TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2025.09.27 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending September 27, 2025, written by Vicki Simons.
I welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding future, HOS, and NTDAW:
Future
The opening paragraph of the article in this section reads:
As the U.S. trucking industry transitions out of the low point experienced in early 2023, the road to recovery in 2025 remains complex. According to recent analysis from ACT Research and other transportation data sources, the trucking sector is undergoing a gradual rebalancing influenced by macroeconomic pressures, regulatory uncertainty, and evolving freight market dynamics.
What are you seeing in the trucking industry?
Please comment through the form below. Thanks.
HOS
The subtitle of the article Truck drivers to feds: More money, not more hours is:
FMCSA should help ensure fair wages instead of easing work rules, truckers tell regulator.
The first driver quoted in the article said: “every industry problem [gets] blamed on drivers while companies profit from our unpaid labor.”
The second driver said: “How about instead of us getting more hours, [you] get us more money that we deserve with less hours?”
The article also cited OOIDA President Todd Spencer as telling FreightWaves in a recent interview: “If drivers were paid for their time they wouldn’t be delayed 20 to 40 hours every week.”
What are your thoughts?
Please share through the form below.
- FMCSA proposes 2 pilot programs to study changes to HOS regs
- Here’s what truckers have to say about FMCSA’s hours-of-service flexibility pilots
- HOS Changes Coming? One Way It Can Impact Small Carriers’ Profitability
- Pulse Survey: Readers speak out on unpaid on-duty tasks
NTDAW
Did you receive anything special during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week?
Please share your experience through the form below.
2. Regarding border, brokers, Canada Post, and CTA:
Border
- Borderlands Mexico: Uber Freight bets on cross-border growth as trade surges 21%
- Echo Global opens Monterrey office amid US-Mexico trade boom
- FMCSA urged to consider border delays in trucker pilot program
Brokers
- Freight Brokers and Dispatchers
- Regulators target crooked freight brokers
- Report bad brokers: FMCSA updates NCCDB whistleblower-complaint system
Canada Post
- Businesses decry Canada Post strike as peak shipping season approaches
- Canada Post Union Strikes Over Moves to End Household Mail
- Canadian government to end home delivery in Canada Post reform
CTA
3. Regarding bankruptcy, economy, inflation, lottery, pay, rates, shortage, and stamps:
Bankruptcy
- Auto Parts Maker First Brands Prepares for Bankruptcy Filing
- Parts Supplier First Brands Preps for Bankruptcy With No Plan
- Small carrier’s bankruptcy spells out need for factoring
- Units Linked to First Brands File for Bankruptcy
Economy
- ACT Research: Trade war headwinds bearing down
- ACT Research: US trailer industry facing challenging times
- ATA Truck Tonnage Index rises 0.9% in August
- ECONOMIC TRUCKING TRENDS: Canada’s spot market was soft in August, but U.S. truck tonnage edged upward
- Economy Expanded at a Surprising 3.8% Pace in Q2
- FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index improves marginally in July
- Heavy Truck Orders Strangled by Stagnant Economy
- US economy expanded at a surprising 3.8% pace in significant upgrade of second quarter growth
- US to Scrutinize Farm Input Suppliers on Surge in Costs
- US Trailer Orders Hit Four Months of Year-Over-Year Gains
- Used truck prices steady, even with spot freight demand improvement
Inflation
Lottery
That sounds smart, but let’s hope that his money stays secure!
Pay
- How Owner-Operators Can Recover Lost Income After an Accident
- Truckload earnings estimates cut heading into Q3 reports
Rates
Shortage
The author of the article in this section wrote:
I wonder how bad the driver shortage will be when the freight market trough turns into the next peak. Talking up a driver shortage in the midst of an over-capacity/insufficient-demand freight trough seems somewhat ill-timed. But reducing the driver pool during a trough seems to guarantee a more severe driver shortage when the market shifts gears and demand rises.
Stamps
4. Regarding crashes, drugs, DUI, explosion, fatalities, fraud, smuggling, theft, and violence:
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.
- Big rig changing lanes causes crash involving FHP patrol car
- Cattle euthanized following semi crash in North Carolina
- Elderly wrong-way motorist left pinned with car’s rear end in the air after crash with semi truck
- One injured when pickup truck rear-ends semi truck
- VIDEO: Truck driver asleep at the wheel somehow avoids two CMVs & a biker before violently overturning
Drugs
Never ever haul or take illegal drugs.
- CBP finds $13 million in meth hidden carbonated drinks
- CBP seizes more than 100 pounds of fentanyl from big rigs
- DEA issues warning of drug 100 times more potent than fentanyl
- NJ Troopers seize over $48 million worth of pot & related products
- Several truckers busted as part of numerous recent drug seizures
DUI
Never ever consume alcohol — or use an alcohol-containing product (such as mouthwash) — before beginning to drive a commercial motor vehicle!
BTW, it always looks suspicious when a trucker refuses “a chemical test for intoxication”!
Explosion
One statement from this article:
The explosion and subsequent fire at the manufacturing and distribution facility resulted in an oily residue and petrochemicals affecting surrounding neighborhoods.
I hope that no one was hurt or will be hurt as a result of this explosion!
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?
- Arkansas pedestrian killed by Kenworth truck
- Crash involving semi truck kills two in California
- Fatal crash involving oversized load, two other commercial vehicles, reported on I-40 in Tennessee
- Fatal I-70 collision in Ohio prompts safety recommendations
- Feds blame truck driver’s inattention for I-70 bus crash that killed six
- Maximum sentence issued for man convicted of fatally shooting Amazon semi truck driver on I-5
- NHTSA reports sharp drop in traffic fatalities in first half of 2025
- NTSB says truck driver’s inattention, weak traffic management behind deadly Ohio I-70 crash
- NTSB: Driver inattention caused 2023 crash that killed 6, injured 40
- One dead after big rig crash near Georgia border
- One dead, three injured in crash between three Chevy pickups and a tractor trailer
- Traffic fatalities trending down in 2025: NHTSA
- Truck driver involved in I-35 accident that killed 5 now faces 22 charges
- Truck driver speared by forklift in fatal unloading accident
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.
Smuggling
Never ever transport people made in the image of God as if they were cattle or cargo — no matter how large of an incentive you’ve been offered.
- CBP stops smuggling attempt concealing 55 illegal aliens in produce trailer
- September seizures top $114M as Canada extradites smuggling suspect
- Sisters found in refrigerated trailer say this wasn’t the first time as driver faces felony conviction
- Two men face federal charges for human smuggling attempt
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.
- DOT Seeks Industry Input on Cargo Theft Risks
- How Today’s Cybercriminals Con Their Way Into Trucking Operations
- Sarnia police recover stolen trailer, arrest two men after roundabout crash
- Statewide diesel fuel theft ring using semi trucks busted by Florida sheriff’s department
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.
- Gunman killed in early morning shooting at an Amazon facility in Georgia
- I-95 shut down for hours after trucker shoots at box truck
5. Regarding business, cold, inspections, insurance, maintenance, and network:
Business
- 10 tips to thrive as an owner-operator: Advice from a veteran driver
- As Supply Chain Volatility Rises, 4PLs Prove Strategic
- How these two owners built a thriving LTL-furniture-haul small fleet
- Private fleets keep growing with fewer miles, higher driver pay and faster trade cycles
- Private fleets thrive amid freight rate recession
- Second 2025 owner-operator trends data session upcoming
- September 2025 Industry Update: Truckload Capacity Outlook
- Target expanding next-day delivery to top 35 cities
- UPS boosts intra-Asia air capacity as US volumes wane
Cold
- How a ‘Hockey Puck’ tracker could revolutionize cold chains
- Produce Consumption Patterns are Driving Cold Chain Recovery
- Tag-N-Trac’s partnership yields millions in savings
Inspections
If you keep yourself and your rig in perpetual readiness for an inspection, you’ll never be caught off-guard.
- FMCSA Data Shows Surge in Roadside Inspections
- Investigation: Is unsafe Ontario equipment being allowed to operate with unethically obtained safety inspection decals?
- More than 1,300 commercial vehicles inspected during five day campaign in New Mexico
- Truck taken off the road for bad tires, 11K pound overweight violation
Insurance
- Trucking Industry Still Facing Soaring Insurance Costs
- Trucking Insurance Faces Crossroads With AI and Litigation
Maintenance
Network
6. Regarding language, leasing, legal, and length of haul:
Language
- Bill would use weigh stations to enforce CDL, English-proficiency rules
- California, Washington defy DOT ELP enforcement deadline
- DOT adds restrictions to non-domiciled CDLs
- DOT plans “Major Trucking Safety Announcement on Non-Domiciled Truck Licensing” for Friday
- DOT Tightens Rules for Noncitizen Truck Drivers
- DOT watchdog announces audit of FMCSA’s English proficiency testing
- Duffy calls non-domiciled CDLs ‘national emergency’; announces crackdown
- Duffy issues emergency action on non-domiciled CDLs, California hit with sanctions
- FMCSA issues emergency rule restricting non-domiciled CDLs
- FMCSA to force nearly 200K non-domiciled CDL holders out of trucking
- Proposal requiring law enforcement to arrest any undocumented migrant found driving semi truck filed by Florida Senator
- USDOT announces immediate action against issuing of non-domiciled CDLs, with direct action against California
- WTA offers support for enforcement of English Language Proficiency
Leasing
There are numerous mentions regarding truck leasing on this site.
One article is entitled:
Commercial Truck Leasing: Beware of Designed-to-Fail Schemes
- Building a home for leased owner-operators with contract simplicity
- House bill looks to ban predatory lease-purchase programs in trucking
- House Bill Would Ban Predatory Lease-Purchase Programs in Trucking
- OOIDA supports new bill to ban predatory truck leasing
Legal
- Amazon to Pay $2.5B to Settle Prime Subscriptions Case
- Appeals Court Keeps Yellow on the Hook for Retiree Billions
- Court backs OBCCTC, shuts down independent operators’ appeal to use extra drivers, multiple sponsorships
- Court overturns Pamt’s victory in racial harassment suit
- Driver allegedly kidnaps man and leads police on chase through LA in bobtail with fake plates
- Federal government fires back in court over California waiver cancellation
- Lawsuit against trucking company in I-20 drowsy driving crash cites former employees as proof of safety violations
- Scott Camara Sentenced for CDL Fraud Charges
- Trucker awarded $32M for fall at ExxonMobil facility
Length of haul
The opening paragraph in the article in this section reads:
The national average length of haul index (OALOHA) has been running at or near all-time lows in 2025 as the truckload market has lost a significant share of transcontinental moves to intermodal. It may also reflect broader shifts in supply chain strategies. The OALOHA bottomed in August at around 522 miles but has since recovered to more than 571 miles. The question now is whether the truckload market is beginning to regain long-haul share or if this is simply a seasonal blip in a longer-running trend.
7. Regarding autonomous vehicles, CARB, electric vehicles, emissions, fuel, fuel credit, and oil:
Autonomous vehicles
I most vehemently oppose the operation of self-driving, autonomous, or driverless 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.
- Autonomous Truck Developer Kodiak AI Goes Public
- Gatik expands autonomous truck fleet With Loblaw
- Loblaw to deploy 50 Gatik autonomous trucks
- Nissan Enters Self-Driving Vehicle Race
CARB
As is defined on the glossary on this website, CARB stands for California Air Resources Board.
Please also see the section on Emissions in this trucking commentary.
- CARB proposes to reinstate prior emissions regulations
- CARB Slams EPA’s “Sloppy” Push to Repeal Climate Finding
- CARB vs. Truck Makers tussle is not a Broken Promise
Electric vehicles
Before you buy an all-electric Commercial Motor Vehicle, please do your due diligence by asking some questions and getting answers.
- EV Realty Wins $75M Private Equity-Led Capital Infusion
- EVgo Is Open to Buying Rival EV Charging Firms
- Ford, Slate Focus on Affordable EV Pickup Trucks
- Greenlane tackles EV charging concerns with ‘Charge On Us’ dealer program
- Sticker shock: Electric trucks are getting pricier, not cheaper
- Uber Freight, Tesla Launch EV Purchase Accelerator
Emissions
- California Gov. Gavin Newsom extends signature program aimed at curbing carbon emissions
- Illinois stalls but doesn’t quit on California vehicle emission rules
- OOIDA to EPA: Clean air yes; unrealistic rules no
- Tesla Urges US to Keep Emissions Rules Meant to Boost EVs
- Truckers back Trump’s emissions rollback at EPA
Fuel
- Diesel price stability rolls on with a minor upward move this week
- Nortrans deploys natural gas truck on mountainous routes with heavy payloads
Fuel credit
Oil
8. Regarding multimodal, oversize, parts, portable scales, and recalls:
Multimodal
I will be interested to learn how leaders from the “three critical modalities in the commercial freight sector— trucking, maritime, and rail” will work together.
Oversize
OK, folks, if the height of your load is higher than 13′ 6″ tall — and you’re driving east of the Mississippi River — you will most likely need an oversized permit.
Always follow the route mapped out for your rig/load.
- Oversize load damages I-81 bridges
- Oversize load driver strikes three bridges before police stop him at Virginia rest area
Parts
Portable scales
Quoting from the article in this section, but putting the quotes in bullet point format:
- Sam Adams, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency government affairs director, told state lawmakers that 20% of trucks inspected by the agency receive citations;
- Adams testified that half of the citations issued are for overweight violations;
- He added that half of the overweight violations found at permanent and portable scales are issued to log, pole or lumber haulers.
So, if you drive in Alabama and you’re hauling logs, poles, or lumber, pay attention!
Recalls
If your tractor or trailer is under a recall, please have the work attended to as soon as possible.
- 700 trucks caught up in recalls over steering, brakes
- Busted lights and jammed doors prompt Volvo Trucks, Mack recalls
9. Regarding ban, CDL audit, politics, regulations, reporting, and shipping:
CDL audit
I’d never before heard of a CDL audit, so I went looking…
The first article in this section states:
This investigation has the state-run commercial driver’s license (CDL) programs squarely in its crosshairs, and it could change the landscape of licensing and enforcement for every driver and carrier on the road.
At its core, the OIG is asking a simple question: Is the FMCSA making sure that states are following the rules? The answer, it seems, is worth a full-scale federal audit.
Of course, the institution of the federal CDL is unconstitutional, meaning that this is really a state issue.
I see this as another means of control.
- Federal audit targets state CDL programs; signals major shift in national oversight
- Federal Watchdog Launches New CDL Audit: What That Means for Trucking
Ban
Politics
- Duffy Raises DEI Contract, Cost Concerns for Baltimore Bridge
- Towing reform rules in one state have Oct. 1 start date
Regulations
Reporting
Well, well, well… another way to report.
I wonder what good that will do. Hmm…
- A place for truckers to report bad brokers, etc.
- Duffy launches first phase of National Consumer Complaint Database modernization
- FMCSA launches modernized database that truckers can use to report safety violations and fraud
- FMCSA makes Consumer Complaint Database more trucker-friendly
Shipping
- German postal operator to resume US parcel shipping
- Maersk: No China ship surcharge; Seaspan to reflag 100 vessels
10. Regarding steel, tariffs, Volvo, weather, and Yellow:
Steel
- Trump Blocks US Steel Plan to Stop Processing at Plant
- US Steel Approves $300 Million in Nippon Steel Spending
Tariffs
- Daimler Truck, Traton Slide Over Trump’s Truck Tariffs
- DHL surges customs agent hiring as new tariffs confuse importers
- Tariffs torching U.S. container imports: Analyst
- Trump announces 25% tariff on imported heavy trucks to start in October
- Trump Imposes 25% Tariff on Heavy-Duty Trucks
- Trump imposes steep new tariff on heavy trucks
- Trump imposing 25% tariff on trucks | Driver in I-35 crash indicted for felony manslaughter
- Trump Says Tariff Revenue Will Fund Relief for Farmers
- Trump sets 25% tariff on imported trucks, raising supply chain stakes
- Trump slaps 25% tariff on complete trucks
- Trump targets heavy-duty trucks with 25% tariff beginning Oct. 1
- Trump to expand tariff powers, sets 15% baseline on Japan
- Trump to put import taxes on heavy trucks, pharmaceutical drugs, kitchen cabinets and furniture
- Trump’s 100% Pharmaceutical Tariffs Won’t Apply to EU, Japan
- Trump’s Steel Tariffs Trigger Counterstrikes From Neighbors
- Trump’s Truck Tariff Announcement Pushes Ford Shares Up
- Volvo applies $3,500 tariff surcharge, still not enough to cover entire cost
Volvo
- Side curtain airbags now standard in new Volvo trucks
- Volvo becomes first trucking OEM to make side curtain airbags standard
- Volvo opens order books for new VNR regional haul truck
- Volvo opens order books for VNR
- Volvo partners with Class8 to create Load Finder
- Volvo positioned for growth when truck market recovers
- Volvo turns up the heat testing its new VNL model in U.S. Southwest
- Volvo VNL Offers Restful Night, On-Road Performance
Weather
Please monitor weather before and during your driving time.
- 4.3 magnitude earthquake jolts the San Francisco Bay Area and people report feeling a sharp shake
- Gabrielle rapidly intensifies into a Category 3 hurricane in the Atlantic, is staying away from land
- Study shows which states have most dangerous winters for truckers
- Sudden heavy rain in Southern California unleashes mudslides, 2-year-old drowns in floodwaters
Yellow
According to the article in this section:
In an opinion issued on Sept. 16, a three-judge panel upheld a previous ruling from a Delaware bankruptcy court that Yellow was liable for $6.5 billion in debt claims made by its pension funds.
11. Regarding technology, testing, trafficking, training, truck stop, and Uber:
Technology
- Accur8 TMS is Built to Scale With You
- Dash cam catches semi truck sending up sparks as it grinds against median during crash in Texas
- Fake Wi-Fi networks put truckers and fleets at risk on the road
- Flexport unveils tech-driven duty drawback strategy for bigger refunds
- How to use AI workflows with your freight tech
- How Triumph’s platform elevates freight pricing confidence
- McLeod Software rolls out RespondAI communication automation
- NTSB to Feds: Require truck-driver monitoring
- Ontario plans to ban municipal speed cameras
- Pilot Launches Mobile Ordering for Enhanced Service
- SONAR integrates GenLogs to enhance carrier capacity sourcing
- Why PCS Software’s AI launch matters for carriers
Testing
- CDL testing scam: jail time for 2 more in Massachusetts
- USDOT to audit FMCSA’s oversight of national CDL Program compliance by states
Trafficking
Training
- HOLT Truck Centers Donates 5 Trucks for Tech Education
- Investing in tomorrow: Partnership between Sage Truck Driving Schools and Howes helps bridge the gap for prospective students
- Ontario extends detailed MELT lesson plans deadline to July 1, 2026
- Truck driver training schools slam Ontario’s MELT lesson plan deadline extension
- Truckers protest poor driver training & truck maintenance with Montreal slow-roll
Truck stop
- Analyze this: Who is the best truck stop? Where is the best state to rest?
- Truckers Paradise truck stop faces payroll delays
- Trucker’s Paradise truck stop fails to pay employees in face of “complex” business and investor situation
Uber
12. Regarding awards:
Awards
Congratulations to every professional truck driver who has achieved a level of proficiency or mileage / time milestone; qualified for a contest; won a contest; received an award; etc.!
- 2025 Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award Finalists
- 4 finalists named for award recognizing vets who are truckers
- A. Duie Pyle recognizes truckers who have driven one million+ miles
- Christian Sanchez Cantù wins Landstar’s 52nd truck giveaway
- International Foodservice Distributors drivers join Hall of Fame
- Landstar owner-operator wins new Freightliner
- Old Dominion driver wins top award honoring top young truckers
- Texas trucker wins new Freightliner Cascadia in Landstar giveaway
- ‘Transition Trucking’ award finalists named
- Transition Trucking finalists down to four
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: 2025.09.27 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
