Stay Up to Date on Trucking Industry Laws & Regulations
Trucking regulations are determined by several government agencies in the United States. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the lead agency responsible for trucking laws, regulating and providing safety oversight of commercial motor vehicles (including over 500,000 commercial trucking companies. The FMCSA’s mission is to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities involving large trucks and buses.
There’s also the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), which supports state and local governments in the design, construction and maintenance of the country’s highway system. FHWA programs include the Federal-Aid Highway Program and the Federal Lands Highway Program.
Other agencies involved in transportation regulations include the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), and the Maritime Administration (MARAD).
Find more news and information on our Trucking Industry page.
FMCSA head advises firms to get a move on in shift from AOBRD to ELD. Ford enters healthcare transport market; Indian-Americans make a lot of money
Ray Martinez said truck users will benefit from better data from CSA scores to make carrier selections i
The U.S. and China habve agreed to resume trade talks, a break in the nearly 2-month stalemate which has affected trade flows and spawned uncertainty among businesses
Agency wants to reduce time and costs for driving schools and applicants
The American Trucking Associations will steer clear of the fight over longer-combination vehicles
Provision in Coast Guard bill tightens foreign-ship waiver process
Amendment would hinder LNG export plans by New Fortress Energy
Federal transport spending bill by Election Day? Forget it, former DOT secretary says
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will boost trade between African partner states by removing tariffs. This helps the U.S. improve trade relations as it takes out the need to draft separate trade agreements with individual African states.
Smoking crystal meth directly led to a fatal crash that killed two truckers; meanwhile, dead kangaroos, speeding, and dodgy crane operators feature in two labor-law hearings in Australia
The implementation of precision scheduled railroading has contributed to dwindling morale and could result in creating unsafe working conditions should the federal government withhold intervention, according to union witnesses at a June 20th Congressional hearing on rail safety.
The FreightWaves radio team of John Kingston & Chad Prevost will also be discussing the status of the trucking market. Three chances to listen in!
Changing harbor tax could help smaller ports compete with trucks
The United States has been ranked number 43 in the official list that ranks the quality of shipping, owing to the less-than-optimal performance of U.S. flagged ships in overseas ports. The U.S. ranks right behind Saudi Arabia and just ahead of Libya on the Grey List, which is a ranking of less-than-the-best flag states.
Ray Martinez concedes finding enough drivers aged 18-20 with military experience could be difficult.
Texas makes mail and parcel theft a criminal offense, allowing local law enforcement to prosecute cases rather than turn them over to the Feds
LTL giant claims new requirements would also add costs to its in-house driver training.
State-by-state benefits of raising gas tax included in White House letter.
Electric vehicle adoption is constricted by high vehicle sticker price, long charging cycles and limited range. Solving these issues is key.
BP imagines a scenario where a plastics ban crushes demand for petchem feedstocks.
White House receives guidelines but DOT, FMCSA still must sign off.
Donald Broughton explains the harm that tariffs can do to the economies of the United States, the country(ies) that tariffs are imposed on and the global economy.
New Fortress Energy wants LNG transport efficiency using tank cars
Capitol Hill hearing took on lease-purchase agreements, truck size and weights
North Dakota has no restricted air spaces, a favorable climate for testing drones, and a government that is keen on growing its UAS industry.
The Trucking Alliance urges action on federal hair-testing guidelines
Supply chains are forced to contend with risks involving border skirmishes, trade wars and embargoes, with even climate change having a bearing on its fortunes.
Incentive to get safety advocates, Congress on board
FMCSA wants to fill “critical data gap” on loading dock wait times
Experts say Aussie trucks should be widened a tiny amount… but officials ain’t listening. Also: truck driver funding; fatigue; drugged drivers.
Not all independent truckers are seeing those benefits
Fleets will not be able to register noncompliant trucks with the DMV.
Market expert Henry Byers examines the U.S.-Chinese trade war and its impact on imports and the broader economy.
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a case again about whether Amtrak can have a role in crafting the on-time performance metrics and standards for the freight railroads. The Court’s June 3 action paves the way for Amtrak and the Federal Railroad Administration to finish establishing those metrics and standards.
House committee urges “national strategy” to address the issue
Airlines will have 10 days to replace slats in 737 MAX and 737 NG aircraft
Third-party logistics providers will see their growth dented by the threatened tariffs on Mexican imports. The question is by how much?
Blockchain can help expedite customs procedures, reduce expenses and boost both global trade volumes and economic output.
The industry notched at least two big wins this past week.
Autonomous vehicles can be commercially deployed only after it convincingly addresses public and government concerns on safety and reliability.
Government agency Transport Canada has released a proposed regulation requiring the use of video and voice recorders in locomotive cabs of freight trains operating in Canada.
Hackers also recently attempted to disrupt vessel computer systems.
Transport ministers from 60 countries met at Leipzig to discuss strategies and the implication of global carbon emissions.
The Federal Railroad Administration is withdrawing its notice of proposed rulemaking for train crew staffing. Regulating train crew staffing is not necessary or appropriate for rail operations to be conducted safely, the agency said.
“The board has the authority to define reasonable practices. If you were in our shoes, what would you do?” said Surface Transportation Board vice chairman Patrick Fuchs to a panel representing BNSF, Canadian National and Canadian Pacific.
The highway and viaduct that now shoots truckers and others straight through the heart of Syracuse on interstate 81 might be no more under a plan making its way through […]
Measure also seeks to keep 30-minute rest break, ag hauler ELD exemption.
Regulators frustrated by carriers’ lack of candor in justifying service fees
FMCSA will look to avoid separate rules while addressing new technologies
Current International Maritime Organization policies are not sufficiently stringent to meet mounting climate change concerns.
Request follows FAA approval for Google drones in Virginia.
Today on WTT we take a deep dive into the Idaho Hemp Trucker fiasco with journalist, Linda Baker, CEO Jacob Findlay has some huge news concerning FullBay, McLeod announces two new products, plus all the latest headlines, Big Deal, Little Deal, and the very first Comment Section Rodeo!
All this and more now on WTT?!?
US Supreme Court denies petition by UPS to review US Postal Service’s accounting cost structure
Trucker union sides with most of proposal’s early comments.
The Sulfur Cap and a reduction in carbon emissions are high on the agenda for the International Maritime Organization in 2019.
What The Truck?!? is sending you into the weekend with all of the latest headlines and top stories from FreightWaves.com, as well as Earning Over / Under, On The Radar presented by SONAR, Fast Paced Forecast, and so much more. Let’s bang a little cowbell for the weekend and celebrate the launch of WTT?!?’s expansion to two episodes a week!
Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or your favorite pod player of choice.
To book a free a SONAR demo visit FreightWaves.com/SONAR
Top DOT official ranks HOS #1 on freight priority list.
Pressure is mounting to drop charges against three truckers accused of illegally hauling hemp across Idaho. “It’s absolutely horrific,” said Idaho Representative Ilana Rubel (D-Boise), a legislator who is working […]
Support for proposal split between large and small carriers.
The study leverages the treasure trove of data Uber and Lyft possess showing where and when people are traveling.
Big data and shifting consumer preferences will revolutionize freight transportation, according to Association of American Railroads panel.
A California federal court dismissed part of a class-action lawsuit against U.S. Xpress (NYSE: USX) that claimed the Chattanooga, Tennessee-based truckload carrier violated the state’s meal and rest break laws. […]
“Any attempt by the United States to reverse course on IMO 2020 could…potentially backfire on consumers.”
Ten-year waiver to move U.S. LNG to Puerto Rico is off the table – for now.
Shippers benefit as transportation rates expected to stay low.
No signs yet on agreement on how to pay for it.
Getting Trump to support raising the gas tax would be a major step toward passing an infrastructure bill.
Results of two audits could affect current quotas of glider truck kits.
Forty ships detained in 2018 as federal inspectors begin exposing U.S.-flag safety data.
ATA points out that the proposal, to be officially unveiled on Capitol Hill this week, makes several wrong assumptions.
A power play between local governments and state regulators threatens legal cannabis delivery in California.
D.C. to Baltimore in 15 minutes could help advance hyperloop technology for cargo.
GAO also recommends more research that could lead to side guard requirements.
Independent owner-operator group details how government clearinghouse will handle drug test results.
American Airlines has lengthened the grounding of its Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft through August 19. American joins other airlines in this action. What is Boeing doing to fix the aircraft, and what is the FAA doing from a regulatory perspective?
Another outbreak of salmonella poisoning has occurred – this one caused by tainted fruit. Read how blockchain could help deter and detect these outbreaks before they harm many.
Delays could extend to U.S.-Canada as customs personnel are relocated to deal with immigration on the southern border.
The grounding of all Boeing 737 MAX aircraft has caused many problems; it has also created an opportunity for freight forwarders. Read a market expert’s take on the situation.
President Trump’s executive order would create new transportation option for capacity-constrained LNG markets.
Hair follicle testing – once cleared for use in the federal database – could have the biggest effect on driver availability.
Chemical hazmat shipments figure prominently on newly created committee within U.S. Transportation Security Administration.
Washington Auto Show policy discussion reveals states moving on electric and automated vehicles as feds struggle to keep up.
Lobbying group considering more legislation and White House action to stop threat to U.S. rail system.
Association’s new ad campaign highlights dangers to consumers of not getting a highway bill funded this year.
U.S. and European freight railroads are very different in many respects. Market analyst Jim Blaze gives insights about how the two systems differ.
FedEx Freight, J.B. Hunt, Schneider National among companies with the most non-preventable accidents identified so far by FMCSA.
Big Apple’s traffic is rotten to the core thanks to rise of on-demand economy; congestion pricing may be cure, but uncertainties abound.
ARTBA estimates cost to repair or replace 235,000 bridges across the country at $171 billion.
Shipowners and marine insurers are asked to look at vessel locator data to avoid sanctions fines.
What makes a commodity and agricultural commodity? That is one question that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrations hopes to answer soon, it said, during a regulatory update session at the Mid-America Trucking Show.
Navistar’s Steve Gilligan discussed several technological opportunities for truck makers, including autonomous and electric trucks, during this week’s ACT Research conference.
The debate over how many crew members should operate a freight train is back in the spotlight again as federal and state officials push to mandate crew size for the freight railroads.
Flip a switch. Seems easy enough, but for those fleets that think that’s all they have to do with their ELD come December 16, 2019, they may quickly find their truck driver sitting idle, which is why now is the time to start the transition from a legacy AOBRD.
John Garamendi (D-CA) asserted energy exports are tied to US shipbuilding and national security.
World Shipping Council reigns in predictions of severe price spikes resulting from low-sulfur fuel regulation.
Heavy snow melt and rains have caused historic flooding in 16 states and the FMCSA has lifted certain regulations as a result.
“Our members consider the legislation a betrayal. They complied with the Truck and Bus rule and now face the specter of being told it’s not enough.”
ATA considering next steps in fight against “discriminatory” toll plan after judge rules that his court lacks jurisdiction.
The request by the Association of American Railroads (AAR) asking the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to include a cost-benefit analysis into its rulemaking process is being viewed by some as a positive step towards aligning STB procedure with other U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) agencies.
Industry lobbyists and research group present opposing views on whether the alliance structure of ocean carriers has worked.
