Mark Schremmer and Tyson Fisher of Land Line Magazine join the show with an update on the driverless/non-driverless Aurora situation. Also, trucking is difficult and lonely, which can sometimes lead to depression and other struggles. Ben Stafford of Lamar State College wants to help. Then, many will remember the song “Convoy” and the 1978 film based on it. A recent truck show got OOIDA tour truck driver Marty Ellis thinking about that film. 0:00 – Newscast 10:05 – Project has a chance to save li...
May 23, 2025•50 min
Officials are working out the details on how to handle English-proficiency enforcement out on the road. We’ll have a primer. Also, May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Therapist Buck Black joins the program to explain when you should reach out for help. And two states are making changes to speed limit rules, while another is considering a bill that discourages ticket quotas. 0:00 – Newscast 10:05 – What will English-proficiency enforcement look like? 24:32 – Tips on when to reach out for help 3...
May 22, 2025•50 min
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy joins the program in an exclusive one-on-one to talk English-proficiency enforcement, his department’s deregulatory push, his own background in trucking and more. Then, why do some truckers camp out in the middle lane on the interstate? And how do you find an electronic logging device that will fit your operation? You ask, OOIDA answers. And finally, a check on the spot market shows the impact of CVSA’s International Roadcheck. 0:00 – Newscast 10:05 – Exclusiv...
May 21, 2025•50 min
OOIDA joins the U.S. transportation secretary on stage to support the contention that English proficiency is a matter of safety on the road. Also, the California Advance Clean Fleets rule and calls for electric trucks are on the way out, and a lawsuit led by Nebraska got the job done. And scammers are constantly after your money, but the IRS is providing information on how they go about it so you can keep your finances safe. 0:00 – Newscast 10:05 – Nebraska AG discusses lawsuit that brought down...
May 20, 2025•50 min
Truckstop’s Sean Dehan says despite the uncertainty in the freight market now, truckers are optimistic about the next three to six months. Also, a man who’s never worked as a trucker went to a truck show and got the drive of his dreams thanks to an International cabover. 0:00 – Newscast 10:05 – Truckers hopeful about the next half-year 24:32 – Reconnecting with a family’s trucking past
May 19, 2025•50 min
Aurora’s driverless trucks are out, but pushback in Texas is growing – and a new report says the company’s plans may not be set for the long haul. Also, SJ Munoz, Tyson Fisher and Ryan Witkowski of Land Line Magazine will tell us who in the news has been good and who’s been bad with some Roses and Razzberries. And we close Mission: Military Appreciation with a look back at this week and at what Truckers for Troops has done over the years. 0:00 – Driverless truck company has a bad week 10:05 – Ro...
May 16, 2025•50 min
The truckers on the OOIDA Board of Directors express strong opinions on the English proficiency regulation. Also, gator tails are a reality on the open road. But what do you do if you’re the one who created the gator? OOIDA tour truck driver Marty Ellis offers some advice. And OOIDA President Todd Spencer joins us as part of our Mission: Military Appreciation coverage to share how he got his start in the Army. 0:00 – Newscast 10:05 –English proficiency high on truckers’ agenda 24:32 – What shoul...
May 15, 2025•50 min
The only real solution to the truck parking crisis is more spaces. But some states also use technology to help truckers find spaces. Then, we’ll take a look back at some of the troops who received care packages paid for by your donations to Truckers For Troops. And freight availability continues to be above the five-year average. We’ll break down all the numbers and look at how rates will do over time. 0:00 – Newscast 10:05 – Members of the military express gratitude for care packages 24:32 – St...
May 14, 2025•50 min
OOIDA member Darren Farago spent six years serving his country, but in the end, he pursued his lifelong dream of becoming a truck driver. Also, how does a lawyer negotiate a better outcome for a traffic ticket? Jeff McConnell and James Mennella, the attorneys with Road Law, explain. And a coalition of groups and truckers’ calls turned the tide in the battle against an attempt to double insurance requirements in Nevada. 0:00 – Newscast 10:05 – Time in the Navy turned into a trucking career 24:32 ...
May 13, 2025•50 min
OOIDA Executive Vice President Lewie Pugh joins the show to discuss how his career in the military, including driving a truck, led him to the trucking industry. Also, OOIDA’s aid to veterans has come in many forms, but the Association always looks for new ways to help. Its director of PR, Norita Taylor, is on the job. And although an effort in Nevada to double the minimum insurance requirements for trucking operations looked like it might pass, it failed in the end. 0:00 – Newscast 10:05 – A tru...
May 12, 2025•50 min
We’ve entered a new era in the trucking industry, as the first truly driverless trucks haul freight on an American interstate highway. Also, Land Line Now has the latest on independent contractor rules, speed limiters and more. Then, summer brings higher heat and red-hot pavement. So some attention has to be paid to the components in your truck that might be affected. And the word “utility” typically means water or electricity and the like. But OOIDA tour truck driver Marty Ellis heard trucking ...
May 09, 2025•50 min
OOIDA President Todd Spencer says English proficiency is a matter of life and death. We hear from him about OOIDA’s fight to get this regulation enforced. Also, for three days every spring, commercial vehicle inspectors across the U.S. and Canada take part in International Roadcheck. And that starts this coming Tuesday, May 13. Then, from insurance costs and entry-level driver training to in-cab monitoring and cabotage, ATRI reveals its research priorities for 2025. And Mary Wilson, who got her ...
May 08, 2025•50 min
Truckstop says there’s more freight showing up in the spot market than normal, including one commodity that saw a 10-cent jump in rates. Also, predatory towing is a continuing problem – but regular towing isn’t cheap for truckers, either, and some say it’s getting even worse. And the North American Punjabi Trucking Association recently took an active role in urging FMCSA to get serious about broker transparency. 0:00 – Newscast 10:05 – More freight shows up in spot market 24:32 – The cost of tow...
May 07, 2025•50 min
Truckers hope the U.S. Department of Transportation will axe some regulations that fail to promote improved safety – and this might happen. Also, rates are at historic lows, so it’s more important than ever that truckers learn to negotiate. Then, secondary liability is important to many trucking operations. We’ll explain why it’s needed. And a new law now on the books in Arkansas is designed to put an end to predatory towing. 0:00 – Regulations: DOT eyes which ones to cut 10:05 – Want to do bett...
May 06, 2025•50 min
The U.S. DOT is looking for regulations to roll back, and it’s asking truckers to help. OOIDA has a few rules it would like to see changed. Also, we’re into a new tax year, and experts are encouraging you to start the year organized and on top of things. We’ll offer some advice. Then, who is an employee, and who is an independent contractor? The U.S. Department of Labor is out with its latest guidance for businesses. 0:00 – Newscast 10:05 – What regulations would you like to see rolled back? 24:...
May 05, 2025•50 min
An OOIDA petition and presidential order made CVSA act quickly to return English proficiency to the out-of-service criteria for truckers. Also, tough times call for flexibility and agility – basically adjusting to the conditions in order to survive. So, how do you do that? And truckers have some strong opinions about the rule that they must be able to read and speak English sufficiently to operate safely. 0:00 – Newscast 10:11 – Analysis: How we got here on English proficiency 24:49 – Reinventin...
May 02, 2025•50 min
Federal officials are working hard to make a reality of President Donald Trump’s executive order to require English-proficiency enforcement. Also, what could, or should, the next highway bill look like, and where are we with beneficial ownership information? We’ll have an update. And state senators in Nevada have approved a bill that would double the insurance requirements for in-state truckers. Now, the issue is in the state’s House of Representatives. 0:00 – Newscast 10:11 – English-proficienc...
May 01, 2025•50 min
The freight market remains in limbo, but Brent Hutto of Truckstop sees evidence that market conditions are headed in a good direction. Also, today is the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon. We’ll bring you an encore of our story about two truckers who were there that day. 0:00 – Newscast 10:11 – Encore: Two truckers experience the fall of Saigon 39:32 – Truckstop: Signs the market is getting stronger
Apr 30, 2025•50 min
The president has ordered enforcement of the English-proficiency regulation. But how it’s enforced on the ground is going to be up to CVSA. Also, sometimes, past tickets can take you off the road in the present. The guys from CDL Legal discuss that and what to do when you get a scary letter. Then, Congress is discussing the state of the Highway Trust Fund, and OOIDA is letting lawmakers know what truckers need in that – and what they don’t. 0:00 – English proficiency – the ball’s in CVSA’s court...
Apr 29, 2025•50 min
The U.S. DOT plans to set a policy for oversight of autonomous vehicles – just as one company gears up to test them on Texas roadways. Also, all traffic jams are not created equal, and some stand out nationally. An ATRI study has identified the nation’s worst traffic bottlenecks. 0:00 – Newscast 10:11 – A turning point for autonomous trucks? 24:49 – The nation’s worst traffic bottlenecks
Apr 28, 2025•50 min
Driver-facing cameras are not popular with truckers. But some carriers see them very differently. One driver offers his point of view. Also, an accidentally leaked document may throw a wrench into the fight over New York City’s congestion tolling system. We’ll explain. And the CEO of the Nevada Trucking Association offers his assessment of the chances for a bill that would double minimum insurance requirements. 0:00 – A new wrinkle in New York’s congestion tolling situation 10:11 – Nevada trucki...
Apr 25, 2025•50 min
Driver-facing cameras are not popular with truckers. But some carriers see them very differently. One driver offers his point of view. Also, with the advent of LEDs, you can do all kinds of things with lights that were never possible before. Bryan Martin of the Chrome Shop Mafia explains. And one thing you can be sure of in trucking – at some point, something will go wrong. Marty Ellis tells us how it happened to him. 0:00 – Newscast 10:11 – Is a solution on the horizon for congestion tolling ba...
Apr 24, 2025•50 min
How is Aurora’s autonomous truck project going in Texas? George O’Connor and Norita Taylor of OOIDA discuss when it may roll out. Also, which truck stops do the best job? Trucker Path has surveyed truckers about their top truck stops. And load volumes are still above the five-year average – but for how much longer? Brent Hutto with Truckstop says there have been a lot of ups and downs. 0:00 – Newscast 10:11 – Autonomous trucks, speed limiters making headlines 24:49 – Drivers name their top truck...
Apr 23, 2025•50 min
The U.S. DOT has once again extended its deadline for New York City to stop congestion tolling, but this time, it came with a threat. Also, someone who knows the nominee to head FMCSA shares some thoughts about him. Then, it’s already time to gather material and start your planning and record-keeping for next year’s taxes. And Oregon lawmakers have proposed tax and fee increases to raise $1.9 billion for roads. 0:00 – NYC, feds locked in battle over congestion tolling 10:11 – What do we know abo...
Apr 22, 2025•50 min
The OOIDA Foundation takes a look at all the myths behind the so-called “driver shortage” and shares what the facts actually say. Also, if you’re thinking about getting into a lease-purchase plan with a new carrier, you should hear what OOIDA’s experts have to say first. And it turns out the EPA wasn’t the only federal agency putting out emission rules – but DOT officials have put the kibosh on one. 0:00 – Newscast 10:11 – New research refutes so-called “driver shortage” 24:49 – Time for a refre...
Apr 21, 2025•50 min
A congressman is determined that his legislation to expand the nation’s number of truck parking spaces will pass into law this year. Also, some specific scams targeting motor carriers and their authority are on the rise. We’ll explain what’s happening and offer some advice. And with some still pushing for electric trucks, it raises questions – including ones about the effects on tire selection and performance. 0:00 – A new law in Arkansas stiffens English-proficiency requirements 10:11 – Bost de...
Apr 18, 2025•50 min
We’ll discuss what truckers are telling the DOT about cutting regulations. Also, the Small Business Administration held a roundtable on deregulation, and trucking issues were front and center. Then, OOIDA was at the Mid-America Trucking Show to offer some education about operating a successful trucking business. And OOIDA tour truck driver Marty Ellis says people may not manage personal finances the way they used to, but if you want your business to succeed, it’s a must. 0:00 – U.S. DOT asks wha...
Apr 17, 2025•50 min
A new report from ATRI takes a look at how much parking is available at the nation’s public rest areas – and points to ways to expand it. Also, people who are their own motor carrier have to pull their MVR every single year. We’ll explain how to do that and related scams to avoid. And Truckstop says things are still looking good for owner-operators on the spot market, with freight availability 21 percent above normal. 0:00 – Newscast 10:11 – Park at rest areas? Here’s where more is needed 24:49 ...
Apr 16, 2025•50 min
Ohio’s new two-year transportation plan includes provisions to fund truck parking, while four other states tackle the issue as well. Also, letting your medical card lapse can lead to a lot of issues, even if you're unaware of it lapsing. We’ll discuss the issues that can arise. And a couple who share life on and off the road are sharing their story, as well as some tips and tricks to keep things running smoothly. 0:00 – Newscast 10:11 – The importance of keeping up-to-date on your medical card 2...
Apr 15, 2025•50 min
A bill called the DRIVE Act, which would address one of the hottest topics in the trucking industry – speed limiters – is back in Congress. Also, two university researchers’ work has demonstrated a connection between truck drivers’ total compensation and safety out on the road. 0:00 – Newscast 10:12 – Researchers say driver pay linked to safety 39:32 – OOIDA: Call on speed limiter bill now
Apr 14, 2025•50 min
