New Federal Push on CDL Enforcement Targets a Growing Concern
Last week, the White House issued a formal directive aimed at cracking down on what it calls “commonsense violations” in commercial driver licensing.
The Executive Order, signed on April 24, sets the stage for stricter federal oversight of state licensing practices — particularly focusing on the rising number of CDLs issued to nondomiciled drivers without proper verification.
And if you think this is just political noise, think again. Illinois just became the poster child for this issue, with new reports showing that over 40% of the CDLs issued last year were handed to nondomiciled individuals.
Let’s be clear:
- This doesn’t mean every nondomiciled driver is unsafe.
- This doesn’t mean states don’t have a right to issue CDLs under current federal rules.
But it does mean that Washington is now locked in on how licenses are being granted — and whom they’re being granted to.
And when that kind of spotlight hits the industry?
It’s not the mega carriers that feel the first squeeze.
It’s the small fleets, the independent operators, the guys and girls grinding to keep a few trucks on the road.
What the Executive Order Demands
The new federal stance requires:
- Immediate auditing of CDL programs in all 50 states.
- Stricter proof-of-domicile enforcement before issuing licenses.
- Real-time data sharing between states and the FMCSA for CDL holders.
- New penalties and funding cuts for states that fail compliance checks.
This is a direct response to rising concerns that state agencies have been prioritizing license volume over license validity — and now the hammer is swinging back.
CVSA International Roadcheck Is Days Away — And This Year, Licensing Could Be Under the Microscope
We’re just days out from the 2025 CVSA International Roadcheck (May 14–16), and if you’re paying attention to the current climate, it’s clear:
Licensing and documentation aren’t just paperwork anymore — they’re potential inspection flash points.
While the official Roadcheck focus areas are hours-of-service compliance and tire safety, don’t be surprised if inspectors start taking a closer look at:
- Validity of commercial driver’s licenses.
- Proof of work authorization for nondomiciled drivers.
- Mismatches between driver paperwork and ELD records.
In this environment, anything tied to proper CDL issuance is fair game.
And here’s the kicker:
An out-of-service order for licensing violations doesn’t just hurt your CSA scores — it sidelines your truck immediately, costs you revenue and throws a giant wrench into your plan.
There’s Still Time to Get Ready
If you’re not 100% sure your drivers are fully inspection-ready, you need to move fast.
Join us for a live prep webinar this Saturday, May 3, at 10 a.m. EDT.
Powered by Truckstop
Hosted by Adam Wingfield with special guest Tom Bray from J. J. Keller
We’ll cover:
- What inspectors are really looking for this year.
- How to proactively train your drivers before May 14.
- What documents must be 100% bulletproof.
- How to avoid easy inspection failures that cost you money and reputation.
This isn’t a year to wing it. It’s a year to walk in ready.
Port Slowdowns Are Real — and They’re Quietly Reshaping Van Demand
If you’re wondering why spot market volumes feel a little shaky right now, you don’t have to look much further than the ports — especially Los Angeles.
The latest Signal Report from the Port of LA paints a very real picture:
- Week of April 27-May 3: 82,261 TEUs imported, down 31.33% from the prior week.
- Week of May 4-May 10: 71,417 TEUs scheduled — another 13.18% week-over-week drop.
- Compared to this time last year: Down 35.91%.
That’s not a little turbulence. That’s a real pullback in container traffic at one of America’s biggest inbound freight hubs.
What This Means for Small Fleets
Dry van carriers are directly tied to port volume — even if you aren’t hauling containers yourself.
Here’s why:
- Fewer containers inbound = fewer transloads from ports to distribution centers.
- Less transload activity = fewer local and regional dry van loads feeding out of cities like Los Angeles, Phoenix, Dallas, Atlanta and beyond.
- The ripple effect means lower spot volume, tighter competition for the freight that does exist and more downward pressure on outbound rates — especially in port-connected regions.
And even though the report shows a scheduled rebound for May 11-17 (99,393 TEUs projected — a 39% uptick week over week), remember:
Port freight is a lagging indicator.
Even when volumes pop for a week, it takes time to ripple into available van freight — and it doesn’t erase the drought that already hit April and early May.
Bottom Line
This isn’t about fear. It’s about awareness.
If you’re a van carrier right now, you need to:
- Double down on regional freight strategies where volume is steadier.
- Pay attention to appointment lead times — slow-moving freight equals longer wait times at shippers and receivers.
- Be aggressive with direct outreach to shippers who are still moving inventory, especially in food, beverage, medical and replenishment sectors.
- Stay disciplined on cost controls — chasing low-paying spot freight without knowing your breakeven will drain you faster than you realize.
The data is clear: Volumes are soft. But fleets can still find lanes and customers — if you move smart, not desperate.
On the Ground at the Broker Carrier Summit — Real-World Lessons for Real-World Trucking
This week, another powerful Broker Carrier Summit (BCS) in Indianapolis wrapped up — and once again, the event delivered real value to carriers and brokers who are serious about improving how they operate.
There were a lot of strong takeaways from the panels and breakout sessions.
But one experience stood out above the rest — and it couldn’t have been better timed with Roadcheck just around the corner.
A full Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 roadside inspection demo, live and on-site with an actual tractor-trailer, conducted by a federal DOT officer.
Not a classroom presentation.
Not a theory session.
An actual walk-through of:
- How inspections are conducted at the roadside.
- What officers are looking for — down to minor details that trigger deeper investigations.
- How different levels of inspections escalate depending on what is (or isn’t) found.
- How drivers should behave, respond and communicate during the process.
- The paperwork expectations that are increasingly becoming make-or-break points in a pass-or-fail situation.
Both brokers and carriers were invited to walk through the inspections, ask real-time questions and see firsthand what federal officers are actually trained to enforce.
And here’s the truth that hit home:
There is a huge gap between what many fleets think roadside inspections are about — and what inspectors are actually doing today.
The process is deeper.
The scrutiny is higher.
And the room for mistakes is smaller.
Why This Matters for Every Carrier
In a market this tight, every single inspection matters.
- A single out-of-service violation can tank a small fleet’s CSA scores.
- A broker losing confidence in your safety record can cut off lanes you depend on.
- A failure to properly document even small compliance issues can ripple into lost revenue and tighter insurance underwriting down the line.
What the BCS event showed loud and clear was this:
Success in today’s market isn’t just about freight. It’s about operational excellence.
The fleets that survive and grow in 2025 and beyond will be the ones that treat compliance as a competitive advantage — not a paperwork exercise.
Aurora Hits the Road Driverless — But Is It Really a Threat Yet?
Aurora Innovation made headlines recently by launching driverless truck operations in partnership with Uber Freight and Hirschbach — running freight without drivers between Dallas and Houston.
This marks a milestone in autonomous trucking, but here’s the reality:
- Only a few loads per week.
- Pre-mapped, limited lanes.
- Full remote monitoring support.
- Chase vehicles still involved during tests.
What This Means for Owner-Ops and Small Fleets
- Driverless freight is real, but still slow and limited.
- Long-haul, repeatable lanes — not regional or irregular freight — will feel it first.
- Human-driven service and adaptability are still in high demand.
- Insurance, regulations and public trust are huge hurdles to mass adoption.
Bottom Line
Autonomy is inching forward. But personal service, flexibility and relationship-driven freight are still very much the future for small fleets.
Honoring Brittany Traylor — A Light That Moved Fast and Shined Bright
As we tackle all the challenges and opportunities ahead, it’s critical to remember the human side of this industry.
We lost Brittany Traylor, founder of TraylorTranspo, last week in a tragic crash.
As best put it:
“She wasn’t just building a business — she was building a legacy.”
Brittany’s spirit — her grit, her passion, her drive — is what this industry is truly built on.
Final Word – Move Smart. Move Safe. Move with Purpose.
This industry doesn’t give guarantees. It gives miles. It gives chances. It gives risks.
Focus on what you can control.
Run clean. Run strong.
And never forget — behind every load is a life worth protecting.
For Brittany. For every driver grinding today.
Move smart. Move safe. Move with purpose.