CDL Industry News
Regulatory changes, enforcement and industry developments that affect drivers and the people training to become one.
613 stories
- Transport TopicsLicensing
CBP pilot to test electronic truck export manifests
The Electronic Export Manifest truck cargo test will evaluate whether carriers can be required to submit electronic manifest information before cargo is loaded.
A pilot test will check whether carriers can be required to send electronic export manifest information before cargo is loaded.
Read the full story at Transport Topics - Transport TopicsRegulations
Perspective: America's trucking resurgence is underway
Trucking leaders, law enforcement and federal regulators have begun closing loopholes that allow fraudsters, unqualified drivers and noncompliant carriers into our industry.
Trucking leaders, law enforcement and federal regulators are closing loopholes that let fraudsters, unqualified drivers and noncompliant carriers into the industry.
Read the full story at Transport Topics - CDL LifeIndustry
Trucking industry leaders confirm what we’ve known for weeks – The Oct. 1st trucker strike won’t happen
Leaders within the trucking industry have taken to the media this week to spread the truth about the alleged looming trucker strike that those of us familiar with this pattern already knew – it’s not...
Industry leaders say the rumored October 1st trucker strike is not going to happen, so keep working your normal schedule.
Read the full story at CDL Life - CDL LifeRegulations
Man arrested for taking $2,000+ worth of diesel from trucking company’s private fueling station
A man was arrested after taking more than $2,000 worth of diesel from a local trucking company’s private refueling station in upstate New York. 66-year-old Erwin Schober was charged with fourth...
A man faces grand larceny charges for taking diesel from a trucking company's private refueling station in upstate New York.
Read the full story at CDL Life - CDL LifeCarriers
Trucking company calls police after in-cab camera catches driver snorting white powder
A truck driver was arrested after his trucking company reported him to police for potentially doing cocaine inside of the truck. The incident happened at around 4:25 p.m. on Thursday, September 24th...
An in-cab camera led a trucking company to report a driver to police for suspected cocaine use at an Oregon rest area.
Read the full story at CDL Life - Transport TopicsIndustry
Trucking’s recovery continues to hinge on tighter capacity
The ATA For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index fell 0.5% from July to 112.7, down from 113.3. The index also declined 1.6% year over year.
Freight demand eased as the tonnage index slipped from July and fell below last year, so expect capacity to stay the key to any recovery.
Read the full story at Transport Topics - CDL LifeRegulations
Texas declares emergency for high fuel prices: Dyed-diesel restrictions suspended and truck weight limits increased
Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an emergency proclamation due to high diesel prices, relaxing certain rules in hopes of bringing cost relief to truckers and farmers. On September 28, 2026, Abbott...
Texas suspended dyed diesel restrictions and raised truck weight limits to ease the cost of diesel that hit $5.90 per gallon.
Read the full story at CDL Life - Transport TopicsCarriers
AI is helping fleets automate routine tasks
Panelists stressed that while carriers that move early can gain a competitive advantage, workforce concerns remain a critical part of implementation.
Read the full story at Transport Topics - CDL LifeRegulations
Six family-owned trucking companies accuse CH Robinson & TQL of using chameleon carriers and pricing out compliant...
A group of six family-owner trucking companies filed a lawsuit against two of America’s largest freight brokers in Texas federal court late last week. The six companies filed a Racketeer Influenced...
Read the full story at CDL Life - CDL LifeCarriers
Firefighter recognized by company for bringing weaving commercial truck to safe stop on North Carolina highway
A volunteer firefighter is being recognized for taking action to bring a commercial truck to a safe stop after a possible medical emergency on U.S. 70 in North Carolina. On September 25, volunteer...
Read the full story at CDL Life - CDL LifeIndustry
Commercial vehicle driver arrested for DUI after close call at stop sign, CHP says
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) put the brakes on a truck driver for operating under the influence in the Modesto area. According to a September 26 release from CHP’s Modesto Division, a...
A CHP commercial vehicle officer stopped a big rig pulling doubles in the Modesto area after the driver failed to yield at a stop sign, and the driver was arrested for DUI.
Read the full story at CDL Life - CDL LifeCarriers
Thieves end up with 20 tons of sand used to simulate freight after stealing Nvidia branded trailers from autonomous...
Thieves in California ended up with loads of nothing but sand after stealing two Nvidia branded trailers from an autonomous trucking company in California. Workers at the PlusAI warehouse in Fremont,...
Thieves in California got only sand from two stolen Nvidia branded trailers, so drivers should know cargo may not match the trailer branding.
Read the full story at CDL Life - CDL LifeIndustry
More than $5 million in drugs seized during commercial vehicle stops on I-40 in Arkansas
The Arkansas Highway Police (AHP) made “two significant drug busts” during recent commercial vehicle traffic stops along I-40. On September 24, AHP detailed two recent drug seizures that occurred...
Commercial vehicle stops on I-40 in Arkansas led to two significant drug busts with police canine help, so drivers there should expect that kind of scrutiny.
Read the full story at CDL Life - CDL LifeRegulations
California trucking co. to pay Christian truck driver $60,000 after feds sue over religious discrimination
A trucking company agreed to pay a former truck driver employee tens of thousands of dollars to settle an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) lawsuit alleging that the company...
A California trucking company will pay a former driver $60,000 to settle an EEOC religious discrimination lawsuit.
Read the full story at CDL Life - CDL LifeIndustry
Truck driver’s CDL suspended, truck impounded after motorist calls 911 on him
A truck driver had his CDL suspended after a motorist called 911 on him to report erratic driving. The incident happened in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada on Sunday, September 27th. The Ontario...
A motorist's 911 call about erratic driving in Cambridge, Ontario, cost a truck driver his CDL and his truck.
Read the full story at CDL Life - Federal RegisterRegulations
Final rule: Hazardous Materials: Incorporation of ASME Code Section XII and the National Board Inspection Code
PHMSA is amending the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to incorporate by reference and authorize the use of the 2015 edition of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section XII--Rules for Construction and Continued Service of Transport Tanks for the construction and continued service of certain specification cargo tank motor vehicles (CTMVs), cryogenic portable tanks, and multi-unit tank car tanks. PHMSA is also amending the HMR to incorporate by reference and authorize the use of the 2015 edition of the National Board of Boiler and Pressure
Read the full story at Federal Register - CDL LifeIndustry
Nevada man indicted in $105 million semi truck investment fraud scheme
A business owner is accused of spearheading a semi truck investment fraud scheme that duped hundreds of victims out of more than $105 million. Kristopher Lunsford, 46, of Henderson, Nevada, was...
A Nevada business owner is accused of defrauding hundreds of victims out of more than $105 million through a semi truck investment scheme.
Read the full story at CDL Life - CDL LifeCarriers
CMV traffic stop leads to discovery of 174 handguns with scratched serial numbers & massive bundles of heroin
A routine traffic stop on a semi truck led to the discovery of 174 defaced firearms and 368 pounds of heroin in Michigan this week. The discovery occurred on Interstate 69 near Marshall, Michigan on...
A routine traffic stop on a semi truck in Michigan turned up 174 defaced handguns and 368 pounds of heroin.
Read the full story at CDL Life - CDL LifeLicensing
CHP nabs commercial vehicle driver for 21 MPH over in the wrong lane on I-5
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) made an example out of a commercial vehicle driver caught exceeding the speed limit while in the wrong lane for trucks. On September 25, 2026, CHP took to social...
Read the full story at CDL Life - CDL LifeIndustry
Arizona troopers issue alert about ‘dangerous’ new wrong-way driving game called ‘Lunatic’
Arizona authorities issued an alert after a wrong-way driver told troopers he was playing a new game on a busy interstate near Winslow. On September 20, 2026, several 911 callers reported a passenger...
A wrong way driver on I-40 near Winslow told troopers he was playing a game called Lunatic, so watch for oncoming traffic on the interstate.
Read the full story at CDL Life - Transport TopicsCarriers
Replacement demand revives trailer market
Motor carriers didn’t follow normal replacement schedules during the prolonged freight rate recession. That trend is starting to reverse.
Carriers are starting to replace trailers again after putting off normal replacement schedules during the freight rate recession.
Read the full story at Transport Topics - Transport TopicsCarriers
Carrier verification: Who's really hauling your freight?
High-value cargo thefts and acts of identity fraud are increasing in number and sophistication, putting pressure on brokers to strengthen carrier vetting practices.
Rising cargo theft and identity fraud mean brokers are checking carriers harder, so expect more scrutiny of who you are and what you haul.
Read the full story at Transport Topics - Transport TopicsIndustry
Canadian oil bypasses California stop as freight surges
The nation’s oil producers look to reduce dependence on the United States during an ongoing trade war.
Canadian oil producers reducing dependence on the United States during the trade war could shift freight patterns for drivers hauling crude.
Read the full story at Transport Topics - Transport TopicsRegulations
Truck makers seek European emissions compliance relief
IAA dwarfs any North American truck show in size. Yet the 2026 edition found European carriers facing many of the issues as their North American counterparts.
European carriers now face many of the same issues as North American drivers, as truck makers seek relief on European emissions compliance.
Read the full story at Transport Topics
What to do next
CDL schools by state
Every school we list is checked against the FMCSA training provider registry.
DOT physical locations
You need a medical certificate before you can hold a CDL permit.
Compliance and endorsement training
Hazmat, hours of service and the supervisor courses carriers ask for.
Carriers hiring now
Who is hiring in your state, including carriers that take drivers with a few months in.
📧 Weekly CDL News Digest
Get the latest CDL regulations and industry updates delivered to your inbox every week.
- FMCSA regulatory updates
- Training requirement changes
- Industry hiring trends
Each story links to the publication that reported it. For anything that affects your licence or your medical card, check the official FMCSA source before you act on it.