Land Line Now

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 fits the definition of “essential utility.” 0:00 – Driverless trucks hit the roads – what does it mean? 10:05 – Big developments on independent contractors, speed limiters 24:32 – The top items on your truck’s summer prep list 39:32 – Is trucking an ‘essential utility’?

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 start behind the wheel of a bus, talks about how that led her to a career in the trucking industry. 0:00 – Spencer: English proficiency a must 10:05 – Roadcheck’s coming soon – here’s what it’s all about 24:32 – ATRI prepares to delve into insurance, training and more 39:32 – Woman’s bus job led to trucking career

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 towing a truck is on the rise 39:32 – Punjabi group joins the fight for broker transparency

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 better? Learn to negotiate 24:32 – The importance of secondary liability 39:32 – Arkansas sets its sights on predatory towing

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? 24:32 – The time to get organized for taxes is now 39:32 – Labor Department changes course on worker classification

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 – Reinventing your operation to survive tough times 39:32 – English proficiency issue has truckers talking

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-proficiency effort gains steam 24:49 – The latest on the highway bill, BOI 39:32 – Nevada one step closer to doubling insurance requirement

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

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 10:11 – When tickets come back for round 2 … 39:32 – What truckers need in a Highway Trust Fund fix

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

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 trucking group says insurance bill unlikely to become law 24:49 – Driver-facing cameras – it’s worse than you thought

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 battle? 24:49 – You can do all kinds of things with LEDs 39:32 – At some point, something will go wrong

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 stops 39:32 – How long will better load volumes last?

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 about the nominee to head FMCSA? 24:49 – Filed your taxes? Time to start on next year’s 39:32 – Two states seek more highway money

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 refresher course on lease-purchase 39:32 – DOT emission rule is out

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 determined to get truck parking bill passed 24:49 – Authority scams are on the rise in trucking 39:32 – How will electric trucks affect tires?

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 what regulations you want to see go 10:11 – Roundtable focuses on small business, transportation and regulations 24:49 – OOIDA Pro Talk offered tips for business success 39:32 – Managing money a must for your business

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 – Pulling your MVR – it’s a must, but watch out for scams 39:32 – Spot market looking good for owner-operators

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 24:49 – Team-driving couple offer some tips and tricks 39:32 – States tackle the truck parking issue

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