These are the major headlines in trucking, as of January 8:

• DOT cut more of California's funding
• USPS is trimming its use of non-domiciled CDLs
• Autonomous trucking announcements at the Consumer Electronics Show
• Truck orders reached a three-year high

Lawsuit abuse is the second-highest concern among fleet executives in 2025, second only to the economy. When thermonuclear verdicts against carriers are stretching beyond $100 million, they may be getting out of hand.

According to new research form the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform (ILR), those lawsuits against carriers are hindering the U.S. economy. If states reduced commercial auto tort costs over 10 years, it could increase annual GDP by $52.3 billion and create 5.7 million additional jobs.

John Hitch, editor-in-chief of Fleet Maintenance, shines a light on the study with help from Nick Lucas, executive director for research and data analytics at the ILR.

Timestamps:

• 5:11 - Overview of the commercial auto tort cost study
• 7:00 - How litigation impacts everyday prices
• 18:45 - Reducing tort costs have economic benefits
• 24:00 - Third-party litigation funding and transparency
• 30:15 - The need for systemic safeguards

These are the major headlines in trucking, as of December 30:

• DOT targeting Colorado over non-domiciled CDLs
• Standard Forwarding Freight ceased operations
• Advocacy group sues California's CDL cancellation
• Spot rates up, fuel prices down

Have a happy new year!

These are the major headlines in trucking, as of the holiday week of December 23:

• California paused its plans to reissue 17,000 CDLs
• Major rail merger wants to take market share from trucks
• Spot rates made big holiday gains

These are the major headlines in trucking, as of December 18:

• California is suing DOT over terminated transportation funding
• DOT is also threatening New York's funding over non-domiciled CDL practices
• Oregon is ending the Trusted Carrier Partner program
• Prime Inc. faces part of a $44M nuclear verdict
• Legislators launch trucking caucus
• Trailer orders fell sharply
• Diesel dropped 6 cents

ATA's latest chairman and Groendyke Transport's CEO, Greg Hodgen, thinks of himself as an optimist, while others call him a realist. But both perspectives are on display in this episode of The Fleet Lead, where Hodgen and Bulk Transporter Editor Jason McDaniel sat down for a frank conversation about the transportation industry, with a special focus on tank trailers. From discussing the shortage of drivers versus qualified drivers to tort reform and beyond, McDaniel and Hodgen cover the spectrum of realism to optimism in trucking while looking ahead for 2026.

Catch this episode of The Fleet Lead podcast here or search for The Fleet Lead on your favorite podcast app.

Chapter index:

• 1:04 - Hodgen's road to the industry and ATA leadership
• 5:00 - Drivers vs qualified drivers
• 11:53 - The importance of innovation in tank trucking
• 14:01 - Government and regulations
• 23:58 - Tort reform and cybersecurity
• 31:19 - Looking ahead for 2026
• 37:31 - Appreciating the trucking industry

These are the major headlines in trucking, as of December 11:

• For-hire fleets getting acquired or downsizing
• Aurora expands autonomous truck operations
• Wreaths Across America Day is here
• Diesel prices dropped by 9 cents

Analyst Dean Croke talks about his plans for this year’s Wreaths Across America, his bustling social media, and the trucking community's dedication to honoring service members.

Dean Croke will be attending the Escort to Arlington with RadioNemo. Croke is a senior analyst for DAT Freight & Analytics, but he’s also a longtime truck driver with an industry social media presence. Croke shares his plans for this year’s Wreaths Across America, his own connection to honoring service members, and some of the reasons why many truck drivers are so passionate about the event.

Timestamps:

• 0:29 - Origins and the convoy
• 9:52 - Connection, supporting truckers' lonely work
• 12:42 - Dean's social media and "rollers"
• 16:02 - How to get involved, where to listen