there were two declared in Alabama and Tennessee. What is new is that the FMCSA has announced a nationwide suspension on HOS regulations in regards to commercial vehicle drivers hauling emergency relief across the entire country. The National Emergency […]
From January to March (and especially February), when the holidays have passed but it is too early for produce to ripen, the trucking industry has its slow season. Here are our tips to help you survive this troubling time. Slow Season is Hiring Season Because the slow season has a low number of miles to […]
If you have been following trucker news for a while now, you almost certainly have heard that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has sent paperwork regarding changing Hours of Service regulations to the White House. We at TopMark Funding have been hesitant to write an article detailing this news, because here is the […]
There is no denying that coronavirus (COVID-19) hysteria has swept the nation. We at Topmark Funding even wrote an article about how to keep yourself from catching and spreading coronavirus. There was a lot of uncertainty regarding how the coronavirus would impact the trucking industry in the United States of America. As time goes on, […]
Trucking and the transportation industry as a whole have been a hotly-debated topic in the halls of Congress. It looks like we have another discussion on our hands: a truck-only VMT tax.What is a VMT Tax?VMT stands for “vehicle miles traveled”, so a tax on this would be a payment proportional to the miles traveled. […]
Keeping track of a large number of trucks simultaneously was once impossible. Fortunately, modern technology has streamlined live information regarding fleets in an easy to digest format. Using fleet management software is more of an investment than an expense: with due diligence, the money saved on fuel, maintenance, and safety make the systems pay for […]
In the previous month of February, Alabama was hit with flooding and a State of Emergency was declared. It seems with the new month, natural disasters are heading north to Tennessee, where a tornado hit Nashville in the first few days of March. Like with Alabama, a State of Emergency has been declared that suspends […]
The Women in Trucking (WIT) Association has announced plans to launch a Driver Ambassador program with various trucking businesses to raise awareness and promote career opportunities for women in trucking. WIT has partnered with Schneider National and has named Kellylynn McLaughlin, a trainer with Schneider, to be the first Driver Ambassador for WIT. “Trucking is […]
Chances are you are familiar with the existence of COVID-19, otherwise known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, or the coronavirus. There has been lots of media hubbub about coronavirus since the start of 2020, some fact and some fiction. How worried should you be while traveling on the road? If you contract the […]
Were you aware that truckers can technically drive while under the influence of marijuana, legally? But before you go lighting up cannabis and driving in your big rig while hauling thousands of pounds, it is important to know what we mean by “technically”. Not knowing the rules and limitations can get you in trouble with […]
If you have read any article about the transportation industry in the past few years, there is a high chance you have heard about a trucker shortage. Even the American Trucking Association (ATA) has been on record to say that there are not enough people hauling freight. “Over the past 15 years, we’ve watched the […]
Tires without air might not just be a luxury for push lawn mowers anymore. Bridgestone was at the 2020 Technology & Maintenance Council Annual Meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition in Georgia. It announced that it was working on air-free tires for trailers. The design, shown below, is most likely patented with its unique design of […]
Trucking is a dangerous job. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the transportation industry has the second highest fatal work injury rate per 100,000 workers (14), behind only agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting (23.4). Additionally, transportation and warehousing has the second highest amount of non-fatal injury rate per 100,000 workers (4500), beaten again by […]
In a move that had truckers across the nation rejoicing, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced on February 13th, 2020 that it would be lowering registration fees for motor carriers starting with registration year 2020 and continuing for the foreseeable future. Unified Carrier Registration Plan The Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Plan is no […]
Buying a semi-truck, whether you are buying it for yourself in the jump from company driver to owner-operator, or for an employee as you jump from owner-operator to fleet owner, will be one of the biggest decisions anyone makes in their trucking career. It is not a decision to be taken lightly. It costs money […]
Paid CDL training, is it too good to be true? On the surface, getting paid to train in a CDL program might seem like a dream come true: you get paid to be able to get paid. The logic seems airtight, but like most major decisions in life, it is a good idea to take […]
You might remember from last week that we wrote about California Assembly Bill No. 5 and its potential effects on the trucking industry as a whole. The article ended by mentioning other states following suit. Now, the House of Representatives has passed their parallel to AB5, called the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. […]
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) works hard to use the power of technology to increase transportation industry safety nationwide, but sometimes their speed of implementation falls short of expectation. The implementation of this rule has been pushed back two years from February 7th, 2020 to 2022. What is the Entry-Level Driver Training Rule? […]
One benefit of being a trucker is that your company might allow you to take a furry friend with you. If you are considering getting a four-legged driving buddy, here are some tips to get you started. Pet Friendly Companies The first thing you should do if you are employed already is to check to […]
Truckers starting out in hauling across state lines might be shocked to find out that some states have different speed limits for cars and heavy-duty trucks. These are for a few reasons: a semi-truck crashing at a higher speed limit can cause more damage, and a big rig traveling faster uses more fuel and generates […]
Though USMCA may sound like the acronym for an offshoot of the Marine Corps, in this context it stands for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. The shipping of goods between the United States, Canada, and Mexico is bound to affect the trucking industry. History of the USMCA Before we understand USMCA, we must first know the […]
We here at TopMark Funding covered WEX fuel cards as one of the best fuel cards in the market, but it appears there is a downside to being the most popular fuel card in the country. On the night of February 4th, 2020, WEX cards were not accepted at diesel pumps across the country. Hitting […]
According to current federal law in the continental United States, a truck driver must be over the age of 21 to haul freight across state lines. With a trucker shortage hitting the United States, Congress is debating the Drive Safe Act, which would allow commercial drivers under the age of 21 to drive across state […]
In early 2019, Volvo Group, the parent company of Mack Trucks, started mysteriously posting job listings to hire engineers in the Salem/Roanoke area of Virginia. Volvo declined to comment about the job listings other than to say they would fulfill “future business needs”, but Jon Harris of the Morning Call predicted that Mack Trucks may […]
To many in the trucking industry, a semi-truck that gets 10 miles per gallon (MPG) at a full load seems like a fantastic pipedream. Of course, in the early years of the trucking industry, when trucks received 2 to 3 miles per gallon, the idea of 5 miles on a gallon of diesel also seemed […]
Adam McCann of WalletHub has released a list of the best and worst states to drive in 2020. He compiled his results studying data from over 15 different sources, including the U.S. Department of Energy and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you were to simply look at the list itself, you might wonder […]
Just when you thought the FMCSA was done regulating, they toss on even more regulations. This time it’s with the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. The website is loaded with information on the new database, and you really should go there if you want to obtain a full understanding of the program. For those who […]
In an earlier article, we discussed the credit statistics of owner-operators who apply for credit and the connection between FICO score and the likelihood of an owner-operator getting the deal they want. We are going to ramp things up this time around and compare the credit and funding of owner-operators versus fleet owners and see […]
When it comes to getting a loan, there are numerous factors. The factor that impacts the other factors the most, however, has to be credit score. A credit score can be the difference between a double-digit and a single-digit loan on your truck, or the difference as to whether or not you get a loan […]
With fuel costs being one of the largest costs in the transportation industry, diesel fuel may be approaching its decline. Companies are racing to be the first to bring about a revolution of fueling to reap the rewards. Many alternative power systems are being researched, but none has caught the public’s eye quite like electric […]
In 2016, Uber delivered 50,000 cans of beer over 120 miles of highway without any driver intervention. But two years later, Uber closed down its self-driving semi-trucks division to focus on self-driving cars instead. The trucking profession is huge, over five percent of all American jobs are in truck transportation. When self-driving trucks progress far […]
The first thing every up-and-coming trucker should know is that their semi-truck takes diesel fuel, not gasoline. What even some experienced truckers may not know are the nuances between diesel and gasoline, and why there is a distinction. Here, we go over the differences between the two. Origins Back in the 19th century, when automobiles […]
At the time of this writing, the year 2020 is still in its infancy. After the tumultuous time of change for the trucking industry in both 2018 and 2019, it is time to make sense of the industry’s health to see if there’s any trends that need addressing. Trucking Isn’t Going Away Amongst the news […]
Are you looking to buy a box truck and need truck financing? We’ve put together a guide on how to get a box truck lease and financing. Box truck leasing and commercial truck financing are different from traditional vehicle financing and leasing. Traditional truck loans typically require your credit, business revenue, and time in business […]
Every truck should know the weight of diesel fuel. How much does a gallon of diesel fuel weight? When a normal driver passes a truck on the freeway, they don’t really think twice. They might think they want to speed up to pass it, or that they’re getting their view blocked. They don’t think about […]
How much money do truck drivers make per year? When you’re considering a job, perhaps the most important question of all is how much money you will make. The same goes for the trucking industry, and the answer is a little less straightforward than a simple salary amount. There are about 3.5 million truck drivers […]
