LLN (3/31/21) – In 1979, a new television series called the “Dukes of Hazzard” launched the career of an aspiring actor and singer. Now, 42 years, 167 acting roles, and more than a dozen hits on the country music charts later, it’s a fair bet that most people in America know who John Schneider is. And in his latest efforts, he pays tribute to America’s truck drivers. Also, on this week’s Market Update we’ll continue the discussion about whether it’s a good time to buy a truck – as well as how th...
Apr 01, 2021•51 min
LLN (3/30/21) – Wyoming is a step closer to putting tolls on Interstate 80, while Alaska considers doubling its fuel tax. Also, a bill to create more truck parking spaces is now in Congress. OOIDA has issued a national Call to Action, and we’ll have the details. More than a few things factor into fuel consumption, and your tires are one of them. We’ll discuss how to maximize fuel efficiency by paying attention to what you’re running on – and how to make adjustments if needed. And what exactly do...
Mar 31, 2021•51 min
LLN (3/29/21) – Late last week, a new version of the bill to expand truck parking nationwide was introduced into the new session of Congress. We’ll rate the bill’s chances and discuss proposed highway bill provisions to fund more enforcement and more tolling. Also, the Government Accountability Office, an internal watchdog agency, has issued a study about drug and alcohol testing data. And while that may sound technical and bureaucratic, truckers could be affected by any action taken as a result...
Mar 30, 2021•51 min
LLN (3/26/21) – Two issues that always come up at truck shows are the ongoing problems with brokers and lease-purchase plans. So our virtual trip to the Mid-America Trucking Show continues with a visit from OOIDA’s business services department. Also, our virtual MATS would not be complete without some fun – big shiny show trucks, great music, the newest cool gadget, and of course, all the great people you see there every year. And every year, MATS takes place about the same time as March Madness...
Mar 27, 2021•51 min
LLN (3/25/21) – It’s our virtual Mid-America Trucking Show. First, the big show in Louisville is where we first meet new federal officials, a place for education seminars, and a chance to update truckers on the latest regulatory news. Also, Missouri is inching closer to raising its fuel tax for the first time in 25 years, while Utah is on the cusp of sending more than a billion new dollars into highway funding. And the Mid-America Trucking Show is a chance to get educated – about things like the...
Mar 26, 2021•51 min
LLN (3/24/21) – Will you have to have a COVID-19 vaccination to get a medical card? Is the government going to shut down 1999 and older trucks? Those are some of the rumors going around right now in trucking. But the thing about rumors is some are true and some are false. Our panel of experts separate fact from fiction. Also, DAT gets asked all the time whether it’s a good time to buy a truck. We’ll cover that – and take a look at how trends in freight and rates can help answer that question. An...
Mar 25, 2021•51 min
LLN (3/23/21) – As we move from season to season, we have to get our vehicles ready. Winter prep for trucks usually gets the most attention, but you also need to ensure you keep your truck at top efficiency during the summer. Also, it may be spring, but three states are still talking about removing snow and ice from atop vehicles, while Idaho considers quadrupling the money used for a state highway program. And the highway or infrastructure bill could well determine the course of the trucking in...
Mar 24, 2021•51 min
LLN (3/22/21) - Normally, the trucking world would be gearing up for the Mid-America Trucking Show right about now. However, we’re not – and that spells trouble for certain charitable organizations that depend on shows to keep the lights on. Also, we’ll report on a convoy that will go on as scheduled this spring and how you can take part – and an Arizona DOT effort to combat human trafficking. The application process for hauling containers can be a bit like updating your Facebook status when you...
Mar 23, 2021•51 min
LLN (3/19/21) – Going back more than six decades, infrastructure – particularly the highway part – has been a bipartisan issues. Both parties acknowledged the need and the cost and worked together. Will that happen again with the highway bill now being cooked up in Congress? Also, for several weeks, the OOIDA Foundation has been producing a series of free, online classes that explain the various steps in getting your own authority. We’ll tell you about the newest offering in that series. Attorne...
Mar 20, 2021•51 min
LLN (3/18/21) – Momentum seems to be building to do away with the annual time changes associated with daylight saving time, with 30 of the 50 states considering legislation. Also, the National Transportation Safety Board wants to see some standards set for vehicle automation – and Tesla Motors is high up on their list. OOIDA makes it views known on some proposed changes to vision standards, while a school bus company wants a lighter touch on drug testing because of the cost. And an upcoming proj...
Mar 19, 2021•51 min
LLN (3/17/21) – The pandemic has changed all our lives. We’ll have stories of two truckers who can make that case better than most. One is doing what he can to bring about tears of joy across the U.S.-Canada border. The other has a new nickname thanks to his bout with COVID-19 – the “Miracle Man.” Also, produce season is kicking into high gear, which is good news for reefer haulers. And Congress is moving more and more into using transportation policy to deal with climate concerns – and that inc...
Mar 18, 2021•50 min
LLN (3/16/21) – Talk in our nation’s capital is that Congress is contemplating a truck-only VMT – or vehicle miles traveled tax – to help balance the highway trust fund. And that is not sitting well with OOIDA. Also, truckers have been asking about when, where and how they can get a COVID-19 vaccination. But there isn’t just one vaccine, and each has advantages and disadvantages. We’ll offer up some insights and advice. And a Missouri effort to protect truckers from nonconsensual towing is gaini...
Mar 17, 2021•51 min
LLN (3/15/21) - Speed limiters are back in the news, because some in our nation’s capital want them back in the new highway bill. We’ll cover those and other likely provisions in that legislation. Also, people facing a ticket or citation often find themselves navigating a minefield of potential mistakes – mistakes that can cost money, license points and CSA problems. So how do you avoid those mistakes? And we’ll get a look at what features make up the March/April issue of Land Line Magazine – fr...
Mar 16, 2021•51 min
LLN (3/12/21) – Jon Osburn remains in Cajun country, enjoying good food and hearing about everything from rates and fuel prices to questions about COVID-19 vaccinations and the PRO Act, which would take California’s ABC Test national. Also, a while back, we covered some of the cheesier mods some truckers add to their rigs. Today, we’ll discuss more cheesy mods, including big teeth on winter fronts and super tall shifter sticks. And a bill that would allow people under 21 years of age to drive co...
Mar 13, 2021•51 min
LLN (3/11/21) – At a recent forum, vehicle automation received a lot of play among federal officials, who see a shift in that direction as inevitable. Also, who can use the left lane, and under what circumstances? It may seem obvious, but lawmakers in nine states may change those rules – and most are focused on moving slower traffic more forcefully to the right. And earlier this week at a research forum, FMCSA offered up statistics on the causes of fatal wrecks involving trucks. However, what th...
Mar 12, 2021•51 min
LLN (3/10/21) – A bill in Congress would take California’s controversial definition of who is or is not an independent contractor – the so-called ABC Test – and make it a national standard. Also, every year, the OOIDA Foundation takes a look at some of the factors that can affect the success of truck drivers. And high up on the list is the price that shippers pay to move freight. We’ll review the latest freight rate survey – plus some new online classes on getting your own authority. And there’s...
Mar 11, 2021•50 min
LLN (3/9/21) – If you’re one of the many drivers who carry a handgun in the cab, even if you are following the letter of the law, you could find yourself in trouble. Also, what is the biggest mistake truckers make after getting a traffic ticket in their personal vehicles? For several years now, various states have battled over whether or not to use tolls to raise money for road work. Now, seven states have joined the list of those considering or opposing tolling their highways. And the White Hou...
Mar 10, 2021•51 min
LLN (3/8/21) – The ATA is once again pushing for speed limiters in trucks, and OOIDA has stepped up to oppose the move. Also, Congress continues to slowly move toward the next highway bill. In Missouri, OOIDA has been trying to get a towing reform bill passed for years. We’ll report on the new push to provide more protections for truckers. The recent winter storm in Texas disrupted refinery output. We’ve seen the short-term effects. Now we’ll discuss the possible long-term effects with an expert...
Mar 09, 2021•51 min
LLN (3/5/21) – Today is the anniversary of Jason Rivenburg’s murder. The trucker’s death during a robbery – due in part to the lack of safe available parking where he was – helped spark the national movement to fix the truck parking crisis. So where does the effort stand? We’ll have an update. Also, from a governor who treats trucks like rolling piggy banks to a trucker who stepped up to help others during an icy pileup, we’ll tell you who in recent news has been good and who’s been bad with som...
Mar 06, 2021•51 min
LLN (3/4/21) – A federal agency is indicating that a single-dose COVID vaccine may soon roll out to truckers via truck stops, while Canada struggles to roll out its ELD rule. Also, OOIDA has spoken out on behalf of truckers on adding the ICC bumper to annual inspections and a rule to clarify who is and is not an independent contractor, while Congress moves toward confirming a top DOT nominee. And North Dakota lawmakers are slowly but surely moving toward allowing longer, heavier trucks reminisce...
Mar 05, 2021•51 min
LLN (3/3/21) – The Department of Labor has delayed a rule to clarify who is and is not an independent contractor, while a bill in Congress could implement the ABC test nationwide. Also, hauling 139 years of history across seven city blocks through the heart of San Francisco is a tough job, but somebody had to do it. And somebody did. We’ll hear from the man who was behind the wheel when a Victorian mansion went on the move. And backups at the ports are creating a ripple effect, boosting rates on...
Mar 04, 2021•51 min
LLN (3/2/21) – April 15th is famous for a lot of reasons, but the date is remembered by most people because it’s the annual deadline to file federal income taxes. We’ll go over what paperwork and information you need now to file taxes then. Also, are your state’s speed limits too slow, too fast, or too different for different types of vehicles? Eight states are taking action to fix what they see as speed limit problems. And President Biden has nominated a person with a long resume in transportat...
Mar 03, 2021•51 min
LLN (3/1/21) – Missouri lawmakers are taking another stab at reforming police-dispatched towing, and OOIDA will join other trucking groups to speak out in favor of it. Also, ever see those trucks that have the spiky lug nut covers – like they’re trying to imitate the bad guy’s chariot in Ben Hur? It’s one of many cheesy mods trucks make to their rigs. We’ll discuss the upsides and downsides of a few of those with Bryan Martin of the Chrome Shop Mafia. And Senior Editor Mark Schremmer and Digital...
Mar 02, 2021•51 min
LLN (2/26/21) – Changes have been made to the PPP – or Paycheck Protection Program – that should make it easier for you to get some much needed help. Also, why more drivers are complaining of getting stuck under loads, and knocking down some road rumors about CARB, the COVID-19 vaccine and medical card renewals. Jon Osburn has plenty to deal with, from frigid weather and rising fuel prices to the continued restrictions from COVID-19; meanwhile, he’s keeping track of which truck stop restaurants ...
Feb 27, 2021•50 min
LLN (2/25/21) – The recent record cold in Texas may soon have a significant impact on your life – especially the price you pay for fuel. We’ll explain what’s happening, how it might affect you, and what you can do about it. Also, the Department of Labor is tweaking its definition of who or is not an independent contractor, and OOIDA says they need to ensure leased owner-operators can still operate as one. And Indiana is a step closer to allowing significantly heavier trucks on its roads, while P...
Feb 26, 2021•50 min
LLN (2/24/21) – The diesel price at the pump is going up. We’ll explain why, where the biggest increases are and how you can save some fuel and money. Also, getting your own authority? It’s not as easy as some people think. But you can get help to make the process as easy as possible – including from free classes online. Last week’s arctic weather may be gone, but the after effects continue to linger in the freight market. And President Biden has frequently used the phrase “build back better” to...
Feb 25, 2021•50 min
LLN (2/23/21) – Truckers are often advised to keep an eye on their driving record. The problem is, every trucker has more than one, and each can have a huge impact on a trucker’s life. We’ll have some advice on managing your MVR, PSP and DAC. Also, 11 states are eyeing fuel tax changes, from increases and freezes to letting cities collect their own. And most of them would increase what you pay at the pump. And recent changes in the Paycheck Protection Program are designed to put the smallest bus...
Feb 24, 2021•50 min
LLN (2/22/21) – From a U.S. Army veteran who took it upon herself to feed hungry truckers stranded in Mississippi and the truck stop in Kentucky getting national recognition for all the right reasons – to a mobile exhibit that pays respect to those who gave their lives for their country, truckers are carrying out or honoring service. Also, hauling vehicles means increased risk, and that you should be prepared to answer a bunch of questions when seeking coverage. We’ll explain what to expect – an...
Feb 23, 2021•50 min
LLN (2/19/21) – Winter weather is on truckers’ minds as Jon Osburn visits Texas; but he’s also hearing about COVID restrictions, expensive fuel, problems with rates and more. Also, a one-time truck driver is using his new career to sound the alarm on behalf of his former colleagues. Dr. Michael Lemke of the University of Houston-Downtown explains why truckers should get higher priority for COVID-19 vaccinations, and how that could address long-standing injustices in the industry. And when Califo...
Feb 20, 2021•50 min
LLN (2/18/21) – Deep-freeze temperatures across much of the nation have prompted the FMCSA to issue a regional emergency declaration, while the agency also informs states about its latest policy on extensions of CDLs and medical cards. Also, Wyoming lawmakers are once again looking to tolls as a way to finance improvements to Interstate 80 in that state, while both Mississippi and Pennsylvania consider whether to allow far wider use of speed radar by local police. And we’ll go deeper into the FM...
Feb 19, 2021•50 min
