LLN (8/4/21) - While the Senate infrastructure bill is mostly about paving and building, it also includes an examination of truck leasing, coercion, ELD oversight and more. We’ll discuss less-known parts of the bill. Also, to figure out what trucks need in terms of highway infrastructure, it’s probably a good idea to know what exactly the trucks are going to be on the highways. OOIDA says an upcoming survey on the topic could be good news for truckers. And the West Coast is experiencing a major ...
Aug 05, 2021•51 min
LLN (8/3/21) – The Senate continues to work on the bipartisan infrastructure bill – but it still lacks any truck parking money, and a potentially problematic study may be part of it. We’ll discuss the details – and bring you OOIDA’s Call to Action on the topic. Also, that strange noise or vibration in your truck can help a mechanic figure out what’s ailing your vehicle. And Ohio is considering so-called “open road tolling” for the state’s turnpike. Meanwhile, West Virginia has decided to use $15...
Aug 04, 2021•51 min
LLN (8/2/21) – For many years, OOIDA has pointed out shortcomings in both the CSA system – and the DataQ system for handling disputes of information in CSA. Now, another push is on to reform the system. Also, OOIDA’s Business Services Department fields a lot of complaints about brokers and questions about fuel surcharges and short-haul exceptions. We’ll have answers. And what happens in your personal vehicle doesn’t stay there – at least not when talking about your commercial insurance policy. W...
Aug 03, 2021•51 min
LLN (7/30/21) – Fuel prices have been biting drivers in the backside in recent weeks, but there’s a way to take the sting out and save more than 30 cents a gallon right now. The skipper of the OOIDA tour truck also has fuel on his mind, with drivers bending his ear about fuel prices, surcharges and more. Plus, what we’re hearing from Capitol Hill about the latest in infrastructure talks. 0:00 – Newscast. 10:15 – Relief from biting fuel prices. 25:07 – Spirit of the American Trucker. 39:57 – Bipa...
Jul 31, 2021•51 min
LLN (7/29/21) – Two top federal officials recently made it clear that they understand the retention and turnover problems in the trucking industry. Now, what will they do about it? Also, FMCSA will require states to exchange CDL information electronically by 2024, and the agency has clarified some emergency declarations. Three states act to stop “ticket quotas” – and more states may; meanwhile, Pennsylvania continues trying to let local police use speed enforcement radar. Illinois is playing hos...
Jul 30, 2021•51 min
LLN (7/28/21) – What you call your job, one television host calls a daring stunt. But fortunately for Bobby Bones, an OOIDA member was by his side as he learned to drive a truck. And the whole thing was put on a national TV show. Also, an owner-operator gets the surprise of a lifetime, and a preview of this weekend’s SuperRigs. For flatbed haulers, 2021 looks a lot like 2018. We’ll take a look at what’s the same and what’s different. And the unpredictable battle to assemble an infrastructure bil...
Jul 29, 2021•51 min
LLN (7/27/21) – City-owned roads and bridges will get a multimillion dollar boost under a new law in Massachusetts, while Maine will let voters decide on a new set of highway bonds. Also, if you were expecting that Congress would get it together on an infrastructure bill, prepare for disappointment. We’ll explain what happened, what didn’t happen, what’s next and why it matters. And need help picking out new tires? It’s a daunting task. Buying new tires is an investment, one that could end up sa...
Jul 28, 2021•51 min
LLN (7/26/21) – Hot weather can lead to extreme health problems – heat exhaustion, or even heat stroke. We’ll have some advice. Also, when it comes to maintenance, taxes and legal issues, you’re going to have questions – and a great place to get the answers is Land Line Magazine. We’ll offer a sneak peek of the features inside the July issue. And just like the federal government, state governments can have a huge impact on your life as a trucker. The problem is, you end up fighting in 50 arenas ...
Jul 27, 2021•51 min
LLN (7/23/21) – Another city is considering a truck parking ban; meanwhile, some truckers are saying “I told you so” in the city of Joliet, Ill. Also, Marty Ellis is between truck shows, getting an update on a city we thought was doing well on left lane use, and discussing a new way to get in touch with the people who represent you in Washington, D.C. And one of the few things both political parties agree on is that they want to pass an infrastructure package. But the most recent attempt to move...
Jul 24, 2021•51 min
LLN (7/22/21) – An FMCSA advisory committee discussed driver turnover and retention, and the secretary of transportation has written an article for CNN that seems clued in to the facts. Also, Oregon lawmakers have finished work on a large transportation funding bill, while six states are changing the rules for license plate readers. We’ll bring you information about upcoming truck shows. And the Federal Trade Commission plans to step up enforcement of laws designed to protect the right to repair...
Jul 23, 2021•51 min
LLN (7/21/21) – Retail imports continue to surge, and we’re not even in peak shipping season yet. We’ll discuss what that means for the freight market and truckload carriers. Also, when the pandemic started, restaurants serving truckers closed down. So federal and some state governments allowed food trucks to operate in rest areas. We’ll discuss how it could be done better for the next crisis. And an auditor says the FMCSA could do a far better job of keeping an eye on disqualified CDL holders. ...
Jul 22, 2021•51 min
LLN (7/20/21) – As one U.S. representative was trying to block a tolling plan, another took a pot shot at professional truck drivers. Also, OOIDA is urging Pennsylvania truckers to call U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright’s office. We’ll bring you the Association’s Call to Action. Minnesota lawmakers have OK’d spending more than $7 billion on transportation, while four states are supporting or expanding the use of automated ticket cameras. And the U.S. Senate may vote on an infrastructure bill t...
Jul 21, 2021•51 min
LLN (7/19/21) – We’re closer every day to a Minneapolis truck parking ban – OOIDA is telling the city council there why it’s a bad idea, and they’re giving feedback of their own. Technology mandates, insurance hikes and speed limiters are just a few of the topics OOIDA members get steamed about. The OOIDA Foundation recently conducted a survey on some of those issues, and the results tell us a lot about the issues, and concerns, on truckers’ minds. And making an insurance claim is never fun, but...
Jul 20, 2021•51 min
LLN (7/16/21) – Marty Ellis is tracing the Oregon Trail, the ultimate one-lane road. So it seems right that he’s hearing about left lane restrictions on modern, multi-lane highways. Also, soon, Bryan Martin and the Chrome Shop Mafia will open another edition of the Guilty by Association Truck Show in Joplin, Missouri. We’ll take a look at what’s included, and how they put it together. Every year, the federal government decides how much to spend on roads and bridges. And every year, that bill bec...
Jul 17, 2021•51 min
LLN (7/15/21) – A new Missouri law is set to raise the state’s fuel tax for the first time in one quarter century, while Louisiana looks to the existing state budget to pay for more road work. Also, Supply chain concerns may be the driving force for either a solution to driver turnover or more nonsense about an imaginary driver shortage. We’ll bring you information about upcoming truck shows. And the first vote in the Senate on their infrastructure plan is likely next week – the only problem is,...
Jul 16, 2021•51 min
LLN (7/14/21) – Supply chains are in tatters, so it’s no surprise that spot market load volumes are double what they were this time last year. We’ll dig into that – plus, what carriers should be looking for as we hit back-to-school shopping season. Also, the proposed move to drastically increase minimum insurance requirements could increase the cost of road construction projects at every level, crushing the federal government’s purchasing power. And OOIDA is offering a better way to be involved ...
Jul 15, 2021•51 min
LLN (7/13/21) – Trucking always gives you problems to solve. Some can’t get a new rate confirmation from their broker when a receiver turns them away, some have trouble getting their escrow back when they change carriers, and some wonder what their options are when a carrier hands them a 1099 when they should get a W-2. We’ll offer some advice. Also, it’s back to the drawing board in Missouri when it comes to towing reform. And the exclusion of truckers from the Fair Labor Standards Act is an ol...
Jul 14, 2021•51 min
LLN (7/12/21) – Did you get marked up in a Driver Vehicle Inspection Report recently? The guys from Road Law join us to explain why you might be in the odd position of wanting a ticket for the very same violation. Also, if the so-called “driver shortage” is the piñata, the July issue of Land Line Magazine is the baseball bat. The cover story takes aim at the driver shortage myth with cold hard facts. We’ll have a preview. And while some in Congress try to figure out what to spend on transportati...
Jul 13, 2021•51 min
LLN (7/9/21) – The U.S. DOT recently hosted a roundtable discussion on driver retention and the supply chain and seemed receptive to taking positive steps. From life-saving heroes to a governor who seemingly just doesn’t like truckers, breaking down who’s been good and who’s been bad on Roses & Razzberries. Plus, the skipper of the OOIDA tour truck talks about the Walcott Truckers Jamboree, fuel cards and the truck parking problem. 0:00 – Newscast. 10:15 – Roses and Razzberries. 25:06 – Spir...
Jul 10, 2021•51 min
LLN (7/8/21) – First comes better training, then comes safer roads – which is the goal of a new registry just launched by the FMCSA after a long wait. One state looks into joining a regional climate pact, while another looks to inject tens of millions into its roads and bridges. Plus, an executive order that takes aim at right-to-repair rules and the ongoing computer chip shortage. 0:00 – Newscast. 10:15 – Training Provider Registry, $900M in grants and Operation Save Driver Week. 25:06 – Rhode ...
Jul 09, 2021•51 min
LLN (7/7/21) – It’s already been a crazy year for freight and rates, but reading the tea leaves suggests it could get even crazier. Signing up for the wrong coverage under the wrong insurance company could sink you, especially if your authority is new. Plus, another small step toward a possible infrastructure agreement. 0:00 – Newscast. 10:15 – Crazy year for freight and rates. 25:06 – New authority pitfalls when getting insured. 39:54 – Infrastructure talks continue....
Jul 08, 2021•51 min
LLN (7/6/21) – Traveling and working alongside your dog can be a great comfort, but if you ever have a medical emergency, you are to going to be left asking, “What happens to my dog?” – unless you have a plan in place. Four states are making moves on vehicles that don’t move over from the left lane, while Colorado commits to funding transportation projects. And the push in Washington D.C. to pump one billion dollars into truck parking. 0:00 – Newscast. 10:15 – I’m in the hospital. What happens t...
Jul 07, 2021•51 min
LLN (7/5/21) – A U.S. representative has signed a letter complaining about the high price local commuter railroads will have to pay for liability insurance. However, he’s also introduced a bill to do exactly the same thing to trucking operations. And owner-operators may pay the price. We’ll offer up an encore of our report on the situation and how it could affect your bottom line. Also on today’s program: July is going to be a busy month in trucking, mostly for bad reasons; a major enforcement b...
Jul 06, 2021•51 min
LLN (7/2/21) – Marty Ellis just went through one of America’s biggest current highway messes – near Memphis, Tenn., where a bridge closure in the area has caused huge backups – and he has some advice. Meanwhile, he’s doing some deep thinking about the Peter Principle in government. Also, we’ll talk with the top winner of the OOIDA Mary Johnston Scholarship; Shell Rotella and OOIDA will honor drivers who “Go Safely”; and who will haul this year’s Capitol Christmas Tree. And now that the U.S. Hous...
Jul 03, 2021•51 min
LLN (7/1/21) – A major enforcement blitz is a week or so away, and truck thefts and scam calls are likely to go up. We’ll review a recent report on motor vehicle deaths. A federal agency finally demands some detailed information about autonomous vehicle problems, while a deadline is set for entry-level driver training. And if you travel through one of eight states after this weekend, the price at the pump is likely to be different than a short time before, as fuel tax changes go into effect. Mea...
Jul 02, 2021•51 min
LLN (6/30/21) – Minneapolis wants to ban all truck parking on city streets – and a vote is coming soon. We’ll take a look at the issue, including what truckers can do. Also, the Fourth of July weekend is upon us and that means lots of freight in the form of beef, hot dogs and, of course, fireworks. And the proposed House highway bill has taken another step toward a vote of the full U.S. House – and it continues to contain a significant number of anti-trucking provisions. However, now several mor...
Jul 01, 2021•51 min
LLN (6/29/21) – Connecticut’s governor has made it clear that he has little regard for truck drivers and the work they do. Also, you take good care of your truck – but you might be neglecting yourself. We’ll offer advice to get on the right path, from healthier eating habits to workouts on the road. The Minneapolis City Council may soon ban truck parking on all city streets. OOIDA has issued a Call to Action. And the proposed House version of the highway bill is making its way to a vote – despit...
Jun 30, 2021•51 min
LLN (6/28/21) – A significant tax on truckers only is now law in Connecticut, while the highway bill may finally address a problem for car haulers. Also, what happens if you don’t file your taxes? Despite what some people say, it doesn’t usually end well, and it happens more than you’d think. But you can get help and make it through. And the latest issue of Land Line Magazine is the latest sign that things are returning to “normal.” From trading up and sprucing up your rig to reviews on the newe...
Jun 29, 2021•51 min
LLN (6/25/21) – We’ll report about what Pennsylvania’s doing to stem the truck parking crisis, why a recent study on truck parking was a surprise, and a couple of updates out of Washington. Also, Marty Ellis is talking with truckers about dash cams – and generally, drivers love the ones that face out, and are burning mad at the ones that face the driver, for pretty obvious reasons. And it’s no secret that much of the legislation that gets introduced into Congress is driven by special interests. ...
Jun 26, 2021•51 min
LLN (6/24/21) – The U.S. DOT and the Federal Highway Administration are looking into how the crack that closed the Interstate 40 bridge in Memphis went undetected so long, while the FMCSA nominee visits the Port of New York and New Jersey. A new Texas law will protect carriers from “frivolous” lawsuits, while Pennsylvania considers higher truck weights to accommodate electric rigs. Also, truck show season is actually happening, so we’ll tell you what’s coming. And federal officials may finally h...
Jun 25, 2021•51 min
