This week in trucking, regulatory changes and market shifts dominate, from the Department of Transportation's tightened CDL eligibility for non-citizens on H2A and H2B visas to a 25% tariff on imported heavy trucks that could favor domestic manufacturers like Peterbilt and Kenworth while creating uncertainty for fleet purchases. August freight data reveals a cooling market with declines in dry van, reefer, and flatbed volumes—dry van down 8%—and softening spot rates. California's repeal of its zero-emission truck mandate for private fleets offers relief to smaller carriers but hinders EV adoption. Regulators are advancing hours-of-service pilots, broker transparency, and lease-purchase reforms via FMCSA and lawmakers. Looking ahead, fleets must monitor OEM pricing adjustments, CDL compliance challenges, and upcoming freight data to assess if the slowdown continues, with a preview of Spencer Barkoff from Relay Payments on simplifying trucking payments.

Key Takeaways 👇

✅ CDL Restrictions: Only non-citizens with H2A/H2B work visas can qualify for a commercial license, narrowing the driver pool and potentially constricting supply.
✅ Tariff Impact: A 25% tariff on imported heavy trucks may benefit domestic manufacturers like Peterbilt and Kenworth but could delay fleet purchases amid uncertainty.
✅ Freight Market Cooling: August data shows an 8% drop in dry van volumes, with reefer and flatbed also declining and spot rates softening, signaling broader market deceleration.
✅ California Rollback: Repeal of the zero-emission mandate for private fleets eases pressure on smaller carriers but slows overall EV adoption in the industry.
✅ Regulatory Watch: FMCSA is reviewing hours-of-service flexibility pilots, while lawmakers debate broker transparency and lease-purchase reforms.
✅ Looking Ahead: Monitor OEM pricing adjustments due to tariffs, CDL compliance hurdles, and new freight data to determine if the slowdown persists.
✅ Next Guest Preview: Spencer Barkoff of Relay Payments joins to discuss modernizing trucking payments with Venmo-style simplicity.

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