Drivers getting sidelined?

Roadside English proficiency tests are becoming a bigger compliance risk for carriers and enforcement is ramping up. This week, we’re covering what fleets need to know to prepare and protect drivers from costly delays. You’ll also find updates on falling truck orders and new lighting tech to boost safety.

Plus, a zero-emission truck incentive in the Northwest, key FMCSA confirmation hearings and what emergency waivers mean for your routes. We’ve sorted the headlines, so you can stay focused on your fleet and your margins.

What to know about driver English tests and training

It’s no secret that one of the hottest issues for fleet owners and drivers is the growing demand for English comprehension on the road. Drivers will likely need a certain level of fluency to stay compliant, and stay driving, for at least the next three years.

We’ve asked Mark Murrell, president of online driver training company CarriersEdge, to help us navigate where we are right now with driver education.
—Alan Schmadtke

When people hear about a language deficit among commercial drivers, they may assume the issues are centered on communicating with vendors, loaders, unloaders and people they meet along their route. Can you share why it’s much more than that and the risks involved?

The concerns about commercial drivers who are not fluent in English are twofold. First, they may not be able to communicate effectively with inspectors or roadside enforcement. When drivers don’t clearly understand verbal instructions in English, it can pose a safety hazard for anyone outside the vehicle. Second, drivers may not be able to fully understand road signs, especially those with multiple messages, such as “Construction ahead, expect delays” or “9% Grade 7 miles.” They may not take the appropriate precautions and could cause damage to the vehicle, an injury or even a fatality.

Can you explain how the English Proficiency Assessment works?

The assessment takes about 10 minutes and is designed to assess how well a driver understands common phrases used during an inspection or other roadside encounter. It uses questions similar to ones the FMCSA describes in its enforcement guidelines. Questions and answers are either visual cues or audio clips, which assess a driver's ability to understand and respond to the types of questions they may be asked.

Is there a target market, or do you see this helping the various industry sectors?

The test can be useful for any carrier operating in the U.S. If a carrier has drivers for whom English is a second language, the assessment will give it an idea of how likely a driver is to fail the roadside English Proficiency Test and be placed out of service. Right now, with the new enforcement rules, anyone operating a commercial vehicle can be administered this roadside evaluation at the discretion of the official.

What kind of information does the assessment show that might help carriers understand their risk or success level with any one driver?

The assessment doesn’t guarantee that drivers will pass a roadside inspection, but it will serve as an indicator of which drivers are at risk. Once the assessment is complete, both the driver and carrier can see which answers were incorrect, which provides valuable feedback. Identifying what has been answered incorrectly will help determine where the carrier can provide extra support. 

There are multiple reasons why drivers may not follow a conversation in English. How can a carrier understand the problem?

The carrier’s solution may be as simple as conducting a mock inspection in the yard and having drivers practice an interaction in English with a member of the safety team.  

Does your app have settings to help drivers who speak languages other than Spanish? 

The CarriersEdge app supports French and Spanish, and much of the training content has been translated into those languages, as well. However, the roadside assessment will be conducted in English, so the assessment is only available in English.

FTR's Starks: Trucking 'stuck in this sluggish morass' 

The cautious optimism heading into 2025 has faded. Trucking isn’t where many expected it to be by midyear. FTR CEO Jonathan Starks thought the industry might have turned a corner by the end of 2024, but drastic increases of tariffs on foreign goods plus continued speculation about what's coming next has the industry "stuck in this sluggish morass."

The volume of containerized imports has again shifted to the East Coast and Gulf Coast after 2023 and 2024 were near-banner years for the West Coast. 

Why this matters: FTR is predicting a likely recession in the manufacturing sector. It enjoyed a strong first quarter, probably because of the threat of tariffs hitting in Q2 and beyond. (Heavy Duty Trucking)

No boot for you! North Carolina has a new law coming to prevent tow-truck drivers from booting trucks.

Truck orders drop: Orders for new trucks dropped 36% year over year.

Only opinions: What states do truckers hate driving through?

By a hair: A proposed bill would allow positive drug screenings obtained through hair testing to be entered into FMCSA's online drug and alcohol database.

"You've got to have a really good idea of who you are, what you move. What are your SLAs and your takt times to move it? And then to execute that."

—Andrew Jackson, AutoStore North American business development manager

How do you know if you have the best software to automate logistics? Or at least the right one for your size of operation? Or that it's really the time to automate? These can be hard questions to answer, especially if you're not an expert in automation, Jackson says. 

He was a guest on the SupplyChainBrain podcast, and he walks listeners through good practices and pitfalls when the time comes to automate or upgrade.

"You want to make sure you're not going to be stuck in that technology once you outgrow that sweet spot. You want to make sure that technology has some future-proofing to it."

Listen to the SupplyChainBrain podcast.

Best apps for smarter, safer routes

Standard GPS apps weren’t built for big rigs and using one could land you on a restricted road or under a low bridge. This guide reviews the top truck-specific navigation apps designed for real-world hauls, not shortcuts. It highlights tools like Trucker Path for parking and fuel data, Rand McNally TND for reliable offline routing, and Samsara Driver for fleets already using its platform. While Google Maps and Waze can be helpful, they lack essential features like weigh station alerts and truck-safe routing unless heavily customized.

Why this matters:  A missed turn or restricted road doesn’t just delay the load, it can cost you time, money and safety. It's always good to see what new apps come along every six months. (FreightWaves)

What road rules does the government waive in an emergency?

Authorities from the president to a state governor to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration can declare a road emergency during any major weather event or natural disaster. That signifies a change in the rules of the road for the affected areas.

Why this matters: Emergency exemptions can affect access to roads (even if they're open, they may not be open to semis), weight limits and types of loads. Even if drivers are providing assistance to emergency areas, if they have to drive through non-emergency states, they're still covered by an emergency exemption. (TruckingInfo)

Incentive program for zero-emission fleets in Northwest

The Northwest Seaport Alliance is launching an incentive for zero-emission trucks, starting with EV transport group Zeem Solutions. This will be Zeem's first venture into the Puget Sound area.

Why this matters: Although Zeem runs drayage trucks, this program marks the first step toward a bigger goal, which is to lure long-haul EV trucks to the region. The initiative is funded by a $6.2 million grant from the Washington State Department of Transportation. (FreightWaves)

Just the right light

If you haven't gone shopping for truck lights recently, prepare to be amazed by what products are coming to market, and are already there. These seven new lights make life on the road better for drivers and safer for all.

Why this matters: The easiest miles are the ones when there's little traffic, conditions are good and driving when the sun is down. That means drivers need as much help as they can get for visibility—their own and of their rig. Powerful LEDs, lights that prevent snow and ice buildup, special flash patterns...there's plenty to consider. (FleetOwner)

All eyes on confirmation hearings of Derek Barrs

Industry leaders will be watching and listening closely to the Senate confirmations for Derek Barrs, President Trump's nominee to lead the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration. Hearings before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation start Wednesday.

Why this matters: Barrs, who led the Florida Highway Patrol’s Office of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement from 2017-20, is a key policy-setter for restrictions (or not) on heavy vehicles. (FlaglerLive)

Thanks for reading today's edition! You can reach the newsletter team at editor@theinsidelane.co. We enjoy hearing from you.

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The Inside Lane is curated and written by Alan Schmadtke and edited by Bianca Prieto.