Newsletter Archive

Estimated 4% of truck drivers aren't properly licensed

Plus: How Walmart and Amazon redefined truck ownership

Truck drivers are in the news this week. The DOT is pushing ahead with English proficiency enforcement, and separately, a handful of drivers have been found operating trucks without proper CDLs.

Meanwhile, big fleets are making moves: FedEx's freight spinoff has a new CEO, and XPO is tapping into AI.

Plus, what steps can fleet and 3PL execs take to combat increasingly sophisticated freight fraud—and could we see a spike in thefts this holiday weekend?

ROADSIDE READS

"The language of opportunity." Dept. of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stood beside leaders from OOIDA, Texas DOT and Texas Trucking Association after he rescinded Obama-era guidance and signed a new order around English proficiency enforcement for truck drivers.

What we're reading. This blog post exploring how Walmart and Amazon have redefined truck ownership and owner-operator models.

The alt to alt fuels. The conversation about "clean trucking" often centers on electric vehicles. But the truth is, there are plenty of advancements to make diesel trucks more fuel efficient too, as Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America, says in this interview.

Long weekend. Cargo thefts can spike over holiday weekends, and this article offers some tips to safeguard freight with Memorial Day coming up. Do you use any of these strategies?

IN NUMBERS

50%

The month-over-month decline in orders for trailers in April, per FTR. The firm said tariffs and retaliatory measures are creating higher production costs and pricier imported materials, leading fleets to pull back spending on new equipment.

Source: DC Velocity

INDUSTRY VOICES

Sophisticated freight fraud schemes require a careful approach

Freight fraud isn't just about criminals sneaking into trailers and walking away with the goods. There are phishing and brokerage scams, identity theft and much more that fleet execs have to watch out for.

Sam Burkhan, CEO of asset-based 3PL ITF Group, writes that fraud costs carriers and 3PLs an average of more than $40,000 per load.

For that reason, "carriers and 3PLs must now be more vigilant than ever, closely monitoring every step in their operations," Burkhan writes.

Why this matters: As schemes and bad actors become more sophisticated, so must the protective measures to fight them. Burkhan recommends being as through as possible in the vetting process and training drivers on fraud prevention best practices.

Get more details at CCJ Digital.

FAST LANE

NEW HONCHO: CEO named for FedEx Freight spinoff

SEAT SWITCH: Aurora puts truckers in front seat of PACCAR trucks

APPLE HEIST: $287K of Apple products stolen from truck

STATE STANDARD: U.S. Senate moves to block Calif. EV regs

ROAD REPORT

Concerning number of truck drivers lack valid CDLs

A new analysis of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration data revealed some unsettling results. About 4% of drivers operating trucks on U.S. highways don't have the proper license to do so.

Why this matters: While 4% may seem like a small proportion, it's still higher than zero, putting everyone on the road at risk. This analysis shows that drivers are operating heavy-duty vehicles without the right licenses, and fleets may not be conducting their due diligence if truckers are out on the road without valid CDLs. (FreightWaves)

Port of LA volume dipped, but what's to come?

In the first week of May, inbound freight into the Port of Los Angeles fell 30% due to tariffs, with effects rippling to warehouse workers and truck drivers. But that was before the U.S. and China paused higher tariffs as the countries work to broker a trade deal.

Why this matters: It's difficult to project what will happen to imports, but shippers may rush in freight during the 90-day tariff pause, which would increase cargo volumes for the port and trucking firms. Fleet owners, small and large, will have to decide how they want to allocate capacity if volumes do rise. (Transport Topics)

States mull lawsuit reform that could impact trucking

Multiple states are considering tort reform measures, which could limit damages a plaintiff could file against a defendant such as a trucking company. An Arkansas measure focused on "phantom damages," so that only actual medical costs would be covered in a crash, but tort reform measures in Minnesota, Nebraska, Oklahoma and South Carolina didn't pass.

Why this matters: Trucking companies are increasingly facing aggressive lawsuits and massive verdicts as the public looks to hold fleets accountable in the event of a crash. If liability rules change, it could lower or level out operational and insurance costs for fleets. (Land Line)

CONNECTED FLEET

XPO 'supercharging' operations with AI

Logistics giant XPO is applying artificial intelligence to its LTL operations. The goal: cut down the distance freight travels and the number of times it's handled. In one example, AI in the TMS instructs workers on how to load a trailer, so freight doesn't need to be moved more than necessary.

Why this matters: Efficiency is key for carriers, especially in today's freight market. If AI can recommend routes and loads, it could go a long way toward helping fleets maintain their margins. (Trucking Dive)