Highway, a leading firm in freight fraud mitigation and carrier identity, has introduced a feature allowing brokers to screen out carriers employing drivers with non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs).  Regulatory Context Driving Industry Change The introduction of this feature is a direct response to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) interim final rule, published […]

If the current freight climate continues, a number of freight brokerages—many of them large—will likely fail over the next year. The current market presents a toxic combination of sluggish freight volumes and firming spot rates, which is the worst possible environment for freight brokers. Understanding the Market Dynamics Freight brokerages act as intermediaries between shippers […]

As someone who’s spent decades immersed in the freight and logistics industry, I’ve learned that freight data often tells the story of the broader economy long before traditional indicators catch up. Right now, that data is painting a stark picture: The U.S. economy is entrenched in a goods recession. While consumer spending on services might […]

In his appearance on Fox News’ “The Will Cain Show” today, Duffy signaled a notable expansion in his enforcement strategy, pivoting from primarily holding trucking companies (carriers) accountable to also targeting shippers for enabling non-English-proficient commercial truck drivers. This move aims to broaden road safety measures amid ongoing crashes and debates on immigration and federal […]

With the Federal Government shut down, SNAP benefits are at risk right now, and this could lead to a significant drop in consumer spending—and by extension, freight volumes—for as long as the shutdown drags on.  According to SONAR data, we’re already seeing freight volumes down 18.5% year-over-year.  October’s end usually kicks off peak season, but […]

WASHINGTON — In a press conference on Thursday, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean Duffy unveiled an aggressive new initiative targeting so-called “CDL mills” — commercial driver’s license schools accused of certifying unqualified drivers, many of whom lack English proficiency, basic operating skills, and proper citizenship documentation. The move comes as part of a […]

During a press conference on commercial driver’s license (CDL) enforcement, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy responded to a reporter’s questions about the truck driver shortage and the potential impacts of stricter rule enforcement. The discussion focused on workforce challenges in the trucking industry and the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) approach to addressing them. The press […]

VIB Trans, Inc., an Illinois-based trucking carrier operating a fleet of 29 trucks, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection amid the Great Freight Recession, the longest downturn in trucking history. Headquartered in Wood Dale, a suburb of Chicago, VIB Trans employed 34 drivers to support its operations. According to federal safety records, the company […]

Industry economist projects that 600,000 active drivers could be eliminated from trucking Update 5:30 pm ET: FreightWaves received clarifying comment from Highway on the state of their system. A Highway representative said, “the Highway system is not static. It is an adaptive system. Fraudsters can’t “reverse engineer” what changes continuously based on new patterns, behavioral […]

The ‘driver shortage’ myth might finally die.

Introduction to the Emergency Interim Final Rule On September 29, 2025, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced an emergency interim final rule to restrict non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs). This significant regulatory action, issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), aims to address widespread abuse in issuing these licenses […]

Postal employees must be US citizens, while contractors are not held to the same standard. The US Postal Service outsources a large portion of its linehaul network, using a network of carriers and brokers. The number of non-domiciled CDL drivers among its contractor network surprised everyone, including USPS executives. 

Overview of Current Issues in Truck Driver Training and Licensing The trucking industry faces a critical safety crisis that has largely gone unnoticed by the American public. Each year, approximately 100,000 truck crashes occur on U.S. highways, resulting in roughly 5,000 fatalities annually. These alarming statistics point to serious flaws in the system that qualifies […]

The American trucking industry is facing unprecedented challenges, marked by a deepening economic crisis and deteriorating highway safety standards. While supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic brought attention to the transportation sector, the narrative surrounding these issues has been largely mischaracterized, particularly regarding the nature and extent of the purported truck driver shortage in […]

Travis Rhyan, the founder of 10-4, an early pioneer in the freight visibility space has now set out to create an AI-powered platform for small truckers. I had the chance to interview Travis about his journey and plans for Carrier1. Here is the interview: Craig Fuller: Welcome, Travis. Thank you for taking the time to […]

Enforcement and Insurance Implications A change in insurance policies could be coming to the trucking industry, signaling a major shift in their approach to non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). As enforcement of the new non-domiciled CDL rule takes shape, insurance companies are likely to position themselves to avoid potential liability exposure. According to an insurance […]

Mutha Trucker, a YouTube news source covering the trucking industry has reported that Montgomery Transport LLC, a Birmingham, Alabama-based trucking company, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and ceased operations effective immediately. 1000 employees out of work as trucker files for bankruptcy The sudden shutdown has left hundreds of drivers stranded across America as the company’s […]

There’s something happening hereWhat it is ain’t exactly clearThere’s a man with a gun over thereA-telling me I got to beware That’s the song that’s playing in my head as I try to make sense of what I’m seeing in the freight market. The spot market heat map in SONAR, which tracks sudden shifts in […]

On September 26, 2025, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced an emergency order requiring states to immediately stop issuing or renewing non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). This directive ends a widespread practice in many states of issuing CDLs to non-citizens without employment-based visas or extending them well beyond the expiration of holders’ work visas. […]

The U.S. trucking industry is facing a crisis of overcapacity, safety lapses and national security risks, exacerbated by decades of deregulation and lax enforcement. Since March 2018, the number of active for-hire carriers has nearly doubled from 138,000 to 212,000 today, a 54% increase. According to SONAR’s OTVI index, freight volumes are only 1.2% higher […]