Trucker Tips

When to Add a Second Truck (And When to Wait)

If you’re reading this, you’ve probably got one truck that’s doing okay—or maybe just surviving—and you’re thinking:

“Is it time to grow?”

“Should I get another truck?”

“Can I afford to scale, or am I just chasing the dream too fast?”

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https://www.freightwaves.com/news/when-to-add-a-second-truck-and-when-to-wait

Meet Bubba. The AI Voice Assistant Built for Truckers

When it comes to trucking technology, most of us have learned the hard way that promises are cheap and real help is rare. That’s why, when I sat down with Tapan Chaudhari, the founder of Hey Bubba (Bubba.ai) in Austin, Texas, this week, I was skeptical. I’ve spent over 20 years behind the wheel, running fleets and freight, and I’ve seen a lot of technology come and go. Most of it was designed by people who have never hauled a load or negotiated with brokers over cheap freight. But after turning...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/meet-bubba-the-ai-voice-assistant-built-for-truckers

Trump’s Executive Order For Trucking Revives a Rule Nearly 90 Years Old

In 2025, the national conversation around English proficiency and trucking safety resurfaced with new intensity. Two executive orders, signed by President Donald Trump, renewed emphasis on English language requirements, both at a cultural level and at the level of commercial motor vehicle operations.

On March 1, an executive order formally designated English as the official language of the United States. It revoked Executive Order 13166, which had promoted multilingual government services since...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/trumps-executive-order-for-trucking-revives-a-rule-nearly-90-years-old

Motive’s Vision 25 Conference Reimagines Fleet Safety Culture with AI and a Personal Touch

At Motive’s Vision 25 Innovation Summit last week in Austin, Texas, the future of fleet management wasn’t just unveiled; it was driven home with the kind of grit, technology and culture that resonates with real fleet professionals. Over 850 fleet leaders, drivers and partners gathered to get a firsthand look at Motive’s newest AI-powered tools, live product showcases and industry panels focused on making physical operations safer, smarter and more human-centered.

Vision 25 was about the people...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/motives-vision-25-conference-reimagines-fleet-safety-culture-with-ai-and-a-personal-touch

Fleets Face Privacy Challenges as Workplace Surveillance Looks at Major Overhaul

Privacy has long been an industry argument from the driver seat when it comes to dashcams. California trucking fleets may soon face substantial hurdles in how they monitor driver activity if Assembly Bill 1331 becomes law. AB 1331 limits employer surveillance, explicitly requiring fleets and businesses to disable dashcams and other monitoring devices during employee off-duty periods, including mandatory rest breaks and meal periods, even when taken inside the vehicle. The bill defines these...

https://www.freightwaves.com/playbook/fleets-face-privacy-challenges-as-workplace-surveillance-looks-at-major-overhaul

What It Means for the Industry as FMCSA Eliminates MC Numbers in 2025

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has announced some major changes, perhaps none more significant than overhauling its carrier identification system. By Oct. 1, 2025, the agency plans to phase out Motor Carrier (MC) numbers and transition entirely to USDOT numbers. This move is part of an effort to modernize carrier registration, reduce fraud, and streamline compliance processes. While the change may seem like a minor administrative update, it carries significant implications for...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/what-it-means-for-the-industry-as-fmcsa-eliminates-mc-numbers-in-2025

Evolving Beyond Reactive Maintenance Models to Predictive Success

Fleet maintenance has long been an area where outdated practices collide with modern technology, creating a divide between those who embrace data-driven efficiency and those who remain stuck in the reactive, break-fix, put-out-fires mentality. While the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires preventive maintenance programs, compliance doesn’t always mean a fleet operates safely or cost-effectively. The real difference is how fleets approach maintenance, whether reactive,...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/evolving-beyond-reactive-maintenance-models-to-predictive-success

Fleet Technology to Keep Fleets Prepared For CVSA Safety Blitzes in 2025

Every year, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has a series of safety enforcement initiatives to identify unsafe vehicles and drivers, reduce crashes, and promote compliance with federal regulations. These blitzes, which occur across the United States, Canada and Mexico, involve thousands of inspectors conducting roadside inspections, reviewing driver records and assessing vehicle conditions.

For fleets, these initiatives can be a make-or-break moment. Failing an inspection can lead...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/fleet-technology-to-keep-fleets-prepared-for-cvsa-safety-blitzes-in-2025

Fuel Conservation Strategies for Fleets

Fuel is among trucking fleets’ biggest operational expenses, accounting for between 15% and 30% of total costs. With fluctuating diesel prices and increasing concerns over fuel fraud and inefficiencies, fleet owners must implement more innovative strategies to manage consumption without compromising productivity. Effective fuel conservation improves fleet efficiency, enhances driver accountability, and extends vehicle life while reducing environmental impact.

As technology advances, data-driven...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/fuel-conservation-strategies-for-fleets

How to Maximize Your MATS Experience as a Small Carrier/Owner-Operator

Attending the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) can be overwhelming. With over 50,000 attendees, thousands of vendors, and over a million square feet of exhibition space, it’s easy to get lost in the spectacle. If you go in without a plan, you’ll end up wandering aimlessly, snapping pictures, and walking away with a bag full of brochures but no real business impact. If you’re intentional, MATS can be one of the most productive events of your year.

I remember my first time at MATS over a decade...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/how-to-maximize-your-mats-experience-as-a-small-carrier-owner-operator

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