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.
Worker petitions gain steam as driver and warehouse worker concerns about safety and financial impacts of COVID-19 intensify
A new front has opened up in the battle over AB5 as both sides use the COVID-19 pandemic to bolster their positions on the controversial labor law
Blocking cars from Louisiana and the Northeast, but not on I-75.
Three-month waiver helps clear path towards CDL for learner’s permit holders.
Fertilizer, food packaging, feed products now covered following industry requests.
Congress expected to approve package that could help avoid permanent shutdowns
DMV closures causing loss of estimated 25,000 to 45,000 new drivers per month
Operation Safe Driver and Brake Safety weeks are both still on.
Directive from Transport Canada has similarities to the U.S. HOS waiver — but with more rules, including a requirement for carriers to provide notice in advance.
Company sees some degree of leniency on the road.
Waiver is valid for CDL and CLP holders through June 30.
Idle equipment can be placed in service to respond to COVID-19 emergency.
COVID-19 priorities may require “non-emergency” waiver for drivers and carriers.
Relaxing of driver work restrictions provides breathing room to handle volume surge.
Paper, plastic, other commodities now exempted for COVID-19 response.
DMV flexibility, coronavirus testing among requests as potential for supply chain disruption grows.
Exemption needed to protect against COVID-19-related fuel shortages, groups assert.
Carriers subcontracting with feds may have access to delivery extensions.
FMCSA order sparks confusion over what is considered emergency relief.
The waiver will run through April 12 or the end of the emergency, whichever is first
Federal agency would be following in the steps of several states that have already granted such exceptions.
Agency is working to reschedule the all-day event that had been planned for March 19.
Move is next step in group’s fight against “unconstitutional” regime.
Directive follows unsuccessful legislative efforts to pass cap-and-trade bill
“The reality is that neither major political party has been particularly good for small-business truckers for a long time.”
CDL verification back on track after connection problems resolved.
Grant awards to be used to build new spaces or convert weigh stations.
With 60,000-plus members, Timber Unity seeks to quash greenhouse gas emissions regulations.
State’s monthly toll collections from trucks now exceeding $1.5 million.
Group claims full-query requirement adding “millions of dollars” in production costs.
At TCA meeting, agency administrator says FMCSA will need help acting on reports of cheating.
The Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse has been active for nearly two months now, but many carriers and drivers remain confused on what steps they must take to comply.
Darren Prokop writes about California’s AB 5 and its impact in California – and nationwide.
Making the 30-minute rest break more flexible is one of the proposed changes.
Company seeks stay from federal court while it considers Supreme Court appeal.
Followup training would be aimed at increasing driver ranks.
Trucking Alliance-backed analysis supports group’s push for federal testing changes.
Trucking companies advised to assess how new standard applies to workforce contracts.
In a replay of last year’s drama over climate change legislation, Republicans in the Oregon Senate staged a walkout Monday morning to slow a Democratic bill to cap greenhouse gas […]
Carrier asserts current CDL requirement “creates a strain” on its operations.
Winter weather can have a major impact on freight movement. Read meteoroligist Nick Austin’s article about winter weather conditions.
Transporting legal marijuana and related products remains difficult. Learn why in this article.
States urged to provide special documentation for drivers.
FMCSA confirms more than 650,000 registrants in last seven weeks.
Plus: The Urban Freight Lab does it again
A plan to toll trucks in Connecticut appears to be off the table after Gov. Ned Lamont told Senate Democrats on Wednesday he had lost faith in their ability to […]
$54.6 million in back wages at stake for drivers in California.
Drivers looking to improve safety and avoid legal pitfalls must thoroughly understand Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules.
Executive order establishes national policy to safeguard positioning and navigation services.
A 14.45% cut from the 2018 fee level is being made to account for excess funds.
Proposal includes discretionary grants for truck parking.
Shutdown of Trusted Traveler Program in New York state could slow trade moving to and from Canada.
Jeremy Reymer, founder of DriverReach, said 90% of truck drivers applying for jobs have not registered in the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, a step that is required for any driver looking for a job.
Titan Freight Systems president says regulation is necessary to accelerate transition to clean fuel vehicles.
PRO Act’s provisions mirror California law upending independent contractor status.
Protest comes a week after Nike and other Portland businesses signed a letter supporting the climate legislation.
Proposal would create competitive grant program for projects that add capacity.
The Protect App-based Driver & Services Act seeks to exempt app-based drivers from the state labor law while providing benefits and safety protections.
Opposition from safety advocates could mean rough road to inclusion in highway bill.
Companies may be creating unnecessary risk in their operations if they have an out-of-date policy and procedure manual, or worse, aren’t following it.
The proposal is part of a 10-year, $19.4 billion infrastructure plan to improve roads, bridges, airports, rail and bus service.
Raising tax by 15 cents a gallon is needed before transitioning to mileage-based fee, according to lobbying group.
Agency confirms it will credit ‘query’ balances in certain cases.
Substantial point-of-sale incentives are available through a new voucher program funded by cap-and-trade fees.
California owner-operators argue their livelihoods are at stake under new labor law.
CVTA vows to push FMCSA for earlier implementation.
Funding likely to remain elusive for proposal that focuses on zero-carbon initiatives.
A proposed sustainable fuel mandate in Washington state highlights a divide in the transportation industry over regulations aimed at reducing carbon emissions.
Owner-operator group calls decision “highway robbery.”
Parcel drivers join long-haul colleagues in training to bolster community safety.
A video of President Trump telling associates to “get rid of” Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch includes unrelated chat about self-driving vehicles.
Starting this month, the California Department of Motor Vehicles will only register vehicles that comply with emissions regulations.
Labor department’s ‘newfound powers’ means new hazards for companies that use independent contractors.
Justice Department asserts separation will preserve competition in North America.
Walmart argues that jury took things too literally in awarding back pay to California drivers
Staffing agencies lease drivers to fleets stymied by employment regulations.
Agency recommends repeating queries to ensure compliance.
Difficulty communicating instructions while in the cab cited as safety risk.
Presidential candidate’s Clean Transportation Plan calls for 15% of new trucks to be pollution-free by 2030.
Commercial liability insurance rates continue to spiral, with costs passed through to businesses and consumers. A primary culprit is a corrupt personal injury legal system where attorneys drive medical care. It’s time to change that.
A new cap-and-trade carbon emissions bill unveiled in Oregon last week continues to draw criticism from the trucking industry that helped derail similar legislation last year. “If you look at […]
Trucking insurance premiums have skyrocketed in recent years, driven by nuclear verdicts, but instead of complaining, trucking companies should take steps to stop incidents from happening.
Truck manufacturers claim improved aerodynamics could save a driver up to 400 gallons of fuel a year.
New agency programs require wireless capacity that FCC wants to reallocate
First survey since 2003 will help inform autonomous vehicle development.
Advocacy groups differ on effectiveness of public and private financing to meet high demand.
Moreno Valley ignored environmental regulations when it greenlighted construction of the World Logistics Center, one of the largest complexes in the country.
Seth Holm of FreightWaves Freight Intel Group writes about the impact of nuclear verdicts on the trucking industry. Will 2020 be a tipping point for these huge awards?
Happy top of the weekend! Thanks for making us a part of the backhaul of your week, and boy do we have some news for you. First, we hit the […]
Legal battle in California is pulling trucking in different directions
Buttigieg proposal part of candidate’s $1 trillion infrastructure plan.
A number of readers responded to Brian Aoaeh’s 12/26/19 “Commentary: Trucking industry observations heading into 2020.” His current commentary features some of those responses and information from Anthony Campo, a trucking industry veteran.
Road, rail, port environmental permits to be completed in two years.
This time it’s a state court that says the FAAAA act blocks AB5 from regulating trucking employment
U.S. DOT Secretary Elaine Chao touts agency collaboration and leadership in AV research and development.
The “New Year’s Eve surprise” may have been a first step toward getting the California trucking industry out from under the AB5 legislation that will have serious consequences for the […]
Employers allowed to continue driver hires while agency corrects connection issues.
Initiative will consider strategies to cut ozone emissions by 2027.
The wording in the temporary injunction blocking enforcement of AB5 in trucking leads plaintiffs to think they’ll win the entire battle.
Sources confirm shutdowns and delays on system’s opening day.
