Trucker Tips

What Fleets Need to Know About FMCSA Compliance Reviews in 2025

Ask any fleet manager or consultant, and they’ll tell you that when the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration initiates a compliance review, it’s a full-body scan of your operation that starts long before the auditor walks through your door.

In most cases, you’ll get a notice via email or mail that your company has been selected for a compliance review (CR). This could stem from a poor Inspection Selection System score, a recent crash, BASIC alerts in the Safety Measurement System (SMS), a...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/what-fleets-need-to-know-about-fmcsa-compliance-reviews-in-2025

Unlicensed, Unqualified and On the Road: Driver Risk Starts With Licensing

Let’s get real for a second: Just because someone has a license doesn’t mean he or she should be driving a commercial vehicle. New posts from Adam Wingfeld in the FreightWaves Playbook report that nearly 4% of truck drivers on U.S. highways don’t have a valid CDL. That’s tens of thousands of drivers, potentially hauling 80,000-pound loads while technically not legal to operate them.

It gets worse. What license do you get before you can have a CDL? Thirteen states don’t require verifiable...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/unlicensed-unqualified-and-on-the-road-driver-risk-starts-with-licensing

‘You’re Out’: FMCSA Cracks Down on English Proficiency Rules for CDL Drivers

If you’re running a fleet or managing drivers in 2025, you’d better speak up, literally. On Tuesday, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued new guidance that officially reawakens enforcement of the English Language Proficiency (ELP) rule found in 49 CFR § 391.11(b)(2). This time, there’s real bite behind the bark: Starting June 25, drivers who can’t pass a new two-part ELP roadside test could be placed out of service on the spot.

This move follows Executive Order 14286 signed by...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/youre-out-fmcsa-cracks-down-on-english-proficiency-rules-for-cdl-drivers

Big Fleet Tactics Small Carriers Can Borrow

You don’t have to manage a fleet of 3,000 trucks to start thinking like someone who does. In fact, some of the most innovative tactics enterprise carriers use aren’t exclusive to the megacarriers. They have better systems, more data and the discipline to act on that data. Many of the advantages big fleets enjoy come from habits and perspectives that small carriers can adopt without massive investments or teams of analysts.

As someone who started as a driver turned owner-operator, built a fleet,...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/big-fleet-tactics-small-carriers-can-borrow

How to Read Your Rate Con Like a Pro

You wouldn’t sign a lease on a truck without reading the fine print. So why do so many carriers treat a rate confirmation like it’s just a receipt? That little PDF holds the power to make or break your load. And in 2025, with tighter margins, slicker brokers, and more tech-generated freight than ever, knowing how to read your rate con isn’t optional—it’s essential. The fine print is where profit lives. Or die.

This article is going to walk you through exactly how to break down a rate con like a...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/how-to-read-your-rate-con-like-a-pro

The Truth About Deadhead and Here Are Ways to Fix It

Deadhead is the silent killer in trucking operations. It doesn’t show up on rate cons. Brokers don’t mention it when quoting loads. And yet, it quietly eats into fuel budgets, labor hours, equipment life, and profit margins week after week. For small carriers and owner-operators—especially those using public load boards like Truckstop or DAT—deadhead is one of the most overlooked contributors to financial instability.

This article breaks down what deadhead really costs, why it’s more dangerous...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/the-truth-about-deadhead-and-here-are-ways-to-fix-it

Eight ELDs Pulled from FMCSA Registry and What Fleets Need to Know

On Monday, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced it was removing eight electronic logging devices associated with Gorilla Fleet Safety LLC from its list of registered devices. This emphasizes the importance of vendor selection when choosing ELDs to remain compliant and avoid operational disruptions. These devices were removed because they failed to meet the minimum requirements of Title 49 CFR Appendix A to Subpart B of Part 395.

Revoked ELDs

  • AllwaysTrack
  • Command Alkon Trackit

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/eight-elds-pulled-from-fmcsa-registry-and-what-fleets-need-to-know

How to Pass a DOT Audit in 2025 Without Losing Sleep

Fleet compliance is like a diet; it has to be a lifestyle change. It has to be consistent over time. When it’s not, it fails, and those failures can have serious effects on your business. One of those effects might be a compliance review, aka, an audit. For small fleet owners, owner-operators and trucking managers, a DOT audit can feel daunting and threaten their business and livelihood. Whether you run a single truck or manage a small fleet, preparing for an FMCSA compliance review or DOT...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/how-to-pass-a-dot-audit-in-2025-without-losing-sleep

Fuel-Saving Strategies Worth Trying in 2025 – Part 2

As diesel prices continue to bounce unpredictably, your fleet’s fuel strategy has to evolve beyond the pump. Last week, Adam Wingfield shared tools to trim fuel consumption; this week, we’re stepping back to look at the bigger picture, blending high-tech innovations with practical fleet-management techniques that can boost fleet profitability. From safeguarding against fuel fraud to reevaluating your transmission choices, every little detail can add to serious savings.

Fighting Fuel Fraud and...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/fuel-saving-strategies-worth-trying-in-2025-part-2

FMCSA Rule Updates for 2025 and What Fleets Need to Know

As the trucking industry rolls into 2025, fleets face regulatory changes that could significantly impact their operations. From eliminating Motor Carrier (MC) numbers to establishing new requirements for driver qualifications, understanding these changes is crucial for maintaining compliance and ensuring smooth operations.

Elimination of MC Numbers

Effective Oct. 1, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will discontinue using MC numbers and consolidate carrier identification under USDOT...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/fmcsa-rule-updates-for-2025-and-what-fleets-need-to-know

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