What Are FMCSA's New DataQ Rules?
The FMCSA unveiled a sweeping overhaul of the DataQ appeals process, mandating a three‑stage, independent review and strict timing requirements. States must open requests within seven days and issue initial decisions within 21 days, with separate reviewers handling each subsequent stage. Denial decisions now must include the decision‑maker’s name, evidence reviewed, and legal reasoning, and state compliance is tied to MCSAP grant eligibility. The new system is slated to go live about 150 days after the April 16 Federal Register notice.
Prime
Prime Inc., a top‑15 carrier with over 7,000 trucks, is spending more than $160 million to build a new regional hub near Griffin, Georgia, about 40 miles south of Atlanta. The 120‑plus‑job campus will host driver‑training centers, maintenance facilities and a...
What Is a Chameleon Carrier?
A 60 Minutes segment aired on April 12 introduced the term “Chameleon Carriers,” a fraud pattern long identified by CAB. The term describes carriers that shut down after violations and reappear under new names or operate multiple DOT numbers simultaneously to evade...
FMCSA Okays Third Paper Med Cert Waiver
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a third, likely final, waiver allowing commercial drivers to use paper medical certificates for up to 60 days after issuance. The exemption runs from April 11, 2026 through October 11, 2026 and covers all interstate CDL...
How to Implement AI in Fleet Management: From Dashboards to Workflows
The article argues that AI in fleet management is moving from isolated dashboards to direct incorporation within operational workflows. Success hinges on disciplined execution, data quality, and clear governance rather than the sophistication of the tools. Fleets that embed predictive...
Next Gen Engine Oil Gets Green Light
The American Petroleum Institute has approved new heavy‑duty engine oil specifications, CL‑4 and FB‑4, to support 2027 emissions standards, with licensing opening June 1, 2026. A federal court sentenced four individuals, including two trucking‑company owners, to a combined 99 months for a...
Mitigation Strategies to Fight Freight Fraud's Evolution
Freight fraud has surged, with a 117% jump in fraudulent email attempts reported for 2025. The threat has shifted from physical cargo theft to sophisticated identity hacks, phishing, and fake carrier impersonation. Industry leaders stress that carriers, brokers, shippers, and...
2026 State of Heavy-Duty Repair
Fullbay’s 2025 State of Heavy‑Duty Repair report delivers fresh benchmarks for shops and fleet managers grappling with rising costs and a tightening labor market. Technician wages rose 9.4% year‑over‑year, while the median shop labor rate climbed to $149 per hour,...
Why Your Freight Costs Are Rising Even When Volumes Stay Flat
Diesel prices surged to $5.64 per gallon, driven by the Iran‑U.S. conflict, adding roughly 40 cents per mile in fuel surcharges for truckload contracts. A DAT survey found 94% of carriers say higher fuel costs are shaping load decisions, while...
What Is Dedicated Contract Carriage? Myths Vs. Reality
Dedicated contract carriage (DDC) is a logistics model where a third‑party provider runs all trucking functions—equipment, drivers, maintenance, safety compliance, and branding—on behalf of a client. By outsourcing these responsibilities, companies can lower total transportation costs, eliminate regulatory burdens, and...
How to Combat Cyber-Enabled Cargo Theft: Insights From NMFTA
At its Spring Meeting in Savannah, the NMFTA highlighted the growing threat of cyber‑enabled cargo theft. A panel with Werner Enterprises, Johanson Transportation Service and NMFTA’s cybersecurity director stressed that any cargo theft should trigger immediate involvement of a company’s...
Fleets Recognized by ATA Safety, Security Councils
The American Trucking Associations honored top carriers at its 2026 Safety, Security & Human Resources Awards, recognizing A. Duie Pyle for driving over 100 million miles and ABF Freight for security excellence. A former cross‑border truck driver was sentenced to over four years in...
How Autonomous Technology Will Change Trucking Liability Law
The rise of autonomous trucking technology is reshaping liability law, moving responsibility from solely the driver to a broader set of parties including OEMs, software developers, and carriers. As Level 4 trucks automate driving functions, courts are likely to see more...
The Risks of Autonomous Vehicle Self-Certification in Freight
The article warns that allowing autonomous‑vehicle (AV) manufacturers to self‑certify their freight trucks could bypass critical safety oversight that human drivers currently undergo. It highlights the stark contrast between mandatory medical exams for Class 7/8 drivers and the proposed lack of...
How to Vet Trucking Fleet Vendors
The article outlines a structured approach for trucking companies to vet fleet vendors, emphasizing criteria beyond price such as experience, financial stability, and service‑level agreements. It advises firms to define their needs, issue RFPs, score proposals on expertise, cost and...