Rising transport costs concerns shippers

Plus: FMCSA targets 550 'sham' CDL schools | Bill takes aim at 'chameleon carriers'

From a federal crackdown on CDL schools to bills that would dissolve chameleon carriers, we're sharing the latest regulatory news related to trucking.

Plus, do you operate near one of the biggest trucking bottlenecks in the country? Find out where they are below.

⬆️ $3.809

AVG. COST OF DIESEL PER GALLON IN U.S. AS OF 02/23, UP 0.098¢

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

ROADSIDE READS

A growth story. How one trucking company expanded its mom-and-pop operation into a $50 million business.

Traffic jam. Where are the biggest bottlenecks for trucking? This map lays them out.

Truck vs. train. This article dives deep into the ways Union Pacific's acquisition of Norfolk Southern, if approved, would change the dynamics of the freight market.

In memoriam. Dr. John McElligott, co-founder of the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund, has passed away at the age of 80.

INDUSTRY VOICES

Separating reality from hype in trucking technology

With so many trucking technologies and software solutions on the market, how can a fleet executive begin to evaluate them?

Michael Roeth, executive director of the North American Council for Freight Efficiency, says start with some desk research, then speak with the tech or product manufacturer. But he also warns that manufacturers' "claims are often based on best-case scenarios," so fleet execs should speak to their peers to understand how the product might behave in the real world.

Why this matters: Sometimes it's easy to get swept up in the X% increase in efficiency or $Y reduction in cost that a tech manufacturer touts for their product. Getting input from fellow fleet execs can keep managers grounded in reality. (Fleet Owner)

FAST LANE

TARIFF RULING: Customs halts tariff collection after SCOTUS rules them illegal

CDL CRACKDOWN: FMCSA says they discovered 550 “sham” CDL training schools

EMISSION STANDARDS: ATA writes letter to EPA to reevaluate heavy-duty NOx rules

SAFE ACT: Bill takes aim at "chameleon carriers," closing and reopening with new name

UNSAFE RULES: Truck Safety Coalition opposes 13 bills in Congress

GAS BILL: New legislation would put federal ceiling on state fuel taxes

CARGO CRIME: More than half of cargo theft concentrated in 2 states

SEEN & HEARD

"In the AI boom ... there's a lot of equipment that's needed, a lot of logistics behind it, a lot of robust supply chains that are needed to support this kind of new world that we're in.”- Thomas Massalone, president, Pinch Transport

Massalone has seen an uptick in businesses, and in part, he credits one particularly booming industry: AI. With an increased need for power and data centers to fuel artificial intelligence comes more business for service providers, including the logistics and trucking industry. (Talking Transports)

ROAD REPORT

Cost is shippers' top priority in carrier partnerships

Even with the Supreme Court's tariff ruling, the majority of shippers—97%—expect tariffs to increase their transportation costs this year, according to a new 2026 State of Transportation Report. Because of that, cost is shippers' top consideration when partnering with a carrier. But businesses are also paying attention to carriers' financial stability, safety scores, fraud insurance and compliance.

Why this matters: Understanding shippers' priorities and concerns can help trucking owners appropriately position and market their business—retaining current customers and possibly earning additional new partners. (CCJ Digital)

CONNECTED FLEET

Safety technology alters, aids truck driver training

Safety tech and telematics are reshaping the ways fleets train their drivers. With telematics dashboards, trucking managers can spot patterns in braking or accelerating and coach drivers to improve. Similarly, camera technology can monitor fatigue or distraction, and executives can use those risk events to shape driver training.

Why this matters: The way fleet executives trained their drivers a decade ago will differ from today's techniques. With more tools at their disposal, trucking managers can shape and inform driver training in specific ways, leading to more efficient coaching and a safer fleet. (Truck News)