Trucking carriers are hungry for supplies of used trucks and trailers. If you're in the market for used equipment, the time to act might be…well, yesterday.

Plus, we’ve got a few helpful tips on experimenting with AI and using advanced telematics. And an update on policy as Trump’s “Freedom Haulers Initiative” and a new EPA proposal take center stage.

And coming to your inbox Thursday, our expert Q&A explores who wins and loses as intermodal heats up, and 5 ways carriers can position themselves in the current freight market. Spoiler alert: drayage carriers, you're in luck.

AVG. COST OF DIESEL PER GALLON IN U.S. AS OF 08/04, UP 0.035¢

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

Fast track. Trump announced his admin’s program called the "Freedom Haulers Initiative." The idea: streamline the process for veterans to get a CDL, especially if they had heavy vehicle experience during their military service. Alongside that, Werner committed to hiring 1,400 vets over the next year.

A different kind of hiring. Execs sometimes hesitate to employ drivers or staff with a criminal background. This video looks at one fleet that leaned into a second-chance program, and their words of wisdom for other companies that might want to do the same.

Telematics 101. Want to sound smart when talking to your boss about video telematics? This guide has everything you need to know about the technology and how it can benefit fleets. (sponsored)

On the calendar. Coming up Thursday, ATRI will host a virtual briefing on the operational costs of trucking. Details and (free) registration here.

There’s hope for the future! An intern at a trucking strategy firm went from thinking the industry was boring and lonely to understanding how interesting and important trucking is to the entire community 🚚 🚚 🚚

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On May 14, 2026 the Supreme Court ruled that brokers and carriers could be held liable by a state's negligence laws—a big increase in risk. You need to depend on your team to ensure your vehicles are compliant and your drivers perform complete DVIR routines to prove reasonable care has been taken. Comprehensive DVIR with photo evidence is the proof you need. And with Driveroo, it's fast, easy and automated.

Find out what makes for a compliant DVIR and get a free checklist in this instant-access guide.

Fighting through the AI noise

There’s a ton of talk and hype about AI in the supply chain. But there’s only one way to find out if the tech is truly useful for your business: take it for a (figurative) test drive.

“Don’t sit on the sidelines,” says Sherry Sanger, an EVP of strategy and marketing at Penske Transportation Solutions. “Find ways to experiment and try things at a small scale.” As one example, she shared that Penske is using AI for predictive maintenance, so the company can let a customer know proactively if there’s an issue that could lead to a breakdown.

Why this matters: We’ve heard this kind of advice before, but it bears repeating—especially when we’re hearing about AI non-stop and it’s hard to filter through the noise. Start with your biggest pain points, focus on outcomes over solutions. Test. Fail fast. Iterate. This is sage advice for trucking and for life. (Transport Topics)

SAFE ACT: Truck associations applaud bill to reveal chameleon carriers

TRUCK THEFT: Thieves stole 13 trucks and three trailers, valued at more than $1M

BRAKE SAFETY: Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance to focus on brakes, drums, rotors week of Aug. 23

PAY UP: Trucking firm to pay nearly $3M to settle misclassification suit

FREIGHT PREDICTION: EPA proposal around NOx will strengthen truck market in 2027, Paccar execs say

SCALING UP: Atlas Energy will expand Kodiak autonomous truck fleet to 100 vehicles in Permian Basin

Pessimistic view or reality check? Graft says higher freight rates aren’t necessarily resulting in bigger bottom lines for small carriers…yet, anyway. But he also says this trucking cycle looks different from past ones, and capacity likely isn’t flooding back into the market anytime soon. (FreightWaves)

Want a used truck or trailer? Act fast

Fleets are eating up used truck supply. The supply of heavy-duty truck inventory dropped almost 32% year-over-year in June, and fell nearly 7% from May. Inventories of used semi-trailers and medium-duty trucks are nose-diving too. That said, asking prices are flat—in some instances, they even declined.

Why this matters: Fleets in the market for used tractors and trailers might find their choices more limited than in the recent past. But on the bright side, even with tighter supply, they may be able to snag a good deal. If you’re thinking about adding or replacing a truck, now might be the time to act, before supply shrinks even more and prices go up. (CCJ Digital)

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The Inside Lane is curated and written by Shefali Kapadia, and edited by Bianca Prieto.