Aurora’s driverless trucks are out, but pushback in Texas is growing – and a new report says the company’s plans may not be set for the long haul. Also, SJ Munoz, Tyson Fisher and Ryan Witkowski of Land Line Magazine will tell us who in the news has been good and who’s been bad with some Roses and Razzberries. And we close Mission: Military Appreciation with a look back at this week and at what Truckers for Troops has done over the years.

0:00 – Driverless truck company has a bad week

10:05 – Roses and Razzberries

24:32 – And that’s a wrap on Mission: Military Appreciation

The truckers on the OOIDA Board of Directors express strong opinions on the English proficiency regulation. Also, gator tails are a reality on the open road. But what do you do if you’re the one who created the gator? OOIDA tour truck driver Marty Ellis offers some advice. And OOIDA President Todd Spencer joins us as part of our Mission: Military Appreciation coverage to share how he got his start in the Army.

0:00 – Newscast

10:05 –English proficiency high on truckers’ agenda

24:32 – What should you do when you leave a gator behind?

39:32 – Spencer discusses how the Army led to a trucking career

The only real solution to the truck parking crisis is more spaces. But some states also use technology to help truckers find spaces. Then, we’ll take a look back at some of the troops who received care packages paid for by your donations to Truckers For Troops. And freight availability continues to be above the five-year average. We’ll break down all the numbers and look at how rates will do over time.

0:00 – Newscast

10:05 – Members of the military express gratitude for care packages

24:32 – States turn to truck parking technology

39:32 – Freight availability above five-year average

OOIDA member Darren Farago spent six years serving his country, but in the end, he pursued his lifelong dream of becoming a truck driver. Also, how does a lawyer negotiate a better outcome for a traffic ticket? Jeff McConnell and James Mennella, the attorneys with Road Law, explain. And a coalition of groups and truckers’ calls turned the tide in the battle against an attempt to double insurance requirements in Nevada.

0:00 – Newscast

10:05 – Time in the Navy turned into a trucking career

24:32 – Attorneys explain how they negotiate on a traffic ticket

39:32 – Truckers calls pushed back attempt to increase insurance requirements

OOIDA Executive Vice President Lewie Pugh joins the show to discuss how his career in the military, including driving a truck, led him to the trucking industry. Also, OOIDA’s aid to veterans has come in many forms, but the Association always looks for new ways to help. Its director of PR, Norita Taylor, is on the job. And although an effort in Nevada to double the minimum insurance requirements for trucking operations looked like it might pass, it failed in the end.

0:00 – Newscast

10:05 – A trucking career with its roots in the military

24:32 – What do veterans need? We’ve taken a look

39:32 – Insurance increase attempt fails

We’ve entered a new era in the trucking industry, as the first truly driverless trucks haul freight on an American interstate highway. Also, Land Line Now has the latest on independent contractor rules, speed limiters and more. Then, summer brings higher heat and red-hot pavement. So some attention has to be paid to the components in your truck that might be affected. And the word “utility” typically means water or electricity and the like. But OOIDA tour truck driver Marty Ellis heard trucking fits the definition of “essential utility.”

0:00 – Driverless trucks hit the roads – what does it mean?

10:05 – Big developments on independent contractors, speed limiters

24:32 – The top items on your truck’s summer prep list

39:32 – Is trucking an ‘essential utility’?

OOIDA President Todd Spencer says English proficiency is a matter of life and death. We hear from him about OOIDA’s fight to get this regulation enforced. Also, for three days every spring, commercial vehicle inspectors across the U.S. and Canada take part in International Roadcheck. And that starts this coming Tuesday, May 13. Then, from insurance costs and entry-level driver training to in-cab monitoring and cabotage, ATRI reveals its research priorities for 2025. And Mary Wilson, who got her start behind the wheel of a bus, talks about how that led her to a career in the trucking industry.

0:00 – Spencer: English proficiency a must

10:05 – Roadcheck’s coming soon – here’s what it’s all about

24:32 – ATRI prepares to delve into insurance, training and more

39:32 – Woman’s bus job led to trucking career

Truckstop says there’s more freight showing up in the spot market than normal, including one commodity that saw a 10-cent jump in rates. Also, predatory towing is a continuing problem – but regular towing isn’t cheap for truckers, either, and some say it’s getting even worse. And the North American Punjabi Trucking Association recently took an active role in urging FMCSA to get serious about broker transparency.

0:00 – Newscast

10:05 – More freight shows up in spot market

24:32 – The cost of towing a truck is on the rise

39:32 – Punjabi group joins the fight for broker transparency

Truckers hope the U.S. Department of Transportation will axe some regulations that fail to promote improved safety – and this might happen. Also, rates are at historic lows, so it’s more important than ever that truckers learn to negotiate. Then, secondary liability is important to many trucking operations. We’ll explain why it’s needed. And a new law now on the books in Arkansas is designed to put an end to predatory towing.

0:00 – Regulations: DOT eyes which ones to cut

10:05 – Want to do better? Learn to negotiate

24:32 – The importance of secondary liability

39:32 – Arkansas sets its sights on predatory towing

The U.S. DOT is looking for regulations to roll back, and it’s asking truckers to help. OOIDA has a few rules it would like to see changed. Also, we’re into a new tax year, and experts are encouraging you to start the year organized and on top of things. We’ll offer some advice. Then, who is an employee, and who is an independent contractor? The U.S. Department of Labor is out with its latest guidance for businesses.

0:00 – Newscast

10:05 – What regulations would you like to see rolled back?

24:32 – The time to get organized for taxes is now

39:32 – Labor Department changes course on worker classification