USDOT said a federal audit found a 53% failure rate in sampled New York non‑domiciled CDL records and warned the state to fix issues or risk losing about $73 million in federal highway funds.
NEW HOUSE BILL WOULD OPEN LIMITED INTERSTATE DRIVING TO UNDER-21 CDL HOLDERS
The proposed ROUTE Act would allow certain 18–20-year-old drivers to haul interstate under strict conditions, following FMCSA’s apprenticeship pilot as lawmakers seek ways to expand the driver pipeline safely.
FMCSA CHIEF MOVES TO END SELF-CERTIFICATION FOR ELDS, TRAINING PROVIDERS AND MEDICAL EXAMINERS
Administrator Derek Barrs said the agency will pursue a vetting process to replace self-certification across ELDs, entry-level training providers and medical examiners, aiming to tighten oversight and boost compliance.
APPEALS COURT PAUSES CHALLENGE TO FMCSA’S NON-DOMICILED CDL RULE
The D.C. Circuit put litigation on hold as FMCSA reviews thousands of comments on its emergency rule, with status updates due every 90 days while the agency weighs a permanent rewrite of licensing regulations.
FMCSA DENIES STORM RECOVERY FLEET’S HOURS-OF-SERVICE WAIVER REQUEST
A 72‑truck Wisconsin carrier was denied an exemption to extend HOS flexibility post‑Hurricane Helene; regulators said long‑term reconstruction falls outside emergency relief intended for immediate response operations.
HOLIDAY CARGO THEFT AND FRAUD RISK CLIMBING, INDUSTRY WARNED TO TIGHTEN CONTROLS
Experts say theft and fraud are entering 2026 from a structurally higher baseline, urging fleets to verify carrier identity, deploy AI and visibility tools, and improve physical handoffs during peak season.
CARRIERS PUSH BACK ON NEW YORK THRUWAY 1% FEE; AUTHORITY SAYS IT’S AN ADMIN CHARGE, NOT A TOLL HIKE
Over 100 companies asked Gov. Hochul to halt a 1% fee on tolls processed by commercial toll‑management providers, calling it a “backdoor” increase; the Thruway Authority maintains it won’t change fleet toll rates or discounts.
WYDOT: NEARLY 40 BLOW-OVER CRASHES IN THREE DAYS AS HIGH WINDS BATTER I-80 AND I-25
Wyoming officials reported 39 wind-related crashes between Dec. 9–11 and warned truckers—especially light or empty trailers—to heed weight‑based wind closures and monitor WYDOT 511 for restrictions and conditions.
CALTRANS TO SHIFT I‑80 TRAFFIC NEAR TRUCKEE FOR BRIDGE WORK; TRUCKERS SHOULD EXPECT DELAYS
Lane reductions begin Sunday near Lake Spaulding as crews move eastbound traffic onto a new span; 30‑minute delays are possible before two lanes in each direction reopen by Dec. 19 on the critical Sierra freight corridor.
USPS PREPARES FOR BUSIEST WEEK OF 2025 PEAK WITH ADDED SORTING CAPACITY AND NEW VEHICLES
Postal Service officials say the week of Dec. 8–14 is peak 2025, highlighting 600+ new package sorters since 2020, expanded processing facilities and tens of thousands of new delivery vehicles to handle holiday surge volumes.
CSX EARNS CDP ‘A’ LIST FOR CLIMATE LEADERSHIP
CSX regained the top CDP score, placing among the top 4% of companies for climate disclosure and governance—recognition that may influence shipper sustainability strategies and modal mix decisions in 2026.
NDAA ADVANCES WITH TRUCKING-RELATED PROVISIONS ON MILITARY FREIGHT AND DRIVER ACCESS
Congress is moving to clear the annual defense policy bill, which includes changes to military freight procedures and relocation support that touch carriers serving Defense Department lanes.
FORMER DOT-CERTIFIED MEDICAL EXAMINER INDICTED IN ALLEGED FRAUD OF CDL PHYSICALS
A federal grand jury charged a former FMCSA-certified examiner with falsifying DOT physicals and related offenses, spotlighting enforcement pressure around medical certification integrity for CDL holders.
NEW YORK DMV WORKERS CHARGED IN 51-COUNT CDL FRAUD SCHEME
Prosecutors allege former DMV staffers helped unqualified applicants obtain CDL permits by manipulating exam protocols, including test impersonations—cases that could carry multi‑year prison terms if convicted.
RXO: TRUCKLOAD MARKET LACKLUSTER TO CLOSE 2025; BETTER BALANCE LIKELY IN 2026
Broker RXO’s latest Curve report points to muted volumes in Q4 but expects improving fundamentals next year as manufacturing and interest‑rate dynamics shift, with potential for a mid‑cycle demand lift.
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