Land Line Now

An electric truck was on fire for 16 hours earlier this week. Now, the DOT will gather experts to decide what to do in such a situation. Also, broker problems continue to be a major topic for truckers, including a growing number of motor carriers filing against broker bonds. And six states are revising their rules that govern the use of cameras to enforce speed limits and red lights. Meanwhile, Wi...

You can charge your cell phone simply by setting it on a charging pad with no connections. What if you could do the same for your truck? Also, there are ways truck drivers can protect themselves against predatory towing and outrageous bills – and your insurance can play a big role. Then, the dog days of summer are usually a quiet time on the spot market, and this year is no different. But that’s a...

Many truckers would agree that electric vehicles should pay their fair share for roads. Now, a Pennsylvania law aims to do just that. Also, a tax projection can help you foresee what you’ll pay in taxes each year – and help you succeed in business. And some of the concerns about AI – artificial intelligence – are specific to transportation, including to trucking. OOIDA recently alerted the U.S. DO...

For the average truck driver, truly smooth roads are hard to find. But one group is working to ensure that more pavement meets the standard. Also, three of OOIDA’s experts discuss gaining your authority and going through the complicated permits-and-licensing process. 0:00 – Newscast  10:22 – Authority, permits and licensing – what’s required 25:10 – The benefits of smooth concrete

OOIDA’s Todd Spencer and Lewie Pugh discuss the Association’s efforts to fight for truckers on issues such as AI and predatory towing. Also, OOIDA’s Truckers For Troops sends some needed supplies to benefit homeless veterans through the Veterans Community Project in St. Louis. And truckers who have long parked their rigs at home are fighting a new ban on the practice in two Florida towns. We’ll ta...

Should the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency give California a waiver allowing it to move forward with its Advanced Clean Fleets initiative? Some are not so sure. Also, how do you warn other truckers about a bad broker or a fake broker scam? Land Line Now gets some advice on that and other broker issues. And OOIDA tour truck driver Marty Ellis talks about a longtime motor carrier going out of b...

Seasonal factors continue to impact the spot market. Brent Hutto of Truckstop says a closer look at the data – and at how bigger carriers are operating – tells us something about the future. Also, a lawyer representing a New Mexico trucking company explains why it’s taking the feds to court over the new independent contractor rule. 0:00 – Newscast  10:22 – Lawsuits target new independent contracto...

A report by INRIX says that traffic congestion is worsening in the United States – and offers some interesting data that may show why. Also, an effort in California that originally would have put speed limiters on all vehicles now calls for putting “speed warning devices” on all new vehicles. 0:00 – Newscast 10:22 – Traffic congestion – it’s not getting better 40:08 – California lawmakers want to...

FMCSA has taken an interest in an issue that’s festered in trucking for some years now – predatory towing. But what might the agency do? Also, what do you need to know about leasing on to a carrier? OOIDA’s upcoming Truck To Success seminar details what you need to know. And some truckers get caught by surprise when they find out their license is in trouble – or maybe even suspended – due to some...

Another email scam aims to get personal information through phishing – and it’s just one of many ways bad actors target truckers. Also, from a trucker stepping up to fulfill a child’s dream to a trucker with a lame excuse for a bad incident, Land Line Now brings you some Roses and Razzberries. And artists are giving an infamous truck-eating bridge in Kansas City, Mo., a new look. One of them joins...

OOIDA recently warned about the use of artificial intelligence in the trucking industry, based on truckers’ experience with other tech. Also, some important changes were made recently in the regulations regarding broker bonds, which could have a direct impact on how you interact with brokers. And OOIDA tour truck driver Marty Ellis is hearing about artificial intelligence. He says some people are...

Many owner-operators don’t know what beneficial ownership information is or why they have to file it, so Land Line Now gets answers from two experts. Also, expect a big push over the coming months on truck parking in Washington, D.C. – whether it’s through appropriations or legislation. And load-to-truck ratios for all three equipment types were up last week. That usually translates to higher rate...

Truckers have faced all kinds of challenges in past hurricanes. Now that the next round is upon us, Land Line Now explains what you need to know to prepare. Also, four states have taken action to change the rules for the use of the left lane on highways. And California wants to make it easier to pass certain local ballot questions. 0:00 – Newscast  10:22 – What you need to know as hurricane season...

A coalition of organizations – including OOIDA – has asked members of the U.S. House to pass the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act. Also, Truck To Success takes a hard look at the challenges of financing new equipment, as well as a warning about avoiding lease-purchase agreements. And the latest example of truckers and troopers working together is in Wisconsin, which for several years now has h...

Andrew King of the OOIDA Foundation injects some realistic expectations, facts and figures into the conversation about the freight market. Also, the first thing people see as your truck approaches is that bumper. So how do you help it make a good first impression? Bryan Martin of Chrome Shop Mafia offers some advice. And OOIDA tour truck driver Marty Ellis is getting an earful from truckers about...

FMCSA has granted another exemption to the requirement trainers be in the jump seat while trainees drive – and OOIDA has some real concerns. Also, the U.S. DOT plans to be very busy over the next year, and unfortunately, a considerable amount of that attention is going to fall on truck drivers. And most states are looking for new sources of highway funding, with many turning to an obvious, untappe...

Two members of the Advisory Committee on Underride Protection express concern about the group’s lack of consensus and unwillingness to consider worries about a mandate. Also, change is coming to the freight market, but it’s coming slowly. Brent Hutto of Truckstop shares the latest data from the market. 0:00 – Newscast  10:22 – Committee members dismayed by underride reports 40:23 – Change is a-com...

Speed limiters are just one of the issues in the House version of the annual spending bill, but the Senate version is very different. Also, Greg Frary of Truck Tractor Trailer walks us through the biggest investment you’ll make as an owner-operator – buying a truck. And what happens if your state revokes your CDL? How does it happen? And what do you do? David Grimes of CDL Legal joins Land Line No...

Author and historian Mark Levinson relates the story of Malcolm McLean, a pioneer in the use of shipping containers – and a truck driver. Also, several members of Congress have spoken out on the issue of speed limiters, and one of them is Rep. Mike Collins of Georgia. Land Line Now brings you some of comments. 0:00 – Newscast 10:22 – Trucker’s ingenuity brings us the shipping containers we have to...

A misrepresentation of data about speed limiters by a congressman during a House subcommittee hearing led off the top news of the week. Also, the American Logistics Aid Network steps in to organize the logistics when disasters strike in the U.S. – and there are a lot right now. And large carriers continue to talk about an alleged driver shortage – but with turnover around 100 percent, is that the...

OOIDA Executive Vice President Lewie Pugh told Congress this week that to fix issues like speed limiters, AEBs and more, legislators need to listen to truckers. OOIDA Director of Federal Affairs Jay Grimes offers some analysis of the hearing. Also, Tom Crowley and Aron Lynch of OOIDA's Compliance Department discuss ways you can avoid having problems with brokers in the first place. And Delaware an...

An FMCSA report to Congress says the agency lacks the data and authority to do much of anything to combat illegal broker activity. Also, a Texas truck driver saved a 1-year-old boy who had been left abandoned on the side of Interstate 10. Land Line Now has his story. And when it comes to fighting Class A driver traffic tickets, there's a lot to keep in mind. We sit down with the guys from Road Law...

Among the states to tackle the idea of requiring drivers in autonomous trucks is New York, where a bill is moving through the Legislature. Also, truckers who are running their own business need to know where things stand – and one way to do that is a Mid-Year Accounting Review. And a U.S. House subcommittee is planning to take a look at various regulations at the U.S. Department of Transportation...

Progress is being made on truck parking, and in some places, it is considerable. For example: Texas. Land Line Now details what’s happening. Also, Lewie Pugh and Andrew King of OOIDA discuss one part of an upcoming class for potential owner-operators – creating a business plan. 0:00 – Newscast 10:22 – To succeed, you have to have a plan 25:15 – Progress on parking in the Lone Star State

A federal consumer protection expert laid out how lease-purchase agreements are designed to benefit motor carriers, not truck drivers. Also, a trucker who sold his authority did get some cash, but trouble began quickly after the sale. Land Line has his story. And it can be pretty difficult to take the straight-and-narrow road if your truck is out of alignment. We’ll get some advice from Andy McCul...