TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2025.11.01 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending November 1, 2025, written by Vicki Simons.
I welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding Daylight Saving Time, future, SNAP:
Daylight Saving Time
I am going to keep harping on this until the twice-a-year practice of changing the clocks for “Daylight Saving Time” is abolished in the USA.
What impact does Daylight Saving Time have on the length of day (amount of daylight)?
None!
What impact does Daylight Saving Time have on human health?
Negative, in multiple ways! Leave the clocks alone!
The act of moving the clock ahead and back an hour doesn’t “lengthen” or “shorten” a day by any amount of daylight.
In my opinion, since the USA is no longer an agricultural-based society, this practice is antiquated and needs to be eliminated.
Have you as a trucker ever had problems with the change of time, especially when it comes to your logs?
Please comment through the form below.
Future
The second article in this section reveals:
Uncertain. That’s probably the best way to describe the state of the freight market, according to Eric Starks, chairman of the board for FTR Transportation Intelligence.
… In addition, he said, a good deal of the uncertainty faced by the industry is related to tariffs.
“We started the year with (an effective tariff rate on imports) at just under 2.5%,” he said. “It went all the way up above 30%, and it’s been bouncing around since then.”
What are you seeing regarding the tariffs and any fallout from them, within your trucking job, your trucking company, and as you make pick-ups and deliveries?
Please comment through the form below.
- DAT execs in two forums discuss how it seeks to reshape the freight sector
- Uncertain outlook: Analysts look ahead to the future of freight
SNAP
The article in this section states:
With the Federal Government shut down, SNAP benefits are at risk right now, and this could lead to a significant drop in consumer spending—and by extension, freight volumes—for as long as the shutdown drags on.
Violence was predicted as a result of this, but to-date, I’ve heard of none in my area.
What have you heard or seen as you travel around?
Do you think that your rig will be hijacked or your load stolen due to this?
Please comment through the form below.
2. Regarding foreign drivers, illegal aliens, language:
Foreign drivers
The article in this section opens with:
An Illinois trucking company owner says that many immigrant drivers are victims of exploitation by foreign “cheater” trucking companies that are breaking laws and putting “good” American trucking companies out of business.
This trucking company owner said:
“If regulators are going to pass these laws, they have to enforce them, otherwise you’re just incentivizing people to cheat harder.”
Do you agree or disagree?
Please comment through the form below.
Illegal aliens
The article in this section starts with:
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem announced Oct. 30 the completion of the Midway Blitz operation, which has resulted in the arrest of 223 illegal aliens on Indiana highways near the Illinois state line — including 146 truck drivers.
According to the news release, DHS has linked the arrested individuals with criminal activity, ranging from driving under the influence and fraud, theft, burglary, to assault, child abuse, domestic battery, drug trafficking and prostitution.
In your opinion, was this a good move or a bad one?
Language
The first article in this section states:
On October 30, 2025, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy cited real-time violation data in reporting that 7,248 drivers have been placed out-of service for failure to meet federal ELP standards as of October 2025.
As I mentioned last week…
This is part of “General qualifications of drivers [who drive a commercial motor vehicle]” 49 C.F.R. 391.11(b)(2):
Can read and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, to understand highway traffic signs and signals in the English language, to respond to official inquiries, and to make entries on reports and records;
Just so that we’re clear:
According to FindLaw.com:
Laws are the products of written statutes, passed by either the U.S. Congress or state legislatures. The legislatures create bills that, when passed by a vote, become statutory law. …
Regulations, on the other hand, are standards and rules adopted by administrative agencies that govern how laws will be enforced.
So, the article says “standards” but they are really regulations.
- More than 7,000 truck drivers taken out-of-service for English proficiency violations, USDOT boss says
- More than 7,000 truckers reportedly sidelined for English proficiency violations
- New laws aimed at English proficiency, CDLs for illegal immigrants
- Over 140 truck drivers arrested during immigration blitz on Indiana roadways, feds say
- USPS tried to ban immigrant truck drivers — it went horribly
3. Regarding adjustment, business, capacity, cold, demand, freight classification:
Adjustment
The term “adjustment” will contain various kinds of business maneuvers, including acquisitions, bankruptcies, mergers, trucking company shutdowns, and more.
- 29 truck carrier files Chapter 11
- 52 truck company ceases operations, citing “simply unprecedented” market conditions
Business
- Find New Trucking Customers With This One Weird Trick!
- How playing the long game builds trucking sales success
- How stable are contract rates?
Capacity
- Largest capacity purge in history coming
- Truckload capacity is falling faster than demand
- Werner CEO sees ‘capacity attrition’ positioning carrier for recovery
Cold
- Accucold expands with dual compressor refrigerator-freezers
- Smarter Cold Chain: Fleet Telematics Create Predictive Advantages
Demand
Freight classification
4. Regarding aerodynamics, economy, employment, lumper, pay, shutdown, tariffs, trade, tolls:
Aerodynamics
The article states:
The lightweight 70 lb. assembly saves 26 lbs. compared to OEM extenders, according to Transtex, improving fuel efficiency and payload capacity.
If you have an aero extender on your truck, please let me know if you’re experiencing increased fuel mileage as a result!
Economy
- ACT: Used truck sales rise in September
- Americans Grow More Uneasy About Job Market, Economy
- ECONOMIC TRUCKING TRENDS: Spot rates were flat last week, headwinds remain for Class 8 market
- Economy Tops Trucking Industry Issues Ranking as New Concerns Emerge
- Economy Tops Trucking Industry Issues Ranking as New Concerns Emerge
- Is the goods economy in a recession? Freight data suggests so
- September sales of Class 8 truck and trailer sales continue downward trajectory
- Shippers Eye Earlier Bid Cycles to Beat Market’s Turn
- State of Freight takeaways: some signs are pointing higher
- Three-peat problem: Economy remains trucking’s top worry
Employment
- 2,000 drivers left UPS after taking buyouts, analyst says
- Canadian trucking reacts to promised crackdown on driver misclassification, jobs minister gives more details
- Freight and manufacturing layoffs sweep across supply chain
- Truck driver labor market under growing strain, report says
Lumper
This is the best article I have ever read regarding the problem and the solution regarding theft from truck drivers as it concerns lumpers!
Pay
The article in this section begins:
Chris Spear, President of the American Trucking Associations (ATA), recently claimed that truck driver wages increased during the recession, suggesting a shortage of truck drivers in the United States. However, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) paints a different picture, raising questions about the validity of Spears’ assertion.
Shutdown
The article in this section has to do with the government shutdown and more.
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.
- GOP Senators Break Ranks on Trump Tariffs
- Senate rejection of Trump’s tariffs stirs North American trade debate
- Tariffs are Trump’s favorite foreign policy tool. The Supreme Court could change how he uses them
- Trump cuts tariffs on China after meeting Xi in South Korea
- US Initiates China Tariff Inquiry Ahead of Trump-Xi Meeting
Trade
- Canada Set to Renew Trade Talks When US ‘Ready,’ Carney Says
- Deal between the US and China is undoing damage from a self-inflicted trade war
- Mexico Wins More Time in US Trade Negotiations
- Soybeans Surge as US-China Talks Spur Hope for Trade Revival
- Trump Says Canada Trade Talks Won’t Resume
- U.S.-China port fees to be suspended amid trade talks
- US Pushes Ahead With China Trade Probe Despite Truce
- US, China clinch one-year trade truce, cut tariffs in rare earth deal
- US, China Say Trade Deal Is Drawing Closer
- US-China Deal Is Undoing Damage From Trade War
Tolls
5. Regarding ATA, California, Duffy, FMCSA, politics, regulations:
ATA
- ATA caves on driver shortage lie: hard pivot to ‘quality’ dodge, no apologies
- ATA panel discusses strategies for challenging times
- ATA’s Spear highlights trucking’s wins, remains opposed to tariffs
California
- California Sues OEMs Over Clean Truck Partnership
- California Sues OEMs Over Clean Truck Partnership
- California, CARB fires back with lawsuit against four major OEMs
Duffy
The articles in this section have to do with the actions by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
- Duffy declares war on CDL mills and fleets that hire from them
- Duffy plans to expand driver enforcement to shippers
- Duffy pushes back on truck driver shortage
- Duffy ups California withholdings to $160M, threatens to pull ability to issue CDLs
- Duffy Ups Pressure on California After Latest Truck Crash
- Transportation secretary says he will pull $160M from California over noncitizen truck licenses
FMCSA
Politics
- ATA’s Spear Celebrates Lobbying Wins for Trucking
- Federal budget promises to lift T4A moratorium in bid to stamp out Driver Inc.
- Trucking Industry Waits With Congress Stuck in Neutral
Regulations
6. Regarding autonomous vehicles, clean, electric vehicles, fuel, fuel efficiency:
Autonomous vehicles
I completely oppose the operation of driverless, self-driving, 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 expands driverless routes to El Paso
- Aurora Heads into 2026 with Big Plans on Tap
- Aurora Prepares for Pivotal Launches as Losses Continue in Q3
- Autonomous overload?
- California moves to rein in rogue autonomous vehicles
- Driverless trucks surpass 100,000 miles in Texas
- International Partners with PlusAI, Nvidia to Commercialize Level 4 Autonomous Trucks
- Self-driving truck matches safest human fleets in major safety test
- Volvo Integrates Waabi Driver into the VNL Autonomous Truck
- Volvo, Waabi reach milestone in autonomous truck integration
- Waabi integrates AI Driver into Volvo Autonomous Truck
Clean
- Clean Energy Expands RNG Supply With Major Fleet Contracts
- Clean Truck Tech, Video Safety and More on Display at MCE
Electric vehicles
Before you buy an all-electric Commercial Motor Vehicle, please do your due diligence by asking some questions and getting answers.
Fuel
- Exxon, Chevron Surpass Estimates With Production Increases
- Trucker Path now offering fuel discounts through integration with WEX
Fuel efficiency
7. Regarding border, bridges, brokers, legal, road treatment:
Border
Bridges
- Overpass goes wild: Abandoned bridge gets a wildlife makeover in Idaho
- Repair of I-90 Bullfrog overpass damage by oversize load expected to take months
- Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge closed to empty trailers as storm moves through NYC
Brokers
- Are Some Brokers Willingly Using Known Non-Domiciled Drivers to Save Margins?
- New FMCSA Bond Rule May Shake Up Broker Compliance — Here’s What Small Carriers Need to Know
Legal
- Avoiding Nuclear Verdicts: How Fleets Can Protect Themselves in an Era of Rising Risk
- Driver pleaded not guilty to DUI, manslaughter charges in deadly California pile-up
- ExxonMobil sues California over climate disclosure laws
- Nuclear Verdicts Keep Getting Worse for Trucking
- Trucker suing driver & company for $1M after failure to yield crash
- Trucking Combats Soaring Nuclear Verdicts and Insurance Costs
- Trucking Increasingly Weary Over Lawsuit Abuse and Insurance
- Trucking lawsuits driving up food prices, killing jobs
Road treatment
8. Regarding crashes, fatalities, fraud, theft:
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 hauling soda overturns in Washington
- Four injured in crash involving school bus, big rig
- Heavy-duty truck collides with Amtrak train near San Antonio
- Limo bus driver in crash that injured 11 lacked CDL designation, DOT medical certification, Michigan troopers say
- Monkey escape in Mississippi gives a glimpse into the secretive world of animal research
- Truck driver who ignored traffic control personnel arrested after knocking lineman to the ground
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?
- Driver says he was checking email in moments before fatal crash
- Hit-and-run motorist turns himself in two years after killing truck driver
- Mack truck hits skateboarder; elderly man dead in separate Oregon crashes
- Man killed after hitting parked big rig on Arkansas off-ramp
- Object in roadway causes Kentucky highway death
- One person dead after crash with Kenworth in Arkansas
- Oregon State Police looking for witnesses of highway fatality
- Truck driver admits to watching anime in moments before fatal crash
- Truck driver in fatal Florida crash repeatedly failed driving tests, official says. What to know
- Truck driver killed after being run over by co-driver while checking for mechanical issue, Wyoming troopers say
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.
- First Brands Lenders Allege ‘Widespread Fraud’ in Filing
- Ontario bill cracks down on fraudulent driver’s licenses
- Record Pistachio Harvest and Freight Fraud’s Billion-Dollar Blind Spot
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.
- Bitcoin and Butterballs — stories of cargo theft
- Shaquille O’Neal’s $180,000 Range Rover stolen in suspected transport scam
- [Theft Article Falsely Titled] DOT Renews Criticism of Immigrant Drivers After Fatal California Crash
9. Regarding fatigued driving, health, operations:
Fatigued driving
This article includes:
The driver also admitted to falling asleep at the wheel. After further investigation, the driver was cited with Careless Driving along with multiple commercial violations.
This is never acceptable!
Health
- How — and why — carriers should help safeguard the health of independent drivers
- Pre-diabetes is a silent epidemic among truckers. SCF wants to help
Operations
10. Regarding inspections, maintenance, parts:
Inspections
If you keep yourself and your rig in perpetual readiness for an inspection, you’ll never be caught off-guard.
- CVSA Brake Week 2025 Results Show 15% Failure Rate
- ‘Max enforcement’ I-10 commercial vehicle operation yields 98 violations in 23 inspections
Maintenance
- Engine Overhaul or New Truck? A Brutally Honest Guide for Small Carriers Facing the Big Diesel Decision
- How extended lifecycles could catch up to some fleets
Parts
11. Regarding pets, safety, shipping, technology, Tesla, training, trucking:
Pets
- The pawsitive impact of Volvo Trucks pet safety partnership
- Volvo enhances pet safety, sees market sluggishness continuing through early ’26
- Volvo to focus on in-cab comfort and safety for pets riding along with truckers
Safety
- Grote Unveils H.E.L.P Safety Technologies at ATA 2025
- Safety Improvements Have Defined the Evolution of Trucking
Shipping
Technology
- A Moving Attack Surface: Trucking’s Unique Cyber Risk
- AI Pays Off Big for C.H. Robinson
- BeyondTrucks adds built-in AI integration to its TMS
- C.H. Robinson’s AI strategy boosts 2026 financial forecast
- Cardinal Health brings modernization and automation to the pharmaceutical supply chain
- Cloud Computing Growth Pushes Amazon Earnings Higher
- How data, sharing information helps carriers in tough times
- Motive Rolls Out AI Answers for Fleet Management
- Motive Unveils Conversational Artificial Intelligence
- Motive’s AI Answers brings conversational AI to physical operations
- Natural Language Cues Beyond Trucks’ AI-Powered Dispatch
- Nuvocargo acquires Mentum to supercharge its AI agent roadmap
- Phillips Connect Launches Solar Smart Trailer Device
- Rand McNally introduces truck-safe connected navigation
- Robots and Road Rage
- Ruan to use Clarios’ IdleLess battery monitoring system
- Rushing AI in Fleet Safety a ‘Life or Death’ Risk, Expert Warns
- Samsara Highlights Expanded AI-Powered Safety Platform
- Stop Talking at AI — Start Making It Work for Your Trucking Business
- Ten Cool Patent Boosts Reefer Fleet Efficiency
- Trucking technology increasing carriers’ exposure to cyberattacks
Tesla
- Tesla committed to 2026 debut of electric Semi
- Tesla Semi Tractor Serial Production Still on Schedule
Training
- CDL mills in the hot seat; lawmakers demand higher standards
- DOT to CDL mills: We’re coming after you
- Following the rules: How educational institutions are navigating the CDL landscape
- Riding the wave: Clarity on younger drivers helps steer trucking into the future
- The growing problem of CDL Mills: compromising highway safety
- USDOT cracks down on CDL mills, denies driver shortage
- USDOT ‘will go after CDL mills’ producing unqualified truck drivers
Trucking
- FTR’s Shippers Conditions Index improves in August
- Perspective: Trucking’s Strength Comes From Its Unity
12. Regarding awards:
Awards
I recognize those who help their fellow human beings in a time of need, whether truckers helped others or others helped 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: 2025.11.01 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
