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EPA DEF

EPA Proposes End to DEF Derating

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A phrase you have likely never heard in the trucking industry until now, and will likely never hear in earnest is, “I love DEF derating!” The basic concept is simple: when a pollution aspect of the truck does not operate as well as it should, the truck intentionally limits its power until the problem is resolved. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) knows how much of a drag this regulation is, so the Trump Administration’s EPA is considering putting a stop to it.

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EPA Supports Right to Repair

EPA Supports the Right to Repair

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One movement that has gained a lot of traction in the technology sphere is “right to repair”, and chances are you have heard about it here and there: conglomerates making it difficult to repair already bought equipment so as to make fixing more expensive or even impossible so that the original manufacturer can get additional sales of a product. The Trump Administration and its Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is bringing this movement to the trucking industry.

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ATRI Collects Data on DriverFacing Cameras

ATRI Collects Data on Driver-Facing Cameras

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When it comes to the trucking industry (especially after the recent Supreme Court case ruling 9-0 that brokers are liable for carrier collisions leading to a higher importance placed on safety ratings), it is imperative to be able to cover yourself in case things go horribly wrong. One such method of doing so is having driver-facing cameras to prove that the driver was acting on his best behavior so as to clear him or her from liability. Because it also has privacy implications, the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) wants to ask: do the benefits of driver-facing cameras cause so much benefit as to justify their inclusion on every truck?

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FMCSA to Remove Obsolete Regulations

FMCSA to Remove Obsolete Regulations

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If you ever take the time to look up crazy laws (such as it being illegal to eat an orange in the bathtub in California), the most common cause of it is that it was established well over a century and never taken off the books while still being enforced. When it comes to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), however, they often enforce old regulations while they are still on the books. In an effort to reduce regulations that have next to no impact on safety, the FMCSA for Trump’s second term is looking to cut old rules.

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Regulatory Petition

Regulatory Petition May Change Off-Duty Drug Testing

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The interesting thing about sweeping regulations is that there are bound to be edge cases that fall through the cracks. Such is the case of one Nathan Weidert, who has submitted a petition to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to prohibit random drug tests from happening while a driver is off-duty.DetailsThe concept of […]

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Bluewire Works with DOT

Bluewire Works with DOT to Provide Safety Ratings

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Since the case of Montgomery V. Caribe Transport II, LLC ruled that brokers can be held liable for hiring less-than-stellar hauling companies, a new problem has presented itself: the sheer number of trucking companies makes it difficult to qualify them all, with an estimated 90% of trucking companies currently not having a rating at all. To that end, the Department of Transportation (DOT) is hiring a business intelligence firm Bluewire, to use artificial intelligence to analyze past driving behavior and provide ratings.

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Modern Clean and Safe Trucks Act

Modern, Clean, and Safe Trucks Act Would Repeal FET

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The Federal Excise Tax (FET). Everyone in the trucking industry’s favorite thing to hate. Established during World War I and kept for over one hundred years thereafter, adds a 12% fee to new trucks that goes into Uncle Sam’s pocket. Numerous attempts have been made to suspend or remove it, and the latest one as of June 2026 is the Modern, Clean, and Safe Trucks Act.

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BUILD America 250 Act

BUILD America 250 Act Would Provide Infrastructure Funding

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The United States of America is rapidly approaching its 250th year of existence, and one of the nation’s greatest marvels is its over 4 million miles of road. One bipartisan use of taxpayer money is to repair and improve the nation’s roadways. Add this all together and what do you get? The BUILD America 250 Act earmarking $580 billion for surface transportation.

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FMCSA Removes Another 12 ELDs

FMCSA Removes Another 12 ELDs

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One thing the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) does extremely well is put Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) out of commission for being no longer compliant with FMCSA regulations. While usually the FMCSA will do this in piecemeal, this time it is rolling up its sleeves and taking out a dozen in one fell swoop.

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CARB Announces Rebate

CARB Announces Electric Vehicle Rebates

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They say what goes for California, the most populous state in the nation and the one with the highest gross domestic product, goes for the rest of the nation. Recently, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has suffered court losses regarding their authority to prohibit certain trucks, but that is not enough to stop CARB from encouraging trucking companies to make the switch from diesel to alternative fuels. Now, CARB hopes to use a carrot rather than a stick–rewarding those who decide to change as opposed to punishing those who do not.

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FMCSA DataQ

FMCSA Revises DataQ Requirements

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When it comes to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there are numerous databases, so you would not be penalized if you were not fully aware of DataQ, a database that describes itself as, “an FMCSA system that allows users to request and track a review of Federal and State data issued by FMCSA believed to be incomplete or incorrect.” Recently, the FMCSA made an announcement that they were revising how DataQ was going to work, and that states would have to comply to continue receiving funding.

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Baltimore Considers Truck Parking Ban

Baltimore Considers Truck Parking Ban

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When it comes to the truck parking saga, there is always an update. 11 spots per truck going down to 10 spots per truck (estimated), an opening of a variety of spots from both the private and public sector, but worst of all is when we have to report municipalities trying to solve the symptoms of truck parking woes without addressing the underlying cause. The most recent city to take up this position: Baltimore, Maryland.

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Supreme Court Case Broader Implications

Supreme Court Case May Have Broader Trucking Implications

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In December 2017, a commercial vehicle rammed into a legally-parked truck at full speed, severely injuring occupant Shawn Montgomery. Needless to say, he sued the driver and the company he drove for, but he also sued the third-party brokerage firm that hired the transport company and driver, stating that the broker, C.H. Robinson, should have known better than to hire the trucking company in question. Is C.H. Robinson liable for damages? Different states have different answers, but an upcoming Supreme Court case may result in a unified federal decision.

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Transportation Secretary Duffy Speaks

Transportation Secretary Duffy Speaks at Mid-America Trucking Show

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Every year in Louisville, Kentucky, the Mid-America Trucking Show brings truckers and industry stakeholders from all across the country to participate in all things trucking related, whether its chowing down on some good food, admiring custom truck designs, or getting a sneak peak at the latest and greatest technology. Two guests of honor at the event were Sean Duffy, the Secretary of Transportation, and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Administrator Derek Barrs, who both went on to speak a few words about what they and the government were doing to make trucking life easier.

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ATA Asks Congress Nicely About Highway Bill Changes

ATA Asks Congress Nicely About Highway Bill Changes

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It is hard to believe that we are almost five years out from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, meaning that a new surface transportation Bill is going to have to come down the pipeline in order to keep our nation’s wheels spinning. The American Trucking Associations, a key industry stakeholder comprising every state trucking association, has some suggestions.

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DOT Secretary Wants to Streamline State Projects

DOT Secretary Wants to Streamline State Projects

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Inflation. It hits every sector eventually, but currently seems to have hit construction the most. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) estimates that construction costs for road projects have increased by approximately 70% in the last five years. To that end, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy wants to get to work on making infrastructure projects quicker to build so that they do not fall victim to inflation.

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EPA Wants DEF Data

EPA Wants DEF Data

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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken a step back in terms of its raw enforcement ever since the transition to the second Trump Administration from President Joe Biden, but that does not mean the EPA is doing absolutely nothing to manage the environment. In an attempt to balance economic growth with environmental health, the EPA is demanding that original equipment manufacturers submit data on their Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) system failures.

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States Consider English Language

States Consider English Language Proficiency Laws

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Until now, all of the hubbub regarding English language proficiency was on the federal level, with the federal government threatening to withhold funding should the state refuse to comply with federal standards. Now, some states, in line with the federal government, are taking a stand and implementing their own state laws regarding use of the English language.

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National Defense Authorization Act

National Defense Authorization Act Would Give Truckers a Boost

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Christmas is just around the corner at the time of writing this, and to that end Congress is hoping to get one last major Bill into law before taking a break. It is a $900 billion policy Bill for the Pentagon and other military spending. Having already passed the House, it now goes to the Senate. Should it pass, there is a lot of wordage in the Bill that will help commercial drivers who work with the federal government.

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FMCSA Removes 3000 Training Providers from Registry

FMCSA Removes 3,000 CDL Training Providers from Registry

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A little under a month ago, we reported how the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) was cracking down on “CDL mills”, training providers who seem to focus on quantity over quality of truckers, in an effort to make the nation’s roads safer. That is exactly what happened in the last month, as the FMCSA has reduced the number of listed training providers on its registry.

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DRIVE Safe Act Puts

DRIVE Safe Act Participation Puts Trucker Shortage into Question

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If you have been paying attention to the trucking industry for any amount of time, chances are the phrase “trucker shortage” has hit your ears. Surely if the trucker shortage were real and fleets were desperate to get their hands on more drivers, there would be an increased demand for younger drivers to be able to cross state lines. The pilot program for under-21 interstate travel led to abysmal results, indicating that maybe fleets are not as strained for drivers as initially thought.

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New York State Bans Empty Trucks

New York State Bans Empty Trucks

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Upon reading the title of this article, you may think this counts as another crazy political power grab built to make the life of the average trucker harder, not unlike the congestion pricing rules that were to go into effect had the federal government not intervened. Rest assured, there is a good reason why the Empire State is prohibiting travel below a certain weight threshold.

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DOT_Threatens_Pennsvlvania

DOT Threatens Pennsylvania Over CDLs

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“Though Duffy has targeted California because it is the most populous state in the nation, home to about 11.5% of all people in the nation, Duffy hopes to expand into turning the screws on other states, a measure he has had difficulty implementing during the government shutdown but may now go into overdrive as Congress found a resolution that will last until the end of January 2026. Now that the government will be back in full force, Duffy’s department may just very well do that.”

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Clean Energy Stakeholders Petition

Clean Energy Stakeholders Petition for Transparent Subsidies

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Generally speaking, electric trucks are more energy efficient than diesel trucks, when comparing the amount of energy it takes to go a mile (effective miles per gallon is the commonly used metric to compare the apples of electricity to the oranges of diesel). With that said, there are many more factors in play when it comes to trucking companies making the decision to transition to electric. Perhaps the biggest one is price.

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FMCSA Targets So-Called “CDL Mills”

FMCSA Targets So-Called “CDL Mills”

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If you have been in the trucking industry for any amount of time, you have likely heard of the “trucker shortage”, the idea that there are not enough commercial drivers on the road to fulfill the transportation needs of the nation. It goes without saying that if this is the case, then surely having more truckers would help alleviate it, but the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) does not want to solve the trucker shortage by letting just anyone get behind the wheel of a big rig.

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CARB Sues Truck Manufacturers

CARB Sues Truck Manufacturers for Potential Contract Violation

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Contracts are an important part of society that keeps things going even when the unpredictable happens. This is why the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is unhappy with a set of four truck manufacturers who agreed to the “Clean Truck Partnership” in 2023 and have now, with a new presidential administration, given hints that they are planning on reneging on the deal.

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DOT Secretary Expands English Enforcement

DOT Secretary Expands English Enforcement

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In a cable interview with Fox News, Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean Duffy says that he is turning the screws even further on the trucking industry in regards to enforcing English proficiency as a rule of the road. First, it was going after the truck drivers themselves. Then, it was going after the states that enabled them. Now, the DOT is going one step further by holding shippers accountable if they willingly enter into a contract involving a driver who is not proficient at English.

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Pennsylvania to Perform Aggressive Driving Enforcement Blitz

Pennsylvania to Perform Aggressive Driving Enforcement Blitz

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When it comes to road safety, perhaps three of the biggest risks a driver can take to impact their driving ability are driving while intoxicated, exhausted, or angry. The third one is often overlooked, and because of that Pennsylvania announced that for the next few weeks it was going to be on the lookout for aggressive behaviors on the road and make them even angrier by dishing out citations.

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DOT to Withhold $40 Million in Funding from California

DOT to Withhold $40 Million in Funding from California

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The newest chapter in the California saga unfolds, as last we wrote about the ongoing battle between state and federal government, California was only one of a few states not complying with new regulations regarding issuance of non-domiciled CDLs. However, according to Sean Duffy of the Department of Transportation, California is the only state that is not enforcing the English language requirements on the road, and for every action there is an opposite reaction.

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ATA Writes to Congress Demanding Higher Safety Standards

ATA Writes to Congress Demanding Higher Safety Standards

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You have probably heard murmurs of a trucker shortage if you have been driving on the road for any time longer than two months, but should resolving any supposed lack of workforce come at a compromise of lowering safety standards? American Trucking Associations’ President and CEO Chris Spear wrote to Congress saying that the answer to that question is a resounding “no.”

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FMCSA NonDomiciled

FMCSA Targets Non-Domiciled CDLs

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The war between state and federal governments continue, as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration plans to tighten access to Non-Domiciles Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs), essentially the trucking equivalent of a green card for non-citizens. What does this have to do with state government? A good number of them come from one particular golden state.

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CARB Proposes Emergency Amendments to Defend Regulations

CARB Proposes Emergency Amendments to Defend Regulations

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The battle between the state of California and the federal government in regards to environmental regulations continues, with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) proposing what it calls “emergency amendments” to stop going forward with more regulations but still maintain those established during the Biden Administration from 2021-2024.

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FMCSA Plans Sleeper Berth Pilot Program

FMCSA Plans Sleeper Berth Pilot Program

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The life of a truck driver requires a lot of flexibility, something that regulations can, while intentions are good, get in the way of and make things more difficult for all. To that end, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has announced through the “Pro Trucker Package” two new pilot programs where they will test the effects of new regulations on a small subset of truckers, and, if the data looks good, implement it on the general populace to make trucker life easier to manage.

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FMCSA Revokes Three More ELDs

Trump Administration Vs. Trucking Regulations

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If you thought the first Trump Administration from 2017 was intense in cutting regulations, the second Trump Administration kicks it into hyperdrive. Like Argentina Prime Minister Javier Millei raising a chainsaw in defiance towards the red tape, Trump’s second Administration is ordered to slash 10 regulations for every new one added, a quintuple increase from his first term. Here are the current standings of some of the most contentious topics in the trucking industry, and where they stand as of late 2025.

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DOT Considers Fentanyl Testing

DOT Considers Fentanyl Testing

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It has been referred to as the silent killer. Fentanyl. Normally used in microdoses as an analgesic in hospitals, it has been used by druglords to stretch their supply of narcotics, often to lethal effect. The Department of Transportation (DOT) is now considering adding fentanyl to its list of tested drugs, as it is often described as being an order of magnitude stronger than morphine.

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Speed Limiter Regulation Officially Iced

Speed Limiter Regulation Officially Iced for Four Years Minimum

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The battle of regulations regarding speed regulators is a long-fought war, but those in opposition of it have received some reprieve, as the Department of Transportation (DOT) under the 47th President of the United States Donald Trump has announced that it will not be pursuing speed limiters for the foreseeable future.

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Trump Rolls Back ObamaEra Emissions Waiver

Trump Rolls Back Obama-Era Emissions Waiver

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One June 12th, 2025, 47th President of the United States Donald Trump signed an order that rules back a regulation from the Obama-era that gave states such as California more leeway in determining its own emission standards for vehicles, ranging from standard 4-wheel passenger vehicles used to commute to work to commercial vehicles that are work.

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Sean Duffy to Reduce Trucking Regulations

Sean Duffy to Reduce Trucking Regulations

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“My department is slashing duplicative and outdated regulations that are unnecessarily burdensome, waste taxpayer dollars, and fail to ensure safety,” Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said in an announcement on May 29th. “These are common-sense changes that will help us build a more efficient government that better reflects the needs of the American people. Big government has been a big failure.”

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FMCSA to Implement Two-Step Test in English Proficiency

FMCSA to Implement Two-Step Test in English Proficiency

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As we established in a previous article, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order explicitly requiring the enforcement of a prior regulation saying that CDL-holders must understand English. To fulfill that Executive Order, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is planning to implement a test to make sure those who are questioned about their English fluency are able to talk the talk, so to speak.

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ATRI Proposes Alternative to Federal Excise Tax

ATRI Proposes Alternative to Federal Excise Tax

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The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) has said on numerous occasions that the Federal Excise Tax (FET) is an inefficient system of collecting money that’s externalities cause it to not be worth the struggle, but seldom does the other side of the equation come into question: the shortfall in funding that removing the FET altogether would bring. ATRI has a solution.

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Sean Duffy Finalizes 76 Projects

Sean Duffy Finalizes 76 Projects

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We have written at great length about Biden-era infrastructure investments, and how things have changed (or in some cases, stayed the same) with the transition to the second Trump Administration. One such case is the lawsuit of sixteen states trying to get money from established funds. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy is working to get those infrastructure projects underway.

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Trump Administration Woke Emissions Regulations

Trump Administration to Repeal “Woke” Emissions Regulations

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When it comes to the trucking industry, it seems that the Trump Administration is taking an approach where actions speak louder than words. Rather than spending time focusing on the nitty-gritty finer details of the inner workings of the trucking industry, the administration of the 47th president is focused on getting goods from Point A to Point B.

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Derek Barrs Considered for FMCSA Administrator Position

Derek Barrs Considered for FMCSA Administrator Position

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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 […]

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Adrienne Camire to Lead FMCSA

Adrienne Camire to Lead FMCSA

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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 […]

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Federal Government Fights New York on Congestion Pricing

Federal Government Fights New York on Congestion Pricing

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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.

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EPA Admin Submits Regulatory Rollbacks

EPA Admin Submits Regulatory Rollbacks

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Lee Zeldin, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has submitted waivers to pull back California’s approval for the Advanced Clean Truck and Omnibus NOx regulations that were established under the Biden Administration. How does submitting waivers to Congress actually stop those regulations rather than hurt it? Well, it is complicated.DetailsWe have covered both of […]

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FEMA Opens Service Applications to Truck Fleets

FEMA Opens Service Applications to Truck Fleets

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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 […]

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New York Considering Reduction in Clean Trucks Regulation

New York Considering Reduction in Clean Trucks Regulation

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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 […]

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Department of Energy Grants 68 Million in Charging Projects

Department of Energy Grants $68 Million in Charging Projects

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The new administration may have a philosophy of “drill, baby, drill”, but it does not consider electric vehicles to be completely off the table as an alternative to standard fossil fuels. To that end, the Department of Energy (DOE) is offering $68,000,000 in establishing charging stations for fully electric heavy-duty trucks across the nation.DetailsOne such […]

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California Abandons Advanced Clean Fleet Rule

California Abandons Advanced Clean Fleets Rule

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Unless you have been living under a rock for the past two years, you have heard about the California Air Resource Board (CARB) and their strong plans to make the trucking industry greener. No new diesel trucks by 2036. Illegal to operate a diesel truck by 2042. Well, drivers in or traveling through the Golden State can now rest easier, as CARB has decided to abandon these plans.

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FMCSA Denies Exemption for Driverless Trucks

DOT Releases Recap of Past Four Years

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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 […]

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What Trumps Tariffs Mean for the Trucking Industry

What Trump’s Tariffs Mean for the Trucking Industry

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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 […]

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Biden Administration Races Against the Clock for Infrastructure Spending

Biden Administration Races Against the Clock for Infrastructure Spending

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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 […]

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FMCSA Issues State of Emergency for Hurricane Milton

FMCSA Issues State of Emergency for Hurricane Milton

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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 […]

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Texas_Town_Bans_Truck_Parking

Texas Town Bans Truck Parking

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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 […]

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Bureau of Industry and Security Proposes Foreign Component Ban

Bureau of Industry and Security Proposes Foreign Component Ban

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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 […]

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The Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act

The Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act

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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 […]

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Biden-Harris Administration Announces CDL Training Grants

Biden-Harris Administration Announces CDL Training Grants

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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 […]

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ATA Fights California Fleet Rule

ATA Fights California Fleet Rule

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Another day, another lawsuit in the name of fighting against potential governmental overreach. This time, it is the American Trucking Associations (ATA) versus California and the California Air Resources Board when it comes to a rule about the transition to electric fleets.DetailsChris Spear said in announcing the lawsuit:“ATA remains adamantly opposed to California’s ill-conceived, unattainable […]

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Colorado Department of Transportation to Revise Speed Limit in Certain Areas

Colorado Department of Transportation to Revise Speed Limit in Certain Areas

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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 […]

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CTA Abandons AB5 Fight

CTA Abandons AB-5 Fight

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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 […]

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Using a Quirk in Batteries to Improve Charging Infrastructure

Using a Quirk in Batteries to Improve Charging Infrastructure

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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, […]

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Congress Fights to Block Department of Labor Rule

Congress Fights to Block Department of Labor Rule

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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 […]

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DOT Has No Plans to Change Marijuana Regulations

DOT Has No Plans to Change Marijuana Regulations

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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 […]

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Federal Regulators Hear About Predatory Towing

Federal Regulators Hear About Predatory Towing

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Towing companies are often pointed at as a major scapegoat in the trucking industry, but that reputation is not without warrant: predatory towing is perhaps the one thing everyone in the trucking industry despises, such as when they charge for two days when they pull it at 11:59 P.M. To that end, the Department of […]

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Senators Reveal REVEAL Act

Senators Reveal REVEAL Act

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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 […]

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FMCSA Issues Safety Funding to All Fifty States

FMCSA Issues Safety Funding to All Fifty States

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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 […]

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Mississippi Cracks Down on Predatory Towing Practices

Mississippi Cracks Down on Predatory Towing Practices

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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 […]

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Biden Administration Provides 1 5 Billion for ZeroEmission Trucks

Biden Administration Provides $1.5 Billion for Zero-Emission Trucks

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The Biden Administration announced in mid-March its plans to build electric corridors across the nation. Now it is putting its money where its mouth is, as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is offering $1.5 billion to various states and municipalities to accelerate the switch to zero-emission vehicles. Details The declaration of this grant money comes […]

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California_Trucking_Groups_Appeal_Latest_AB5_Decision

California Trucking Groups Appeal Latest AB-5 Decision

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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 […]

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Autonomous Vehicles Bill in Kentucky Becomes Law

Autonomous Vehicles Bill in Kentucky Becomes Law

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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 […]

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FMCSA Issues States of Emergency for Baltimore Bridge Collapse

FMCSA Issues State of Emergency for Baltimore Bridge Collapse

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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 […]

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Another Lawsuit Filed Against Californias Diesel Ban

Another Lawsuit Filed Against California’s Diesel Ban

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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 […]

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EPA Turns Screws on Environmental Regulations

EPA Turns Screws on Environmental Regulations

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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 […]

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Judge Rules Against California AB5 Exemption

Judge Rules Against California AB-5 Trucking Exemption

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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, […]

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FHA Plans Electric Corridors

FHA Plans Electric Corridors

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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 […]

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Congress Reviews Department of Labor Rule

Congress Reviews Department of Labor Rule

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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 […]

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FMCSA to Revamp CLP to CDL Pipeline

FMCSA to Revamp CLP to CDL Pipeline

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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 […]

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Robin Hutcheson Steps Down from FMCSA Administrator

Robin Hutcheson Steps Down from FMCSA Administrator

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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 […]

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Department of Labor Plans to Move Toward AB-5 Style Law

Department of Labor Plans to Move Toward AB-5-Style Law

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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 […]

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Some States Decry Autonomous Trucking Others Embrace It

Some States Decry Autonomous Trucking, Others Embrace It

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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 […]

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21 States Sue Biden Administration Over Emission Regulations

21 States Sue Biden Administration Over Emission Regulations

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A coalition of 21 different states has banded together to sue the Biden Administration over the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) latest rules regarding truck emissions. They say that the Biden Administration has overstepped its constitutional powers.DetailsThe states that are joining in this lawsuit are:Kentucky (Where the lawsuit is taking place)AlabamaAlaskaArkansasFloridaIdahoIndianaIowaKansasMississippiMontanaNebraskaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaUtahVirginiaWest VirginiaWyomingThe plaintiffs […]

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Vivek_Ramaswamy_Speaks_at_Worlds_Largest_Truckstop

Vivek Ramaswamy Speaks at World’s Largest Truckstop

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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 […]

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CARB to Hold Off on Enforcement of 2024 Regulation

CARB to Hold Off on Enforcement of 2024 Regulation

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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 […]

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United States to Develop Hydrogen Hubs

United States to Develop Hydrogen Hubs

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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 […]

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Iowa and Wyoming to Receive Parking Funding

Iowa and Wyoming Receive Parking Funding

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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 […]

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Washington Bridge in Rhode Island Undergoes Emergency Repairs

Washington Bridge in Rhode Island Undergoes Emergency Repairs

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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 […]

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Indiana to Spend $600 Million on Truck Parking Spots

Indiana to Spend $600 Million on Truck Parking Spots

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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 […]

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USDOT Announces 1.5Billion in Grants

USDOT Announces $1.5 Billion in Grants

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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 […]

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Connectiut Ignores Californias Advanced Clean Truck Regulation

Connecticut Ignores California’s Advanced Clean Truck Regulation

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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 […]

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Other States Follow Californias Advanced Clean Truck Regulation

Other States Follow California’s Advanced Clean Truck Regulation

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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 […]

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Highway Construction Costs Skyrocket

Highway Construction Costs Skyrocket

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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 […]

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Kentucky Issues State of Emergency for Wildfire

Kentucky Issues State of Emergency for Wildfire

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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, […]

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California to Create New Database on Trucks

California to Create Database on Trucks

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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 […]

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Pennsylvania to Adopt California Emissions Standards

Pennsylvania to Adopt California Emissions Standards

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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 […]

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CTA Sues CARB

CTA Sues CARB

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You might remember the defense that the California Trucking Association (CTA) and other industry stakeholders used when first fighting against California AB-5, that being, it butts against the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act (F4A) of 1994, dealing in interstate commerce. While the AB-5 case did not make it to a Supreme Court hearing, that is […]

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FMCSA to Revise Emergency Rules

FMCSA to Revise Emergency Rules

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We write about State of Emergency Declarations all the time here at TopMark Funding, but it seems the number of them and to what extent they cover are about to decrease, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).DetailsOn October 10th, the FMCSA released a Final Rule that is set to reduce the number […]

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California Governor Vetoes Autonomous Truck Ban

California Governor Vetoes Autonomous Truck Ban

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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 […]

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FMCSA in Trouble with Another Agency

FMCSA in Trouble with Another Agency

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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 […]

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More Tropical Storms Bring More Emergency Declarations

More Tropical Storms Bring More Emergency Declarations

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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 […]

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Emergency Declaration Waivers for Hurricane Lee

Emergency Declaration Waivers for Hurricane Lee

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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 […]

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Department of Transportation Announces Truck Parking Grants

Department of Transportation Announces Truck Parking Grants

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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 […]

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MoDOT Intentionally Explodes Bridge

MoDOT Intentionally Explodes Bridge

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If you are in the mood to watch some good old fashioned destruction, the fine folks over at the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) have you covered.DetailsOn September 10th, MoDOT set off explosives on the supports of the Rocheport Bridge, causing it to collapse. The bridge is located near Columbia, Missouri and takes the I-70 […]

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California AB316 May Ban Autonomous Trucks

California AB-316 May Ban Autonomous Trucks

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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 […]

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Section 179 Deduction 2023

Section 179 Deduction 2023

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,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 […]

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FMCSA to Reconsider California and Washington Break Rules

FMCSA to Reconsider California and Washington Break Rules

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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 […]

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Truck Manufacturers Reach Agreement with CARB

Truck Manufacturers Reach Agreement with CARB

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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 […]

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Trucking Stakeholders Oppose Labor Secretary Nomination

Trucking Stakeholders Oppose Labor Secretary Nomination

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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 […]

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FMCSA Wants to End COVID19 CDL Waiver

FMCSA Wants to End COVID-19 CDL Waiver

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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 […]

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Congress Votes for EPA Rollback

Congress Votes for EPA Rollback

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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 […]

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CTA and OOIDA Prepare New Battle_Against_AB5

CTA and OOIDA Prepare New Battle Against AB-5

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AB-5, a law regarding the classification of workers depending on a variety of standards, may be the law of the land in the most populous state, California, but that is not stopping the trucking industry from challenging it from applying to the industry. Now, the California Trucking Association (CTA) and Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) […]

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Will AEB Regulation Come to Trucking

Will AEB Regulation Come to Trucking?

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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 […]

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AntiSpeed Limiter Bill Introduced to Congress

Anti-Speed Limiter Bill Introduced to Congress

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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 […]

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California Goes Beyond the Pale with Emission Regulations

California Goes Beyond the Pale with Emission Regulations

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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 […]

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Industry Stakeholders Sound off on Environmental Regulations

Industry Stakeholders Sound off on Environmental Regulations

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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. […]

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ATRI Wants Truckers Opinions on Marijuana

ATRI Wants Truckers Opinions on Marijuana

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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 […]

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Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act Reaches House

Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act Reaches House

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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 […]

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Clean Freight Coalition Founded

Clean Freight Coalition Founded

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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 […]

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What Are The Different Commercial Vehicle Classes

What Are The Different Commercial Vehicle Classes?

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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 […]

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California Tests Light Autonomous Trucks Leaves Class 8 on Shelf

California Tests Light Autonomous Trucks, Leaves Class 8 on Shelf

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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 […]

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Avia Outlines Regulatory Reccomendations

AVIA Outlines Regulatory Recommendations

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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 […]

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FMCSA Closes Clearinghouse Loophole

FMCSA Closes Clearinghouse Loophole

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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 […]

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CVSA Updates OutofService HoursofService Rules

CVSA Updates Out-of-Service Hours-of-Service Rules

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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 […]

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Republican Senators Fight Against EPA Truck Rule

Republican Senators Fight Against EPA Truck Rule

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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 […]

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FMCSA Revoking ELDs Shows Flaws in Current System

FMCSA Revoking ELDs Shows Flaws in Current System

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In the last two weeks the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has revoked three Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) of their certification status. Drivers who had one of these three types of ELDs are required to use paper logs until they can obtain a suitable replacement. This situation highlights a serious issue in the ELD […]

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Court Rules Over Intermodal Chassis Choice Case

Court Rules Over Intermodal Chassis Choice Case

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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 […]

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What a truck of the future may look like: fully electric and fully autonomous.

FMCSA Asks for Public Opinion on Autonomous Trucks

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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 […]

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New Bill Gives Truckers Access to Restrooms

New Bill Gives Truckers Access to Restrooms

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What’s New? The Trucker Bathroom Accessibility Act was introduced by U.S. Reps. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) and Chrissy Houlahan (D. Pa.). If passed, the bill would require businesses with a restroom for either employees or customers to be open to delivery or pick-up drivers. The bill does not require businesses without a restroom to construct one, […]

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Truck_Parking_Bill_Introduced_in_Senate

Truck Parking Bill Introduced in Senate

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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 […]

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Rail Unions Reject Tentative Deal, Reinstating Strike Risk

Rail Unions Reject Tentative Deal, Reinstating Strike Risk

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Background On July 15, President Joe Biden blocked a freight railroad strike in Omaha, Nebraska. This strike would disrupt the fragile supply chain by delaying the shipment of goods for at least 60 days. To combat this, President Biden appointed a board of arbitrators, the Presidential Emergency Board, to help the dispute with contract building […]

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Top 7 Most Impactful Trucking Laws

Top 7 Most Impactful Trucking Laws

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The trucking industry is ever-changing and the history of trucking is very extensive. What is even more extensive, is the recent influx in regulations pertaining to trucking and overall transportation. We’ve hand-crafted a list of the most influential and relevant regulations to the trucking industry. Some you may be familiar with, and some you may […]

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DOT_Posts_Significant_Rulemaking_Report_for_2023

DOT Posts Significant Rulemaking Report for 2023

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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 […]

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Oklahoma_Announces_State_of_Emergency_in_Response_to_Drought

Oklahoma Announces State of Emergency in Response to Drought

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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 […]

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Georgia_Department_of_Transportation_Closes_Lanes_on_I285

Georgia Department of Transportation Closes Lanes on I-285

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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 […]

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Eight_States_HoursofService_Waived_in_Response_to_Hurricane_Ian

Eight States’ Hours-of-Service Waived in Response to Hurricane Ian

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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 […]

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Florida_Has_State_of_Emergency_Regarding_Tropical_Depression

Florida has State of Emergency Regarding Tropical Depression

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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 […]

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Rhode_Island_Truck_Tolls_Defeated_in_Court

Rhode Island Truck Tolls Defeated in Court

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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 […]

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Robin_Hutcheson_Is_Now_the_FMCSA_Administrator

Robin Hutcheson Is Now the FMCSA Administrator

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Months after it was first put into motion, the Senate vote for Robin Hutcheson to become the first FMCSA Administrator since October 2019 has completed. Robin Hutcheson is now the FMCSA Administrator.DetailsIt has been almost three years since Ray Martinez left the position in October 2019. Since then, numerous Acting Administrators have held down the […]

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FMCSA_to_Research_Truckers_Using_Autonomous_Technology

FMCSA to Research Truckers Using Autonomous Technology

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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 […]

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FMCSA_Extends_COVID19_Waivers_Another_Three_Months

FMCSA Extends COVID-19 Waivers Another Three Months

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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 […]

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BidenHarris_Administration_Founds_WOTAB

Biden-Harris Administration Founds WOTAB

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“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 […]

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AB5_Applies_to_California_Trucking_For_Now

AB-5 Applies to California Trucking, For Now

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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 […]

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West_Coast_Suffers_Drought_Rest_Floods

West Coast Suffers Drought; Rest, Floods

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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 […]

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Delaware Bill Could Increase Truck Parking Fines

Delaware Bill Could Increase Truck Parking Fines

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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 […]

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FMCSA to Give $44 Million to State CDL Programs

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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 […]

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Kentucky & West Virginia Issue Emergencies for Torrential Flooding

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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 […]

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Ports of California Resumes Normal Operation

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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 […]

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Minnesota Declares State of Emergency for Petroleum Fuels

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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 […]

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California Truckers Protest AB-5

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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 […]

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FMCSA Extends Baby Formula Shortage Declaration

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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 […]

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The Business to Business Exemption for AB-5

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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 […]

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Supreme Court Declines to Hear AB-5 Case

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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 […]

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Montana Declares State of Emergency Due to Flooding

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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 […]

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Robin Hutcheson Has Confirmation Hearing

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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 […]

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Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 Passes Congress

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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 […]

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FMCSA_Updates_Driver_Qualification_Rules

FMCSA Updates Driver Qualification File Rules

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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 […]

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Will the Supreme Court Hear the AB-5 Case?

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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 […]

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North Dakota Issues State of Emergency for Cold Snap

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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, […]

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FMCSA Amends Coronavirus Emergency Declaration

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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 […]

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Pennsylvania Introduces Truck Driver Restroom Access Act

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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 […]

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Kentucky Declares State of Emergency Regarding Severe Weather

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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 […]

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Increased Security at Border Causes Truck Traffic

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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 […]

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House of Representatives Introduces SSCTTDI Act

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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 […]

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California Air Resources Board to Prohibit Pre-2010 Engines in 2023

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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 […]

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DOT Raises Fines for Regulation Violations

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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 […]

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Hydrogen for Trucks Act Discussed in Congress

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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 […]

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Texas Judge Reinstates Trump-Era Independent Contractor Status

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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 […]

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EPA Considers New Emission Standards for Big Rigs

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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 […]

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FMCSA_Extends_COVID19_Declaration_to_June_1st

FMCSA Extends COVID-19 Declaration to June 1st

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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 […]

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Florida_Issues_State_of_Emergency_in_Regards_to_Cold_Snap

Florida Issues State of Emergency in Regards to Cold Snap

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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 […]

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Canadian Truckers Rally “Freedom Convoy” Against Mandated Vaccinations

Canadian Truckers Rally “Freedom Convoy” Against Mandated Vaccinations

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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 […]

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Entry-Level Driver Training: 10 Things You Need to Know

Entry-Level Driver Training: 10 Things You Need to Know

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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 […]

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$5.3 Billion Allocated for Nation’s Bridges This Year

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Infrastructure spending is perhaps the one form of government spending that all aisles can agree to. With billions upon billions of people and items needing to travel from point A to point B, infrastructure investment certainly pays dividends. Now, the federal government is allocating tons of money for bridges, in what the United States Department […]

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Robin-Hutcheson

Robin Hutcheson to Become New FMCSA Acting Administrator

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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 […]

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Canada_to_Reject_Unvaccinated_Truckers

Canada to Reject Unvaccinated Truckers

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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 […]

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Supreme_Court_Rules_Against_Vaccine_Mandate

Supreme Court Rules Against Vaccine Mandate

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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 […]

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TopMark Funding’s Year in Review 2021

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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 […]

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Sixth Circuit Reinstates Vaccine Mandate

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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 […]

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Vaccine_Mandate_Threatens_USCanada_Commerce

Vaccine Mandates Threaten US-Canada Commerce

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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 […]

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FMCSA_Grants_Exemption_to_Canadian_Drivers_Due_to_Flooding

FMCSA Grants Exemption to Canadian Drivers Due to Flooding

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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 […]

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OOIDA Writes to Buttigieg About Truck Parking

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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 […]

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FMCSA Extends COVID-19 Declaration Another Three Months

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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 […]

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Rear_Guardrails_Added_to_Annual_Inspection

Rear Guardrails Added to Annual Inspection

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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 […]

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Fifth Circuit Stops Vaccine Mandate, for Now

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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 […]

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Pete Buttigieg Breaks Silence on Port Backlog

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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 […]

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ATA_Reports_Trucker_Shortage_80000_Strong

ATA Reports Trucker Shortage 80,000 Strong

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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 […]

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Unified Carrier Registration: What You Need to Know

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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 […]

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New FMCSA Clearinghouse Requirement Starts November 8th

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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. […]

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Biden_Administration_Considers_Defense_Production_Act

Biden Administration Considers Defense Production Act

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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, […]

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Will_a_Vaccine_Mandate_Upend_the_Trucking_Industry

Will a Vaccine Mandate Upend the Trucking Industry?

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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 […]

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Trucking_Industry_Shows_Disdain_to_Biden_Vaccine_Requirement

Trucking Industry Shows Disdain to Biden Vaccine Requirement

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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 […]

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More_States_Claim_Hurricane_Ida_Emergency

More States Claim Hurricane Ida Emergency

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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 […]

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New York Declares Emergency for Tropical Storm Henri

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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 […]

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Biden Signs Executive Order on Truck Emissions

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On August 5th, Joseph Robinette Biden Junior signed “Executive Order on Strengthening American Leadership in Clean Cars and Trucks.“ It instructs various entities within the executive branch such as the Department of Transportation and Environmental Protection Agency to work towards better emission standards on all vehicles, especially heavy-duty trucks and their engines.The Executive Order has […]

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I40_Bridge_Reopened_for_Public_Use

I-40 Bridge Reopened for Public Use

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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 […]

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Joe Biden Speaks at Mack Trucks Plant

Joe Biden Speaks at Mack Trucks Plant

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On Wednesday, July 28th, Joe Biden flew into Pennsylvania to check out the Mack Trucks Plant in Lehigh Valley. While there he gave an approximately 30-minute speech. Things he discussed included: Creating 600,000 jobs per month since he was in office. The importance of the COVID-19 vaccine. The importance of the United States government buying […]

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Minneapolis_Unique_Solution_to_the_Parking_Crisis

Minneapolis’ Unique Solution to the Parking Crisis

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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 […]

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Regulation Leaders Meet to Discuss Trucking Employment

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On Thursday July 8th, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, and Deputy Administrator Meera Joshi of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) hosted a roundtable to discuss trucking employment. Trucking Employment: Retention Versus Recruitment The “shortage” (the economic law of supply and demand impacting market rates and therefore carriers paying a premium […]

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HoursofService_Suspended_for_Hurricane_Elsa

Hours-of-Service Suspended for Hurricane Elsa

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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 […]

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ARDOT_Mitigates_I40_Closure

ARDOT Mitigates I-40 Bridge Closure

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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 […]

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FMCSA_Extends_HoursofService_Exemption_to_August_31st

Hours-of-Service Exemption Extended to August 31st

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Another quarter, another announcement regarding the pandemic. The FMCSA has announced another extension to the hours-of-service (HOS) exemption for the hauling of goods related to the coronavirus state of emergency. Details The declaration can be read in its entirety via the FMCSA’s website. It follows the standard procedure for the exemption, with no modifications or […]

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DOT_Allows_Overweight_Hauling_of_Fuels

DOT Allows Overweight Hauling of Fuels

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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 […]

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Department_of_Labor_Changes_Direction_on_Sleeper_Berth_Pay

Department of Labor Changes Direction on Sleeper Berth Pay

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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 […]

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Biden_Reverses_Trump's_Executive_Order_13801

Biden Reverses Trump’s Executive Order 13801

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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 […]

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Meera_Joshi

Meera Joshi to Become FMCSA Deputy Administrator

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If you have been following the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) news for a while now, three names might ring as familiar: Raymond Martinez, Jim Mullen, and Wiley Deck. These three were the deputy administrators of the FMCSA during the Trump Administration, for varying amounts of time. With the transition to the Biden Administration, […]

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Bidens_First_100_Days_and_How_it_May_Affect_Trucking

Biden’s First 100 Days and How it May Affect Trucking

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A few days after election day, we were hesitant to officially call for Biden’s election victory due to numerous fraud allegations and lawsuits for the time between election day and inauguration day. But, all of that is behind the country and by the time you read this, Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. should be sworn in […]

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DOT_Secretary_Elaine_Chao_Announces_Resignation

DOT Secretary Elaine Chao Announces Resignation

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Secretary of the Department of Transportation Elaine Chao has announced that she will be resigning from her position, effective January 11th. This marks the end of the second-longest cabinet holding behind Mike Pence himself: Elaine Chao started January 31st, 2016. Details Elaine Chao cites the storming of the U.S. Capitol as her reason for not […]

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TopMark_Fundings_Top_12_Trucking_Articles_of_2020

TopMark Funding’s Top 12 Trucking Articles of 2020

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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 […]

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Truckers_on_High_Priority_List_for_COVID19_Vaccines

Truckers on High Priority List for COVID-19 Vaccines

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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 […]

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Renewable Natural Gas Trucks Break Through Zero Emissions Barrier

Renewable Natural Gas Trucks Break Through Zero Emissions Barrier

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Savvy readers of our articles may recall from late June that we wrote about Hyliion and their plans for the Hypertruck. Hyliion hoped to have their Hypertruck be negative emissions through the use of renewable natural gas (RNG). While the Hypertruck is not released yet, there is tangible proof now that their goal is attainable.Driving […]

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AB5_Truckers_Are_Down_but_not_out

AB-5: Truckers Are Down, but not Out

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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 […]

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FMCSA_to_Condusct_Anonymous_Opinion_Surveys

FMCSA to Conduct Autonomous Truck Opinion Surveys

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Unless all the election news has pushed older information out of your brain, you may remember that the FMCSA spoke at an ATA virtual conference about many topics, one of which was working to make self-driving commercial vehicles as safe as possible. But beyond safety, there are many more uncertainties to autonomous trucks. Will they […]

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Brokers and Small Carriers Butt Heads, with FMCSA Referee

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On October 28th, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration held another virtual conference, this time regarding broker regulations. In attendance were representatives from the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA), Owner-Operator Independent Driver Association (OOIDA), and the Small Business in Transportation Coalition (SBTC). As you can imagine, the TIA wants fewer regulations, and the OOIDA and SBTC […]

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FMCSA Speaks at Virtual Conference

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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 […]

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Department of Labor to Clarify Independent Contractor Status

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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 […]

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FMCSA Extends Other Exemptions Until 2021

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If you have been following the news regarding the coronavirus pandemic, you may remember two things:The hours-of-service exemption was extended until the end of 2020.Other exemptions, such as the CDL renewal, CPL renewal, and medical certification renewal, were provided.On September 18th, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) combined the two and made it so […]

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FMCSA Denies Longer Hours-of-Service for Self-Driving Tech

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In late April 2020, a tech company by the name of Pronto.ai petitioned the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, asking that its motor carrier customers get an additional two hours of driving each day thanks to the driving assistance their technology provides. You can probably tell from the title of this article where that petition […]

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When Is it Time to Swap a Truck?

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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 […]

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FMCSA Announces New Committee Through MCSAC

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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 […]

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FMCSA Changes Hours-of-Service Soon: What to Know

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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 […]

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Proposed Hours-of-Service Revisions Taken to Court

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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 […]

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COVID-19 State of Emergency Extended to End of Year

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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 […]

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FMCSA Proposes Under-21 Pilot Program

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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 […]

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California AB-5 Law Hits 9th Circuit of Appeals

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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 […]

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Will New CARB Regulations Save the Environment?

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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 […]

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FMCSA Opens Feedback on Broker Transparency Petition

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Three months ago, the Owner-Operator Independent Driver Association (OOIDA) petitioned the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), requesting new regulations and/or increased enforcement of current ones. Now, the FMCSA is opening comments to the public allowing them to submit their thoughts. The Story So Far Current rules state that records of brokered transactions must be […]

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Coronavirus State of Emergency Extended to September

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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 […]

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CVSA International Roadcheck Starts September 9th

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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 […]

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FMCSA Needs to Do its Part for ELD Mandate

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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 […]

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Payroll Protection Program Protects Truckers

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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 […]

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FMCSA to Check Potential Broker Transparency Violations

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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 […]

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FMCSA Extends CLP Training Workaround

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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 […]

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FMCSA Extends Pandemic License Relief

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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 […]

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FMCSA Lengthens Drug Testing Window for Hiring

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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 […]

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House Democrats Introduce INVEST in America Act

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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 […]

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Nikola Motor Company Goes Public: Stock for Sale

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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 […]

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OOIDA Petitions FMCSA for Broker Transparency

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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 […]

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FMCSA Announces Hours-of-Service Final Rule

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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 […]

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FMCSA Extends HOS Suspension Another Month

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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 […]

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FMCSA Extends Hours of Service Relief Declaration

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The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Wednesday, April 8 extended its national emergency declaration to May 15. Originally enacted March 13, the declaration provides relief from hours of service regulations for drivers responding to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. The original declaration was to expire Sunday, April 12. The agency said the extension also covers liquefied gases to […]

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Truck Dealers Seek “Essential Status”

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On March 23rd, a coalition of automotive dealers, including the American Truck Dealers (ATD), sent a letter to President Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, Cabinet members, and the Governors of all fifty states asking for “essential status” for dealerships in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.The Letter to the GovernmentThe letter outlines the coalition between […]

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FMCSA Expands Its COVID-19 Response

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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 […]

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FMCSA Declares National Emergency in Response to COVID-19

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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 […]

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HOS Reform Sent to White House, Few Know What It Entails

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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 […]

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Truckers Need Sleep

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It is common knowledge no matter what vehicle you drive that driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs is a massive safety hazard that can result in injury or death. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has even established the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, a database of such violations to discourage the practice. […]

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FMCSA Lowers Annual Registration Fees

FMCSA Lowers Annual Registration Fees

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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 […]

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FMCSA Delays Entry-Level Driver Training Rule

FMCSA Delays Entry-Level Driver Training Rule

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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? […]

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The USMCA and how it Affects Truckers

The USMCA and How it Affects Truckers

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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 […]

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FMCSA is Announcing a Proposed Rule Changes

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Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Publishes Hours of Service Proposal to Improve Safety and Increase Flexibility for Commercial Drivers WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) today published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on changes to hours of service (HOS) rules to increase safety on America’s roadways by […]

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