Land Line Now

Diesel prices have been pretty steady over the past few weeks. But what do the next few weeks or even months have in store? That depends, says Tom Kloza of the Oil Price Information Service. Also, an OOIDA life member and former board member was named Overdrive's Trucker of the Year. We speak with him about how life behind the wheel quickly went from a job to a passion. And the recent cold snap that thumped the U.S. had ripple effects on the spot market. Robert Rouse of DAT joins the program for a look at the landscape.

0:00 – Newscast 

09:58 – A look at what’s ahead for diesel, oil markets

24:36 – OOIDA life member named Overdrive Trucker of the Year

39:21 – What effect did the recent cold snap have on the freight market?

A lawsuit now before an appeals court is challenging California’s AB5 independent contractor law – and OOIDA is throwing its support behind the effort. Also, some truckers are expressing confusion and concerns about standard drug testing required in the industry. We’ll clear that up with some help from CMCI, OOIDA’s drug testing consortium. And a new bill in Wisconsin would tackle so-called “nuclear verdicts” in the trucking industry, while bills in two states deal with speed limiters and underride guards.

0:00 – Newscast 

09:58 – OOIDA lends support to challenge to AB5

24:36 – Confusion about drug testing cleared up

39:21 – Wisconsin effort targets ‘nuclear verdicts’

An effort in California would require speed limiters on all vehicles in the state – including large trucks. We’ll discuss that, plus efforts at the federal level to require speed limiters on trucks. Also, can you get a second chance on a ticket once the court closes the case? David Grimes and Alex Clark of CDL Legal join the program to explain. And trucker Robyn Roberts also joins the show to talk about her pursuit of a college degree after two successful careers, one of which was behind the wheel.

0:00 – Newscast 

09:58 – Getting a second chance in court

24:36 – It’s never too late to get that college degree

39:21 – California eyes speed limiters on all vehicles

A turnaround in the spot market is coming, but when? The OOIDA Foundation helps us understand the forces keeping rates stagnant. Also, the results are in for the top truck stops for 2023, and this year, locations in Iowa and Florida took the winning titles. And in late November, Sean O’Malley was driving his rig through Wyoming on his very last run as a long-haul trucker. Now, the veteran trucker is fighting for his life.

0:00 – Newscast 

09:58 – December market data shows few signs of improvement

24:36 – Top truck stops for 2023

39:21 – Tragedy strikes on trucker’s last long-haul run

FMCSA has made several changes to its Medical Examiner Handbook, which guides the doctors who perform DOT physicals. And some of those changes are positive for truckers. Also, a 68-year-old Louisiana truck driver decided retirement wasn’t for him and has started a new career as a sheriff's deputy. And Spirit driver Marty Ellis covers what you should keep in your truck in extreme winter cold.

0:00 – Newscast 

09:58 – Changes to handbook for DOT physicals

24:36 – Trucker starts new career as sheriff’s deputy

39:21 – What should you keep in your truck this winter?

An upcoming decision in the U.S. Supreme Court could end up hamstringing agencies like FMCSA when it comes to making rules and regulations. Also, when it comes to ways you can pretty up your rig, there’s a real debate about which is better: paint or vinyl. And as temperatures dropped across the country last week, the number of loads on the DAT load board increased, as did spot rates for all three equipment types.

0:00 – Newscast 

09:58 – Supreme Court case could upend how regulations are made

24:36 – Vinyl vs. paint: Which one is right for your truck?

39:21 – Dropping temperatures brought an increased number of loads

NHTSA has formed an advisory committee on underride protections – a prelude to a possible regulation to require them on trucks. We’ll have the details. Also, FMCSA is proposing a significant increase to UCR fees for 2025. And some truckers are selling or transferring their authority to someone else. So why is that, and what’s involved? We’ll get answers about that and more. Then, more and more states are taking a stand on autonomous trucks in an effort to slow down the push for those vehicles. And Florida considers changes to its left-lane rules.

0:00 – Newscast 

10:07 – Panel considers pros and cons of side underride guards

24:49 – Truckers trying to sell their authority

39:14 – States work to slow roll toward autonomous trucks

The U.S. Department of Labor recently issued a final rule to define who is and is not an independent contractor. That rule has raised concerns among many independent contractors in trucking. So what does the rule say, and what does it mean? We’ll have a rundown. Also, when it comes to factoring, you have to take a lot of things into account to ensure you keep yourself and your business safe. We’ll have some advice. And what documents do you need in order to file your taxes? What are the actions you need to take so you’re prepared when it comes time to fill out those forms? We’ll explain.

0:00 – Newscast 

10:07 – How to spot red flags in factoring

24:49 – What documents do you need to file taxes?

39:14 – The new independent contractor rule and how it affects you

FMCSA Administrator Robin Hutcheson is resigning. What does that mean for current and future rulemakings, most notably the speed limiter proposal? Also, we’ll have a roundtable discussion to analyze the latest attempt at increasing a motor carrier’s minimum liability insurance, to break down a new broker rule and more. The Truck Leasing Task Force held its third meeting this week, and talks centered on a very important question: Is the lease-purchase model even worth saving? Then, Marty Ellis has had a lot of experience driving in the extreme cold and has some advice to offer.

0:00 – Robin Hutcheson resigning from FMCSA 

10:07 – What’s behind the attempt to raise insurance requirements?

24:49 – Is the lease-purchase system worth saving?

39:14 – Winter weather driving tips

Federal meetings Thursday, Jan. 18 are tackling topics such as speed limiters, automatic emergency braking, autonomous trucks and lease-purchase plans, among others. Also, a wide variety of ages and experiences make up the OOIDA board. We recently spoke with two younger board members about the importance of being politically active in the trucking industry. And a renewed effort at the Missouri statehouse would tackle the issue of predatory, nonconsensual towing in the state. Meanwhile, competing bills in Indiana would either eliminate or increase the speed differential between cars and trucks.

0:00 – Newscast 

10:07 – Feds examine speed limiters, other tech and lease-purchase

24:49 – Younger truckers stress need for getting involved

39:14 – Indiana may end or increase speed limit differentials