TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2025.09.06 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending September 6, 2025, written by Vicki Simons.
I welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding ELDs, holiday, immigration, and language:
ELDs
How many times will the FMCSA reject the use of certain ELDs after they once previously required only self-certification of the products?
Others within the trucking industry were speaking out against the Electronic Logging Devices “mandate” long before December 4, 2017, but you may read my commentary on the mandate.
In TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.12.09, I quoted Indiana’s Attorney General, Curtis Hill, regarding the self-certification provision regarding ELDs.
I also asked, “In what other industry besides trucking has the government ever mandated the purchase of a ‘self-certification’ product?“
So, I’m truly distressed for every trucker who invested in a “self-certified” ELD that used to be on the approved list, only to later have that certification revoked!
If you are such a trucker, I want to hear from you about how expensive this was for you.
- Check to see if yours is one of 3 ELDs now on FMCSA’s Revoked Devices list
- FMCSA adds 3 ELDs to revoked list
- FMCSA pulls three more ELDs from the approved list
- FMCSA Revokes Three ELDs, Removes From Registered List
- FMCSA revokes three ELDs, tells truckers to revert to paper logs
- FMCSA yanks 3 devices from registered ELD list
- Three more ELDs taken off FMCSA’s ‘registered devices’ list
Holiday
Yes, we’ve still in September, but some are already looking ahead at the Christmas/New Year holiday season.
Regarding the “Christmas rush,” back when my husband Mike and I were a professional truck driving team, there was a period of about 9 weeks leading up to Christmas when freight was very heavy.
A lot has changed since then, but please be aware of the potential issues associated with holiday travel and freight: Surviving the Pre-Christmas Freight Season.
Immigration
The fatal crash in Florida caused by an illegal alien who somehow managed to get a CDL has done more for the cause of cracking down on illegal immigration in the USA than any other trigger I’ve seen in recent days.
According to one summary:
The United States Code defines illegal immigration-related offenses within Title 8, with key sections including:
- 8 U.S. Code § 1324 – Bringing in and harboring certain aliens;
- 8 U.S. Code § 1325 – Improper entry by alien; and
- 8 U.S. Code § 1326 – Reentry of removed aliens.
Penalties range from fines and misdemeanor charges for improper entry to felony charges and significant prison sentences for illegal reentry or aiding and abetting smuggling.
It is past time for all immigration laws to be enforced in the USA and for trucking jobs in this country to go to true citizens.
- 475 Workers Detained in Hyundai Georgia Plant Raid
- Florida AG going after employer of illegal U-turn driver
- Labor raid at Hyundai plant sparks supply chain concerns in Georgia
- Sikh truck drivers say they are being targeted since the deadly u-turn crash in Florida
- Sikh truckers in the crossfire after deadly Florida crash
- Subpoenas issued for trucking company in fatal u-turn crash
Language
If you can’t read, write, and speak the language of a country, you shouldn’t be driving there. Period.
- Bill introduced to codify English proficiency for truck drivers
- Bill threatens to withhold federal funding from states that fail to uphold CDL residency requirements and English rules for truck drivers
- Lawmaker looks to codify English proficiency for truckers
- Rhode Island DMV assures public that their ELP policies are in full compliance with federal requirements
- Texas Governor orders ‘zero tolerance’ enforcement of FMCSA’s English language rules for all commercial vehicle drivers
- Texas steps up crackdown on truckers failing English tests
- Texas Transportation Code loophole to blame for significant number of drivers who don’t speak English, industry leaders say
- Truck drivers petition FMCSA for required ELP endorsement for CDL holders
- Trucker petitions DOT about English proficiency
- Why states let non-ELP drivers placed OOS go free
- ‘Zero tolerance’ for non-English-speaking truck drivers in Texas
2. Regarding border, business, cold chain, and leasing:
Border
- Borderlands Mexico: Mexican government unveils $540M industrial hub to lure investments
- Lawsuit by Mexican workers advances against U.S. logistics companies
- Truckers blockade Mexico’s Lázaro Cárdenas port over delays, poor conditions
Business
- “Truck to Success” with OOIDA’s new course
- OOIDA offers course for those who aspire to be owner-operators
- Understanding the Power of Total Cost of Ownership
- When Is It Time to Hang It Up — The Brutal Truth Every Trucking Company Owner Needs to Hear
Cold chain
- How Advanced Cold Chain Management Can Reduce Waste, Cut Costs and Support Compliance
- The cold chain goes airborne: A new era of expedited, temperature-controlled logistics
Leasing
You may wish to review this post:
Commercial Truck Leasing: Beware of Designed-to-Fail Schemes.
3. Regarding autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, fuel, fuel network, and hydrogen:
Autonomous vehicles
I oppose with every fiber of my being 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.
- Aurora, McLeod partner to integrate AVs into carrier operations
- Autonomous Trucks and the Myth of the 24/7 Supply Chain
- How Autonomous Trucks Could Cut Your Fleet’s Biggest Costs
- Will autonomous trucks replace drivers by 2027?
Electric vehicles
Before you buy an all-electric Commercial Motor Vehicle, please do your due diligence by asking some questions and getting answers.
- Electric truck maker ZM Trucks celebrates North American launch, opens factory
- Perspective: AI Will Drive the Future of Electric Vehicles
- What 4Gen Logistics Has Learned About Electric Trucks
- World EV Day: Why Electric Vehicles Are Gaining Ground in Commercial Trucking
Fuel
- Benchmark diesel price rises after five straight weeks of declines
- Bring on the biofuels: RINs can help carriers plot course to reduced emissions
- Cummins X15N drives spike in natural gas orders
- Diesel Prices May Climb Higher Into Harvest Season
- Diesel prices rise after weeks of declines
Fuel network
If you use this technology, please review it.
Hydrogen
This sounds exciting and promising.
I realize that there are costs involved in capturing, concentrating, and making hydrogen usable for fuel, but at least until the world burns up, we will never run out of it!
4. Regarding arson, bribery, crashes, drugs, fatalities, fraud, scam, and theft:
Arson
According to the FBI:
The FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program defines arson as any willful or malicious burning or attempting to burn, with or without intent to defraud, a dwelling house, public building, motor vehicle or aircraft, personal property of another, etc.
I have also just learned that there are 3 “degrees” of arson.
May all arsonists be caught and served justice!
- Michigan man faces more jail time for arsons of three Swift trailers
- Michigan man guilty of deliberately setting Swift Transportation semi trailers on fire in Arizona
Bribery
In my article The Foundation of South Carolina’s General Assembly & the Influence of Bribes Thereon, I listed a number of Scripture verses about why bribery is wrong.
- Man sentenced to prison for bribing Massachusetts troopers with iced tea and Swedish Fish in exchange for CDLs
- Several indicted for CDL bribery scheme
- Six indicted in CDL bribery scheme involving Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles workers
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.
- “Shoe or two” hucked at cars speeding by after tractor trailer crash leaves bags of clothing donations along roadway, police joke
- Big rig hauling lithium-ion batteries crashes on I-40 in Tennessee
- Chain-reaction crash caused by big rig on I-95 sends several to the hospital
- Crashes decrease, DUI arrests up in California over Labor Day weekend
- Multi-vehicle crash injures 17 and shuts down major interstate in East Texas
- Truck driver charged with leaving scene of Tennessee crash
Drugs
Never ever haul or take illegal drugs.
- $37 million in meth seized from commercial truck hauling aluminum burr
- CBP finds $13 million in meth in load of broccoli
- CBP intercepts big rig meth shipment in Texas
- DOT proposes to add fentanyl to drug testing panels
- Two Ontario truck drivers charged after CBSA seizes cocaine worth $43.7 million at border
- USDOT proposes adding fentanyl to existing truck driver drug testing program
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?
- A deadly truck crash in Florida has fueled an immigration fight. Here’s what to know
- Family of R&B singer killed in crash with semi truck suing trucking company + truck’s collision avoidance system manufacturer
- Fatal crash numbers down slightly in Georgia compared to last year
- Logging truck driver dead after second rig blows tire, veers into him
- New York police identify deceased truck driver who crashed into home
- Sign spinner dead after tractor trailer lands on him in crash with propane truck
- Two of three bodies now claimed weeks after fatal u-turn crash
- Two separate accidents on Ohio Turnpike kill 3 people
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.
- More states act on license plate flippers
- Six face charges for CDL testing fraud scheme
- Stolen Identity Leads to Fraud Charges for CDL holder
Scam
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.
In addition to the articles below, I just learned about a new robbery trend:
JUGGING: The New Ambush Robbery Trend You Need to Know About
Delving a little deeper, the Credit Union of Colorado provides this definition:
Bank jugging refers to a criminal act wherein perpetrators observe individuals withdrawing money from their bank or credit union and subsequently follow them to steal the cash.
Please be aware that this kind of scenario can take place at ATMs and anywhere else where people obtain cash, especially a lot of it.
If you pay lumpers in cash or carry a lot of cash in your truck (such as an emergency fund), please remain vigilant and safe.
- CargoNet Warns of ‘Dangerous’ Cargo Theft Risk Over Labor Day Weekend
- Florida law enforcement busts diesel theft ring
- Men arrested after unhitching trailer from parked semi truck and hauling it away in front of FL State Trooper
- Ten arrested for stealing over 185K gallons of diesel, reselling fuel at trucking yards for discount, Florida sheriff says
5. Regarding economy, employment, shortage, tariffs, tolls, trade, and user fee:
Economy
- ACT Research: August sees drop in preliminary Class 8 orders
- ATA Trends report reflects down year for industry
- ECONOMIC TRUCKING TRENDS: Class 8 orders remain weak, spot market rates rise
- Freight market frustrations
- Freight Market Showed Hopeful Signs in Q2
- FTR and ACT Report Weak August Class 8 Orders
- FTR: Preliminary Class 8 orders down 14% compared to August 2024
- Old Dominion sees tonnage slide further in August
- Saia, LTL carriers still waiting for cycle turn
- Transportation metrics sour in August
- Truckload demand jumps in front of Labor Day
- US Factory Activity Shrinks for Sixth Straight Month
- Used Truck Sales Are Up 29% — But New Entrants Aren’t The Ones Driving It
- White Paper: State of the Industry — September 2025
- XPO sees tonnage declines ease in August
Employment
- ConocoPhillips to Slash Up to 25% of Global Workforce
- Jobless Claims Rise to Highest Level Since June
- Leonard’s Express cuts driver turnover 15% with engagement
- Poll: When applying for a job, how important is it to know what type of freight you would be hauling?
- Small decline in truck transportation jobs in August, overall 5-month trend is stable
- Trump’s job market promises fall flat as hiring collapses and inflation ticks up
- Trump’s Manufacturing Revival Faces Sharp Job Losses
- US employers likely added a modest 80,000 jobs last month, a sign that the labor market has cooled
Shortage
The summary paragraph (what would ordinarily be a “subtitle”) of this article reads:
For decades, the trucking industry has recycled the same story—the so-called driver shortage. But the numbers don’t lie. The United States produces more than enough licensed drivers every year. What we really have is a retention problem and a system designed to burn people out. That false shortage narrative doesn’t just distract from fixing the job—it creates openings for fraud, weak training, and shortcuts that keep the cycle going.
Please read the article for details.
Tariffs
For a much better and more thorough explanation about the problems with Trump-issued tariffs, please search for the word “tariffs” in Peggy Hall’s Substack archive.
- Canada Launches $3.6 Billion Fund to Counter Tariff Damage
- Canada’s Exports Rise Despite Trump Tariffs
- Tariff Red Tape Hits Small Businesses Hardest
- Tariffs and Trade Woes Weigh on US Agriculture
- Trade Gap Hits 4-Month High as Firms Rush to Beat Tariffs
- Trump asks Supreme Court to save his global tariff policy
- Trump Asks Supreme Court to Save Sweeping Import Tariffs
- Trump Says India Offered Zero Tariffs on US Goods
- Trump Seeks Fast Supreme Court Action on Tariffs Case
- Trump Signs Order Finalizing Japan Tariff Pact With 15% Rate
- Trump Tariffs Ruled Illegal but Left in Place for Now
- Trump’s tariff strategy faces Supreme Court showdown
- UAW Presses Lutnick to Slap Tough Tariffs on Truck Imports
- What happens to Trump’s tariffs now that a federal appeals court has knocked them down?
- You Can’t Haul What Ain’t There — And Tariffs Just May Have Made It Worse
Tolls
In case you think that tolls never end, here’s one that did!
According to the second article in this section:
As of August 8, Virginia has officially ended toll collection on the George P. Coleman Bridge along Route 17, just outside Newport News. The decision, announced months ahead of the January 1 deadline, affects nearly 33,000 vehicles daily that use the bridge to cross between Gloucester and York counties.
If you travel this route, I’d like to know how much the end of the toll is going to save you.
Please comment through the form below. Thanks.
- Virginia Ends Tolls on Bridge Outside Newport News
- Virginia Ends Tolls on Coleman Bridge Outside Newport News
Trade
The articles in this section are similar to the “tariffs” section above.
- Canada, US Explore Small Trade Agreements
- Canada’s Envoys Head to DC After Fruitful Trump Conversation
- Descartes says trade uncertainty impacting customer decisions
- Private investor, South Korean conglomerate partner on U.S. maritime initiative
- Trump Threatens to Scrap Trade Deals if Tariffs Fall
- US Holds Off Sanctions on China Over Russia Ties
User fee
The article in this section opens with:
The United States faces a growing infrastructure crisis. Roads and bridges are aging, maintenance is falling behind and the funding mechanism we rely on — the Highway Trust Fund — isn’t keeping up. We need a solution that is fair, transparent and efficiently leverages the systems already in place.
The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) is calling on lawmakers to adopt a Gallons-Based User Fee (GBUF). This is a simple, common-sense update to the current fuel tax, which has not been raised since 1993.
Some will say that electric trucks will be let off the hook, which won’t be fair.
What is your proposed solution to this problem?
6. Regarding maintenance, reefer, and tires:
Maintenance
- How to Keep DPF Systems Alive Longer With Simple Driver Habits
- The Right Way to Document Maintenance for DOT Audits and Resale Value
Reefer
Tires
7. Regarding inspections, safety, and snow chains:
Inspections
If you keep yourself and your rig in perpetual readiness for an inspection, you’ll never be caught off-guard.
- Arizona troopers find 2,229 violations during Brake Safety Week truck inspections
- CVSA pushes for universal electronic identification trackers for commercial vehicles
- Guelph, Ont., enforcement blitz puts 41% of inspected trucks OOS
- Oversize load given two out of service orders after three stops in 24 hours
- Safety blitz places nearly 600 commercial vehicles out of service
- Texas Task Force uncovers 213 commercial vehicle violations, issues 20 out-of-service orders
- Troopers from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas team up for joint commercial vehicle inspection operations
Safety
Snow chains
You may wish to read these posts:
- Truck Snow Chains: Preparation for Winter Driving
- About Automatic Tire Chains and Automatic Snow Chains for Trucks
The article in this section says:
As part of the event, CSP troopers and Port of Entry officers “will be checking all commercial drivers on I-70 to ensure they are carrying chains as required by Colorado State law.”
In my experience, snow chain banks are not as reliable as having traction devices on the truck year-round.
8. Regarding HOS, legal, politics, regulations, speed limiter, testing, and training:
HOS
Another emergency, another waiver of the HOS for those in the area of the emergency…
{Sigh!}
Legal
- Canada Post and union contract divide widens
- CDL Scandal: 6 Indicted in Louisiana Bribery Scheme
- Peruvian citizen faces federal charges for driving commercial vehicles under stolen identity
Politics
- Bill covers warehouses and truck routes
- California vs. US showdown: two cases might head to same stage, and Federal Register notice posted
- CTA’s pre-budget submission demands crackdowns on labor abuse and tax evasion
- Deadline for Fiscal 2026 Bills Closing In on Congress
- OOIDA outlines truckers’ highway bill needs to DOT
- OOIDA, ATA clash over highway bill priorities
- Oregon House votes on transportation-funding plan
- Trump Administration Moves to Protect IC Rights
Regulations
- DOT, DOL provide updates on trucking-related regs in the works
- FMCSA pumps the brakes on new trucking regulations
- What potential trucking regs are on the horizon?
Speed limiter
Testing
Drug testing.
- DOT Moves to Add Fentanyl Tests for Commercial Truck Drivers
- Federal Register Gives Notice on Fentanyl Testing
- Feds propose adding fentanyl to DOT drug testing panels
- HHS resets clock on long-awaited hair testing guidelines
Training
9. Regarding abandonment, operations, and parking:
Abandonment
You may wish to read this post, too:
Abandon a Truck? Abandon Your Future in Trucking!
Operations
- Thinking About Flatbedding? What Every First-Time Open Deck Owner-Op Needs to Know
- When to Drive, When to Dispatch, and When to Get Out of the Truck Completely
Parking
- $37 million truck parking facilities open along I-65 in Indiana
- 105 new trcuk parking spaces available along Interstate 20 in Texas
- Data or delusion? Flimsy research tries to erase truck parking crisis
- Indiana reopens rest area with expanded truck parking
- New Love’s truck stop off I-20 brings 105 truck parking spaces to Texas
- Shell Rotella partners with Truck Parking Club for free truck parking
- ‘Unacceptable and insulting’: OOIDA calls out Truck Parking Club
- Washington State DOT launches truck parking info system for I-5 corridor
- Washington State launches predictive system to help truckers find parking along I-5 corridor ‘up to 4 hours in advance’
10. Regarding lockers and technology:
Lockers
I’ve seen “lockers” at places like Home Depot and Walmart, but never in situations like those described in this article (about Europe):
Technology
- AI in Logistics: Augment’s Bold Move with $85M Funding
- C.H. Robinson recognized for putting AI to work moving freight
- CDLLife App: Road Dogs, Road Tests, & Roadside Sunsets
- Fleetworks’ AI-powered carrier rep stands out from the pack
- Fleetworthy adds 10 SmartTiles to CPSuite
- Fleetworthy and Loadsure forge alliance to elevate fleet safety through real-time alerts
- Fleetworthy Details Fleet-Focused AI Advances
- Geotab ELD Integrates With Latest Freightliner Factory-Installed Telematics
- HappyRobot secures $44 million to scale AI workforce for the supply chain
- Method 360 ANC latest wireless earbuds from Skullcandy
- OTRintelligence sets a new benchmark for efficiency and reliability
- Phillips Connect launches TechAssist app for SmartTrailer tech, maintenance
- PrePass, RunBuggy partner to boost auto hauler performance
- Tech Roundup: new compliance tech and funding raises
- Trucking questions FMCSA’s proposal to fix flawed safety data
11. Regarding issues and truckers:
Issues
If you have valuable insights to share, please do!
- Annual Survey to Track Top Trucking Concerns
- ATRI asks trucking industry to rank top concerns
- Have your say: Survey of top industry issues now open through Oct. 10
- Northwestern University wants owner-operator feedback
Truckers
- How should FMCSA fix a ‘broken’ DataQ system?
- Truckers’ Input Sought on N.Y. Thruway Facility Upgrades
12. Regarding awards, recognition, Driver Appreciation Month, NTDAW:
Awards
Congratulations to all professional truck drivers who qualify for truck driving championships or achieve a level of excellence in their professional driving!
- Meet your 2025 Small Fleet Championship trucking semi-finalists
- Trucking HR Canada announces shortlist finalists for Achievement of Excellence Awards
Recognition
I recognize those who helped their fellow human beings — either a trucker helping someone or someone helping one or more truckers — who were in a time of need.
Thanks!
- Hero on wheels: Trucker honored as Highway Angel for aiding motorcyclist
- Hero trucker steps in to aid fellow unresponsive driver
- TCA honors ABF Freight driver, Army veteran for efforts at fire scene
- TCA names Bay & Bay driver a Highway Angel for aiding crash victims
Driver Appreciation Month
According to the first article in this section:
Pilot is celebrating truck drivers throughout September with a first-of-its-kind Road Warrior contest and exclusive deals for Driver Appreciation Month.
According to the contest page:
For 10 years, we’ve been celebrating the most dedicated pro drivers. This year, nominate a pro starting September 2nd for a chance to win a refurbished semi-truck built by the Diesel Brothers along with a $50,000 cash prize!
Woohoo! Good luck, everyone!
- Pilot Road Warrior winner to receive custom Kenworth W900, $50K
- Pilot to award Road Warrior winner a custom Kenworth and $50,000
NTDAW – National Truck Driver Appreciation Week
According to the American Trucking Associations:
Celebrated annually, this year’s National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is September 14-20, 2025 and we invite all Americans to show professional truck drivers appreciation and support for all the hard work they do. Their efforts contribute greatly to our quality of life and truly move America forward.
Of course, I appreciate truckers all year long and advocate for your success!
Articles in this section are:
- RaceTrac Celebrates Truckers with Special Perks
- Tips for Taking Care of Your Health During National Truck Driver Appreciation Week
According to TimeAndDate.com, there are 109 days:
- From and including: Sunday, September 14, 2025;
- To and including: Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
So, let’s look at various ways to appreciate truck drivers!
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: 2025.09.06 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
