AUTODECO 33Pcs Car Wash Detailing Kit Cleaning Kits with Foam Gun Sprayer Brush Large Wash Mitt Towels Complete Interior Exterior Car Washing Supply Set Blue. Buy now. #ad
BELTTT 1500W Pure Sine Wave Inverter 12V to 120V AC, Power for Truck, Solar, Off-Grid with Dual AC Socket, 5V 2.1A USB, Surge 3000W, Connect to Battery With Cables. 4.4 Star Rating. Buy Now #ad
Trucker Accessories Recommended to Help You Save Money.
Hurdlr: Automatic Business Expense and Mileage Tracker. Attention O-Os: Hurdlr automatically tracks all of your mileage, expenses, income streams, and tax deductions in real-time. Get started now.
Get 35+ FREE downloads for truckers now! Get links to everything from a spending diary to a beginner budget; from 3 packing lists to 2 to-do checklists; and MUCH MORE!
Invest in real estate (Roots: REIT). Get started with only $100. 17.2% annual average returns (7/1/21 - 5/6/25). Increase passive income, save for retirement. Referred by Investor ID 52797.
DEWALT 20V MAX Power Tool Combo Kit, 10-Tool Cordless Power Tool Set with 2 Batteries and Charger, 4.7 out of 5 stars, 3K+ bought in past month, Limited time deal, $599.00 with 43 percent savings, List Price: $1,049.00. Buy now. #ad
Men's Winter Military Casual Jacket with Removable Hood Warm fleece lining, functional pockets, windproof collar, high density fabric, chest pocket, heavy duty brass zipper, ribbed cuff. Small to 4XL. Buy now. #ad
Presto Kitchen Kettle Multi-Cooker/Steamer. Cook, steam, and roast many foods. Fully immersible. Heat control. Steamer/fryer basket. 1200 watts. Tempered glass cover. This is the exact unit Vicki bought, uses, and recommends. #ad Buy Now!
Get an expert health insurance broker to 'shop for you' when it comes to your health insurance needs. (Must be based in USA.)

TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2025.06.21

TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2025.06.21 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending June 21, 2025, written by Vicki Simons.

I welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.

TDMST Weekly Round-Up

1. Regarding inspections, securement, and superloads:

Inspections

While there are targeted inspections that take place at specific places during specific times — that may be known in advance — a truck inspection can take place at just about any time in even temporary locations.

DAT TruckersEdge - Most Loads. Best Rates. Serving Owner-Operators Since 1978. 10% off your first 12 months. New customers only.

If you keep yourself and your rig in perpetual readiness for an inspection, you’ll never be caught off-guard.

Failing an inspection — and getting repairs/adjustments made on the spot — can be expensive!

See proof here:
Money Down the Drain During CVSA Brake Inspection.

Securement

Failing to secure a load on or in a trailer can lead to a great deal of property damage and even loss of life!

If you have not been trained on how to properly secure a load — ranging from a container being attached to a chassis to rolls loaded on a flatbed and beyond — the time to learn is before you even arrive at the shipper’s location!

You will need to have the tools and equipment needed to secure your load ahead of time.

This may involve having:

  • the right kind of trailer (such as flatbed with a header board);
  • a buck bar, straps, or chains for a flatbed trailer;
  • load locks inside a dry van or refrigerated trailer;
  • and more/other.

In a truckers’ group on Facebook, I recently saw a photo of what was left of a tractor into which a roll that had been on the flatbed — without a header board — had smashed into the back of the tractor that had suddenly stopped.

I have no idea if the trucker that had been driving that tractor even lived!

This is a very serious matter and you may not get a second chance to get things right!

For more on this, please see:

Cut Off Trucker Slams On Truck Brakes; Load Shifts

Superloads

A “superload” is one that is bigger than a standard load.

Extra precautions are needed before hauling a superload, including:

  • the need for the correct permit(s),
  • a designated route, and
  • perhaps a pilot vehicle in front.

Make sure all needed requirements are in place ahead of time.

2. Regarding Alabama, California, Canada, Florida, and Red Seal:

Alabama

According to the third article in this section:

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Driver License Division recently announced two major updates impacting commercial driver license holders and applicants across the state. …

Mandatory electronic submission of DOT medical certifications starts June 23. …

Modernized CDL Skills Test Begins July 1, including Vehicle Inspection (VI) and Basic Control Skills (BCS).

Please note that these changes appear to have a much wider scope than just the state of Alabama.

California

Canada

Florida

According to the fourth article in this section:

…if you’re wondering why some semi-truck drivers today don’t seem very skilled and may not even speak English, wonder no more. Because, it has been revealed, some Florida officials were giving illegal aliens commercial driver’s licenses in exchange for bribes.

A quote in the article revealed that Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford said, “These were intentional acts of corruption where individuals paid bribes in exchange for skipping critical safety evaluations. … Putting untested, unqualified drivers, especially those with commercial licenses, on our roads is an unacceptable risk to every family in this state.”

I’m glad that this scheme, scam, and bribery operation has been shut down, but the article indicates that problems like this may be more pervasive and can lead to numerous problems!

Red Seal

See the glossary on this site to learn more about what a “Red Seal” is.

3. Regarding autonomous vehicles, fuel, idling, and oil:

Autonomous vehicles

I completely oppose the operation of self-driving, driverless, or autonomous commercial motor vehicles on the same roads as the motoring public — but I share articles on this topic with our readers to help us stay current on the topic.

Fuel

Idling

Please feel free to look at the 9-post section on this site associated with idling.

Truck Idling: Need, Problems, Cost and Alternatives Overview

According to the article in this section:

[New York City] introduced the Citizens Air Complaint Program a few years back. This program allows citizens to report idling semi trucks and keep 25% of the fines issued to the drivers. These fines typically range from $350 to $600.

While I understand the necessity of truckers “obeying the law” when it comes to idling, earning money by reporting truckers supposedly in violation of the law seems to be downright predatory in nature!

This quote shows the double-edged sword:

Concerned citizens and lawmakers call the semi truck and delivery truck idling “a public health issue,” and applaud those who report drivers, but truckers and their advocates say the program is a form of abuse towards a profession that is necessary for the city to operate.

What are your thoughts on this?

Please share through the form below.

Oil

4. Regarding bankruptcy, border, business, and insurance:

Bankruptcy

Border

Business

Insurance

5. Regarding big front grills, crashes, drugs, fatalities, fraud, scams, theft, and violence:

Big front grills

Crashes

Please look through these articles to see if there is anything you can learn to help you prevent being involved in a similar crash.

Drugs

Never ever haul or take illegal drugs.

Fatalities

I express my deep sympathy — and offer my condolences — to the families of those whose loved ones died in these crashes.

Can you learn anything from the articles below that would help prevent being involved in a fatal large truck crash?

Fraud

Never attempt to deceive, misrepresent something, intentionally pervert the truth, or pretend to be someone else for the purpose of trying to get something valuable.

Scams

Be on your guard against scams of all kinds.

Theft

Never take something that doesn’t belong to you unless you have permission from the owner.

With as much surveillance equipment as is in place in the 21st century, it’s only a matter of time before the thieves are apprehended.

Violence

It is never right to perpetrate violence upon someone in an unprovoked manner.

All perpetrators of violence must be dealt with in a just legal manner.

6. Regarding CSA, DAT, DEF, and DHL Express Canada:

CSA

DAT

DEF

According to the article in this section:

DEF has a limited shelf life [typically … about 12 months under optimal conditions], and using expired product can lead to performance issues or even damage to the emissions system.

Some excellent tips are listed in the article.

DHL Express Canada

7. Regarding congestion pricing, economy, employment, pay, tariffs, taxes, and trade:

Congestion pricing

Economy

Employment

Pay

Tariffs

Taxes

Trade

8. Regarding language, legal, politics, ports, and regulations:

Language

The third article in this section quotes U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, as saying:

“Common sense would tell us that anyone driving on American roads, especially those operating large trucks and trailers, should be capable of understanding what the road signs say or how to communicate with police” …

See also the section entitled “Florida” above.

Legal

Politics

Ports

Regulations

Please see the section above about Alabama, too.

9. Regarding maintenance, repairs, safety, and tires:

Maintenance

Repairs

Safety

Tires

10. Regarding parking, roads, towing, and truck stops:

Parking

Roads

The first two articles in this section cover news about a tanker crash that happened less than 10 miles from where I live!

As it turned out, around 4 a.m. on Saturday, June 14, a vehicle struck the back of a gasoline tanker, causing an explosion that led to the collapse of a pair of bridges that stretched across I-20 in Aiken County, South Carolina.

I have many questions that have not been answered.

I would like to know how fast that other vehicle was going such that the collision led to the explosion!

Articles from the local newspaper on this topic can be found through the results from this search.

Towing

Truck stops

11. Regarding technology, truckers, and weather:

Technology

Truckers

Weather

12. Regarding America’s Road Team, awards, and recognition:

America’s Road Team

According to the first article in this section:

“For nearly four decades, America’s Road Team has set the gold standard in promoting safety and professionalism on our highways,” said Chris Spear, ATA president, CEO. “As we begin the process of selecting a new class of captains, we’re looking for drivers who not only demonstrate excellence behind the wheel but also have a passion for telling our industry’s story and inspiring the next generation of trucking professionals.”

If you know of a trucker who exemplifies these qualities, please suggest him/her to the ATA.

Awards

Congratulations to all professional truck drivers who have demonstrated skill and have achieved safe driving records!

Recognition

I recognize those who helped out their fellow human beings in a time of need, be those people truckers helping others or others helping truckers.

I wish you — and all professional truck drivers — safe travels and lots of money saving opportunities on the road.






Return from TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2025.06.21 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.


Portable Solar Charger Power Bank, 63200mAh, Dual Outputs & Dual Inputs, Charge via USB, Solar, or Hand Crank, 4 LEDs Flashlight, Fast Charging Battery Pack, for Truckers, Outdoor Camping, Survival Gear. This is the exact unit Vicki bought, uses, and recommends. Buy Now. #ad