LLN (11/25/20) – Pennsylvania considers a weight allowance for electric trucks – while that state and Texas pursue revenue from alternative fuel vehicles. Also, the FMCSA has changed the definition of agricultural commodities, meaning a whole new group of truckers have access to the 150-air-mile exemption from the hours of service during harvest. We’ll have the latest on automated vehicles and broker transparency. And truckers in the Great American Southwest are speaking out about refusing cheap...
Nov 26, 2020•50 min
LLN (11/24/20) – Massachusetts’ governor wants tougher rules for trucks, while New Jersey tries to fix problems at its Motor Vehicle Commission. Also, your tires dislike the winter weather about as much as you do, but there are plenty of ways to make sure they keep running in the snow, sleet and cold. And a U.S. senator with a background in transportation may take over the Senate Commerce and Transportation Committee – just as work will start on a new highway bill. 0:00 – Newscast. 10:13 – More ...
Nov 25, 2020•50 min
LLN (11/23/20) – Getting your rig ready for winter involves a lot of parts. But what’s more important than where the rubber literally meets the road? Also, for truckers, the end of the year means gathering tax information. Finding good holiday presents on the road can be tough, but Land Line Magazine has a list of “cool gifts” perfect for stocking stuffers and presents. And it’s been a rough year for everyone. But truckers have stepped not only to keep the country moving, but also to speak out o...
Nov 24, 2020•50 min
LLN (11/20/20) – Want more truck parking? It’s not a pipe dream, but it’s your voice that’s going to push the issue across the finish line, and there’s a new way to get it done. People facing a ticket or citation often find themselves navigating a mine field of potential mistakes – here’s how to avoid them. Plus, which restaurants are open these days and confusion over the FMCSA’s two pilot programs for young drivers. 0:00 – Newscast. 10:13 – Avoiding ticket, citation mistakes. 25:06 – Restauran...
Nov 21, 2020•50 min
LLN (11/19/20) – Cargo thefts are spiking across the country, but there’s something different about the recent trend. Who’s behind it, what are they stealing and how can you protect yourself? The OOIDA Board of Directors had a full menu of items to address at its fall meeting, from hours of service and hair testing to much more. Plus, the battle over Bay Area bridge tolls and Pennsylvania efforts to ease up on uninsured drivers. 0:00 – Newscast 10:13 – OOIDA board of directors meeting 25:06 – Ba...
Nov 20, 2020•50 min
LLN (11/18/20) – If you know a trucking family in need, the Truckers Christmas Group is ready to help. And now is the time. Also, for truckers who are working on holidays, a decent meal can be hard to find. But Meals for 18 Wheels is stepping up again to help. The OOIDA Mary Johnston Scholarship has helped truckers’ children and grandchildren achieve their dreams. Now, the search for new scholars is underway. Demand for trucks is starting to slip, but holiday freight and COVID lockdowns will con...
Nov 19, 2020•50 min
LLN (11/17/20) – Truckers have long wanted tougher rules regarding brokers and transparency. This week, they have a chance to speak out, but not for long. Also, getting good, affordable medical insurance right now is a little bit like hunting for unicorns. However, for truckers who need insurance and don’t have it, there are options and precautions you can take. And a lawmaker in Texas wants to raise that state’s fuel tax, while Pennsylvania considers tightening rules for when and how CDL holder...
Nov 18, 2020•50 min
LLN (11/16/20) – A trucking terminal has been accused of discrimination for not hiring a female truck driver in more than 30 years. We’ll talk with some experts about the case and the bigger issue: discrimination against women in the industry. Also, hiring on a driver might make good business sense in the moment, but there are plenty of things to keep in mind before you do – including the long-lasting effects a hired driver can have on your insurance rates. And now that we have a lame duck Congr...
Nov 17, 2020•50 min
LLN (11/13/20) – It’s Day 5 of the 2020 OOIDA Truckers for Troops Telethon. The founders of Veterans Community Project wanted to do more to help veterans transitioning to civilian life. And that desire has led to a new project. Also, we’ve talked this week about tiny houses to help homeless veterans – but what are they like inside? And we’ll check in with OOIDA’s Membership Department about what truckers are saying as they call in. 0:00 – Newscast. 10:13 – What are veterans’ tiny houses like ins...
Nov 14, 2020•50 min
LLN (11/12/20) – It’s Day 4 of the 2020 OOIDA Truckers for Troops campaign. Navy veteran Mike Gilmore says he was at the end of his rope. Today, he credits Veterans Community Project with saving his life. Also, Veterans Community Project isn’t just for veterans. It’s also run by veterans. And that’s one of the factors that makes it work, according to their president of national expansion. And we’ll check in with OOIDA’s Membership Department about what truckers are saying as they call in – inclu...
Nov 13, 2020•50 min
LLN (11/11/20) – It’s Day 3 of the 2020 OOIDA Truckers for Troops campaign. We’ll hear from one veteran who had a chance encounter that helped put him in a home, and a better life. Also, the Veterans Community Project helps veterans with so-called “tiny houses.” So why did they? And finally, truckers are donating in the name of their service branch – we’ll find out who’s winning the friendly competition. 0:00 – Newscast. 10:13 – Veteran finds a new home. 25:06 – Why tiny houses? 40:04 – Which se...
Nov 12, 2020•50 min
LLN (11/10/20) – It’s day 2 of the 2020 OOIDA Truckers for Troops campaign. You might think someone who has held statewide office would know how to navigate the system. But even people with that experience sometimes need help, and the Veterans Community Project is there. Also, since the start, Truckers for Troops has prioritized supporting U.S. troops by sending care packages paid for by your donations. And that continues. We’ll hear from one of our troops who received a care package. And we’ll ...
Nov 11, 2020•50 min
LLN (11/9/20) – It’s day 1 of the 2020 OOIDA Truckers for Troops campaign – the Association’s annual effort to raise money to send care packages to troops overseas, and now to help homeless veterans by supporting the Veterans Community Project. Also, one of the founders of the Veterans Community Project, Vincent Morales, explains a few of the basics about the project. And something that sets the Veterans Community Project apart is that most of the people who run it are veterans themselves. Glend...
Nov 10, 2020•50 min
LLN (11/6/20) – Jon Osburn continues to keep track of truck stop restaurants as he fields questions about broker transparency, detention time and the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, some truckers are always looking the latest, greatest thing to attach to their rig to make it look hotter or work better. So what’s the hottest mod available for your truck right now? And Tesla is pushing full speed ahead on its new self-driving system with plans to put it on American highways. But OOIDA has told federal of...
Nov 07, 2020•49 min
LLN (11/5/20) – OOIDA has stepped up to support a pilot program testing a break that would stop the hours of service 14-hour on-duty clock, while the FMCSA seeks nominations for an advisory board and another pilot program tests under-age-21 drivers. Also, Tuesday wasn’t just about the presidency. Hundreds, perhaps thousands of other so-called “down-ballot” races were decided – as well as many local transportation issues. Inspectors have set a record this year – the most remote, off-site audits o...
Nov 06, 2020•50 min
LLN (11/4/20) – A trucker discusses how he helped bring an Amber Alert to a peaceful end, while another trucker gets hit by a truck – and lives to tell the tale. Also, Utah officials take aim at a notoriously dangerous stretch of highway with a new type of escape ramp. From weather to van volumes to COVID-19, numerous forces are shaping the market heading into November. And the balance of power in the U.S. House and Senate is changing once again. So what does that mean for trucking issues – and ...
Nov 05, 2020•50 min
LLN (11/3/20) – Some time ago, OOIDA was able to get a state regulation taken off the books before it ever went into effect. Also, hoping to clean up your motor vehicle record? The process isn’t quite that simple. We’ll offer some tips from Road Law. And while we wait for final election results, what states are the key places to watch and why? 0:00 – Newscast. 10:14 – Motor vehicle records and “masking.” 25:06 – Getting a bad state regulation off the books. 40:04 – Election 2020 – which states t...
Nov 04, 2020•50 min
LLN (11/2/20) – In a week, this year’s Truckers for Troops Telethon will raise money to support our troops and veterans. But during tomorrow’s election, some veterans will serve their country again, this time at the polling place. Also, tomorrow’s election will be a far different one than any of us has ever seen. We’ll have a preview of that, plus the latest on hours of service. Making good trucking policy depends on having reliable facts. And the OOIDA Foundation spends a lot of time gathering ...
Nov 03, 2020•50 min
LLN (10/30/20) – A prominent U.S. senator wants to tighten up trucking regulations in the wake of a newspaper’s investigative report. But will his solution solve the actual problem? Also, from a trucker who helped resolve an Amber Alert to whoever hit a trucker walking in a truck stop parking lot, we’ll offer up some Roses and Razzberries. And Jon Osburn is hearing from East Coast truckers who have complaints about New Jersey, concerns about recent protests, and anger about broker transparency. ...
Oct 31, 2020•51 min
LLN (10/29/20) – A proposal now on the table would simply ensure longstanding broker transparency regulations are enforced. That’s what OOIDA President Todd Spencer told an FMCSA listening session earlier this week. Also, we’ll tell you more about a Labor Department attempt to clarify who is an employee or contractor. Washington state’s Supreme Court has ruled on a controversial fee there, while Pennsylvania continues toward revising its “steer clear” law. And in addition to various organization...
Oct 30, 2020•51 min
LLN (10/28/20) – Some truckers who have filed a required form have discovered that FMCSA never acted on it – which could expose them to a big fine or worse. We’ll explain what you need to do. Also, growing signs indicate the spot market is cooling off as rates for all equipment types plateau. Every year, a group of truckers help the neediest families in the industry during the holiday season – and that group needs you to step up and help them carry out that mission. And the U.S. Labor Department...
Oct 29, 2020•51 min
LLN (10/27/20) – The head of the ATA took aim at trial lawyers in some recent remarks. So what has him riled up, and what does it mean to you? Also, bookkeeping is kind of like getting a shot at the doctor’s office – you endure a little pain now to avoid a lot more later. We’ll explain what you need to do. And voters throughout the San Francisco Bay area will soon decide on several transportation issues. 0:00 – Newscast. 10:13 – Bookkeeping. 25:06 – San Francisco-area ballot issues. 39:49 – ATA’...
Oct 28, 2020•51 min
LLN (10/26/20) – Whether Election Night ends with a red wall or a blue wave, truckers will see the effects. With that in mind, we take a look at the implications of each scenario. A new study paints a bleak picture of the pandemic as it relates to truckers. The author tells us why truckers are in the crosshairs. Plus, the cost of insurance is going back up again. We’ll explain why and offer tips on lowering them. 0:00 – Newscast 10:13 – Truckers in the pandemic crosshairs 25:06 – Fight back agai...
Oct 27, 2020•51 min
LLN (10/23/20) – Don’t play games with your money – getting your own authority is a big decision, and with most big decisions, you don’t want to dive in head first – so we break down the questions you need to ask before taking the leap. From sloppy facemasks to Election Day worries, what truckers are telling the skipper of the OOIDA tour truck these days. Plus, your comments are needed on a proposal that would hash out the difference between an employee and an independent contractor. 0:00 – News...
Oct 24, 2020•51 min
LLN (10/22/20) – Are leased-on owner-operators contractors or employees? Truckers have a chance to express themselves to federal regulators on the issue. Also, earlier this year, protests broke out over the issue of broker transparency. Now, truckers have a chance to tell federal regulators directly what they want to see on that issue. An Alabama bill would spell out how license plate readers can be used there, while Pennsylvania considers whether to allow electric-powered semis to weigh more th...
Oct 23, 2020•51 min
LLN (10/21/20) – Thanks to a work clothing company and a well-known restaurant, truckers can get a free meal, no strings attached. Also: a company finds a way to prevent those LED headlights from freezing up in winter, while another has the honor of transporting the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree from Colorado to Washington, D.C. Rates are beginning to flatten but are still high for October thanks to imbalanced networks and tight capacity. And tomorrow, the two candidates for president of the Unite...
Oct 22, 2020•51 min
LLN (10/20/20) – The election is a scant two weeks away – and it could completely change the picture as far as how trucking is regulated. Also, the economy may be sputtering along, but there is room for optimism. And one expert who was bullish a few months back is even more bullish now. And several local California governments are seeking more road money from voters, while a statewide effort would push more transit work. 0:00 – Newscast. 10:14 – The economy and trucking. 25:06 – Paying for Calif...
Oct 21, 2020•51 min
LLN (10/19/20) - The FMCSA is asking truckers for their views on broker transparency – an effort spurred by an OOIDA petition; we’ll have an update. Also, OOIDA’s Truckers for Troops campaign is sharpening its focus this year, still sending care packages to troops but also helping homeless veterans turn their lives around. And the October issue of Land Line Magazine has reminders about the election, chain laws and more. 0:00 – Newscast. 10:14 – Truckers for Troops preview. 25:06 – October issue ...
Oct 20, 2020•51 min
LLN (10/16/20) – Truckers have questions about the recent changes to the hours of service, ranging from how to use the new sleeper berth rules, the 30-minute break and the short haul exemption – we’ll get some answers. Also, some warnings about quirks in how the rules may be enforced. Jon Osburn is seeing and hearing about the lack of decent truck parking in the Northeastern U.S. Meanwhile, he’s also offering some news – good and bad – about truck stop restaurants. We’ll have information about b...
Oct 17, 2020•51 min
LLN (10/15/20) – Should brokers provide information about what loads pay to truckers? OOIDA calls for broker transparency, and the FMCSA wants to hear from drivers on the topic. Also, a chance to get be part of greater driver input at FMCSA and three upcoming chances for truckers to speak out. Wyoming is getting closer to charging truckers and other road users by the mile, while Michigan works on their own plan for how to pay for roads. What lessons and information have we learned about COVID-19...
Oct 16, 2020•51 min
