Driven By Diesel - The Trucking Podcast

National Truck Driver Appreciation Week may only happen once a year, but the hard work and dedication of truck drivers deserve recognition every day.

In this special episode of Driven by Diesel, Stephanie and Tina reflect on National Truck Driver Appreciation Week and the important role professional drivers play in keeping freight moving across the country. During Appreciation Week, members of the Joe Morten & Son team joined Great West at weigh stations to hand out lunches and goodie bags and personally thank drivers for their hard work. While there, Stephanie had the opportunity to speak with several drivers about their experiences on the road, what they enjoy most about trucking, the challenges they face, and what keeps them motivated. Throughout the episode, you'll hear directly from drivers with experience ranging from just a few months to more than 50 years behind the wheel. Their conversations offer a glimpse into the people behind the freight and the dedication it takes to keep our communities moving. Stephanie and Tina also discuss the personal sacrifices drivers and their families make, the challenges of life on the road, and how motor carriers and the motoring public can continue showing appreciation throughout the year.

From sharing the road responsibly to simply taking a moment to say thank you, recognizing the people behind the wheel doesn't have to be complicated. Join us as we celebrate the drivers who keep America moving and hear their stories firsthand!

Technology has become an increasingly important part of modern trucking operations, but having the technology is only part of the equation. In this episode of Driven by Diesel, Stephanie and Tina explore how fleets can use technology to support drivers, strengthen safety and compliance processes, and make more informed operational decisions. They discuss electronic logging devices (ELDs), electronic driver vehicle inspection reports (EDVIRs), dash cameras, in-cab safety systems, smart routing and GPS technology, and the technology being used at weigh stations and roadside checkpoints. They also talk about how these tools can provide valuable information for driver coaching, corrective action, claims, inspections, and fleet management. The conversation also looks ahead at the role AI and emerging technology may play in trucking. 

Whether you’re an owner-operator, dispatcher, broker, or fleet owner, this episode offers practical insight that can help you stay informed, stay alert, and better protect your business.

Fixing a truck is only part of the equation. Without the right maintenance processes and documentation, even completed repairs may create challenges during an audit or roadside inspection. In this episode of Driven by Diesel, Stephanie and Tina discuss how consistent vehicle maintenance practices may help support safer operations, improve record keeping, and prepare motor carriers for inspections and audits. From daily driver inspections to preventive maintenance schedules and annual inspections, they cover practical processes that may help fleets identify issues early and document repairs along the way. You'll also hear practical ideas for improving maintenance processes, encouraging thorough inspections, and creating documentation that reflects the work your team is already doing.

Whether you’re an owner-operator, dispatcher, broker, or fleet owner, this episode offers practical insight that can help you stay informed, stay alert, and better protect your business.

What happens during a roadside inspection before a driver ever rolls down the window? In this episode of Driven by Diesel, Stephanie and Tina take listeners behind the scenes of a real roadside inspection ride-along to discuss what officers may be looking for, how technology can change the inspection process, and the common issues that can quickly turn into violations. From vehicle condition and driver documentation to ELD audits and inspection technology, this episode provides practical insight into what motor carriers and drivers may expect when they pull into a scale house or inspection station. You'll also hear firsthand observations from a roadside inspection ride-along and learn why preparation, professionalism, and attention to detail can make a difference during an inspection.

Whether you're an owner-operator, fleet manager, safety professional, or driver, this episode offers practical information that can help you better understand the roadside inspection process and prepare your operation for success.

Cargo theft doesn’t always look like a broken lock or a stolen trailer anymore. In this episode of Driven by Diesel, Stephanie and Tina are joined by Jonathan Stringer, Senior Cargo Claims Counsel with Great West, to discuss how fraud and cargo theft in the trucking industry have evolved—and what motor carriers can do to help protect themselves. From compromised email accounts and fake identities to load board scams and shipment redirection, today’s cargo theft schemes can be sophisticated, fast-moving, and difficult to detect.

Whether you’re an owner-operator, dispatcher, broker, or fleet owner, this episode offers practical insight that can help you stay informed, stay alert, and better protect your business.

In this episode of Driven by Diesel, Stephanie and Tina break down how motor carriers can build a repeatable, defensible onboarding system that can take drivers from new hire to road ready. Whether you're an owner-operator hiring your first driver or managing a growing fleet, this episode gives practical steps to tighten your process, reduce risk, and hire with confidence.

More information regarding the FMCSA regulations can be found at the following website: https://csa.fmcsa.dot.gov/

In this episode of Driven by Diesel, we break down the 7 FMCSA CSA Basics—the core categories that shape your safety score and directly influence your operation’s reputation, compliance, and insurance costs.

More information regarding the 7 BASICs can be found at the following website: https://csa.fmcsa.dot.gov/