Margins tight? Shift your strategy

Plus: FMCSA removes five ELDs | Small fleets financial squeeze

Balance sheet looking red? Turns out, many small carriers are feeling the pinch, but we're sharing one expert's take on the best ways to use spot market data and network design to boost profits.

Also in today's issue, more than 5,000 truck drivers have had their licenses revoked due to English proficiency violations, while lawmakers want to further codify English rules related to CDLs.

And while you're here, check out this truck's dashcam video of a cop actually being in the right place at the right time. Now, let's get into it 🚚

⬇️ $3.620

AVG. COST OF DIESEL PER GALLON IN U.S. AS OF 10/20, DOWN -0.045¢

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

ROADSIDE READS

Coming up. Industry stakeholders will gather later this week in San Diego for the American Trucking Association's Management Conference & Exhibition. The big discussion: a new era of policy and regulation.

Are you compliant? These five ELDs have been removed from the FMCSA's list of registered devices. Check to see if the ones you use are on this list.

Calif. funding pull. Watch Secretary Sean Duffy explain why the DOT is withholding more than $40M in funding from the state.

Home time. One trucker celebrates his transition from OTR to a local job in this short video.

INDUSTRY VOICES

The secret to greater profits in slow freight rate recovery

When it comes to maximizing earnings in a down market, it's not about chasing one lane with the highest rate. It's about a more holistic picture. Mariah Barr of Truckstop.com writes, "the most profitable lanes aren’t necessarily the ones that offer the most profit for the single, quoted trip, but are the ones that restore balance, reduce empty miles, and keep drivers and equipment on the move."

Why this matters: The savviest carriers look beneath the surface to manage their fleet in a profitable way. Barr recommends using historical spot market data, network design and, of course, strong relationships to build an optimally priced business. (CCJ Digital)

FAST LANE

CASE CLOSED: Wabash settles nuclear verdict, down from $460M

DRIVER CRACKDOWN: States revoke 5,500 truckers' licenses over English proficiency

MIXED PICTURE: TL volumes up while LTL falls, Cass shows

TARIFF COMING: Heavy-duty truck tariffs start Nov. 1

WEIGHT LIMIT: Home Depot, Target call for heavier truck weights

JAIL TIME: Grand jury indicts "27 miles of terror" driver for murder, DUI

SEEN & HEARD

"How are [dispatchers] protecting your information? You're giving them all these PINs and passwords and stuff like that. Stop doing that."- Robert “Pedro” Peterson, Synergy Freight

Peterson advises carriers to stop sharing sensitive information as one way to guard against freight or identity theft. On the "This Week in Trucking" podcast, he also shares how to spot fake loads, verify brokers, protect against scams and identify red flags. (This Week in Trucking)

ROAD REPORT

Tech gap or hype gap?

Rising maintenance costs are hitting everyone—but not every small fleet is struggling to keep up. While it's true that micro-carriers often lack the capital for fleet maintenance software, that doesn’t mean they're flying blind. Many rely on experience, tight operations and minimal overhead to stay efficient without digital tools.

That said, there is a widening gap in how fleets manage their assets. According to Tech.co’s Managing Costs in Logistics 2025 report, only 14% of fleets with 1–4 vehicles use maintenance software, compared to 56% of fleets with 50+ vehicles. Larger carriers are better positioned to invest in tech like predictive diagnostics and telematics—tools that can reduce downtime and squeeze more life out of every truck.

Why it matters: The problem isn’t just rising costs, it’s uneven access to solutions. Small fleets don’t necessarily need all the latest software, but without affordable tools or support, they risk falling behind as operational complexity and fuel volatility grow. (Tech.co)

Download the full report from Tech.co to see how more than 1,500 logistics professionals are responding to cost pressure in 2025.

AGENDA

Congress looks to codify truck driver English rules

Multiple bills introduced in the Senate and House are taking aim at truck drivers’ English requirements. The latest one would require all testing for commercial driver’s license issuances or renewals to be conducted in English. It would also give the DOT authority to suspend a state’s ability to issue non-domiciled CDLs if it fails to comply with federal standards.

Why this matters: It's clear that some lawmakers want change when it comes to CDL enforcement. Questions remain on (a) whether the bills will even pass, and (b) what the legislation might do in the short and long term to driver capacity. (FreightWaves)