Trucking with OOIDA

The Truck Leasing Task Force turned up story after story of truck drivers being victimized by predatory lease-purchase agreements. A new bill in Congress would ensure others don’t suffer the same fate. Collin Long and Bryce Mongeon of OOIDA’s Washington D.C. office fill us in. Plus, you’ve got a lot of time to yourself on the road. Jim Hill, technical support specialist for an app called Libby, ex...

The U.S. Department of Transportation opened National Truck Driver Appreciation Week with an event in New Jersey, then promptly announced the details of two pilot programs that could lead to more flexibility with hours of service. Jay Grimes, OOIDA director of federal affairs, has the details. Plus, OOIDA board member Harry Smith on his lifelong love for trucking which, as we find out, runs both i...

As we celebrate you and the work you do, we’ll check in with Rebecca Oyler of the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association to find out what they have planned, along with their efforts to make positive changes on the state and federal levels. Plus, Marty Ellis, driver of the OOIDA tour truck, breaks down what they have in store at a stop in Ohio this week.

Road rumors happen, but that’s exactly what they are until confirmed: rumors. The latest involves the state of Nebraska, CDLs and the country of Kenya. We’ll set the record straight with the help of Tyson Fisher and Mark Schremmer of Land Line Magazine – and cover other news that’s making headlines of late, from the highway bill and the broken DataQ system to tariffs, an exemption request and a ne...

We all know that free spaces dedicated specifically for tractor-trailers are always welcome – but surveys have shown that truckers also want and need more – from bathrooms and food options to fuel and more. Which yes, describes a truck stop, but Dean Ash has taken that concept and run with it. Dean is the CEO of Truckers Paradise, a truck stop in Gainesville, Texas that’s really more like a trucke...

We recently rebutted a report that has been claiming on social media that there is no truck parking shortage (there most certainly is). Today, we let Lewie Pugh, executive vice president of OOIDA, off the chain to go after the claims, with some assistance from Tyson Fisher, associate editor of Land Line Magazine. Plus, OOIDA member Natasha Cruz-Sanchez breaks down her petition that’s asking the U....

The guys at Road Law have just about seen it all as practicing attorneys working on behalf of commercial truck drivers. Jeff McConnell and James Mennella join the show to break down their careers, a few memorable cases that left an impression and more.

Let’s be clear from the start: there is a truck parking shortage. But there’s a new “study” out there claiming the opposite. Not only does that fly in the face of extensive research, it runs counter to the everyday experiences of truck drivers. Andrew King of the OOIDA Foundation returns to debunk the claims and lay out the real facts. Plus, Artie Crawford of the National Motor Freight Traffic Ass...

If you’ve ever even thought about customizing your truck, you’re likely aware of Chrome Shop Mafia and 4 State Trucks – which means you’re also aware of Bryan “Bossman” Martin and the outstanding work he and his team do. Bryan joins the show in an encore presentation to discuss his career, the upcoming Guilty By Association Truck Show in Joplin, Missouri and more.

There’s a renewed effort on Capitol Hill to allow bigger and heavier trucks on U.S. roadways, but just as they have been from the start, OOIDA is pushing back. Bryce Mongeon, OOIDA director of legislative affairs, provides an update and a call to action. Plus, Chris Hughes of the Ohio DOT breaks down the state’s active and ongoing response to the truck parking shortage. They’re not just talking th...

U.S. Representative Josh Brecheen is busy hosting town halls in Oklahoma right now, but takes some time to call in to Trucking with OOIDA to talk about his ongoing attempts to keep FMCSA from imposing a speed limiter mandate – now or ever. Plus, Kim Kelley, a survivor of cult abuse and child trafficking, joins the show to share what signs to look for, and how to take action if you spot them, to po...

From action on non-domiciled CDLs and the planned reversal of a key finding that led to years of strict emission standards to autonomous trucks and the cross-border trucking economy, Tyson Fisher and Mark Schremmer of Land Line Magazine join Scott and Ashley to discuss how OOIDA is driving the conversation on behalf of truckers. Plus, Danielle “The Fraud Girl” Spinelli breaks down the latest schem...

There are some good things going in Ohio with regard to trucking. One example: a new bipartisan group in the statehouse that’s dedicated specifically to trucking issues. It’s the brainchild of Ohio State Rep. Jack Daniels, a trucker-turned-legislator. He joins the show to talk about that transition, the Ohio Trucking Caucus and more. Plus, Randy Guillot, president of Triple G Express, walks us thr...

There may not be a hotter topic in trucking right now than non-domiciled CDLs – and OOIDA is taking action, calling on the Department of Transportation to suspend the authority states have to issue non-domiciled CDLs until a review has been completed and steps are taken to ensure that CDLs are only issued to qualified drivers. OOIDA President Todd Spencer says it’s just the first step. Plus, Linds...

If you’ve ever even thought about customizing your truck, you’re likely aware of Chrome Shop Mafia and 4 State Trucks – which means you’re also aware of Bryan “Bossman” Martin and the outstanding work he and his team do. Bryan joins the show to discuss his career, the upcoming Guilty By Association Truck Show in Joplin, Missouri and more.

Artificial intelligence is coming whether we like it or not, and it’s likely to change the world in ways we can’t even imagine. But Jacky Zhao of Truckstop.com says the changes are already happening. He’s been keeping a watchful eye on the way in which AI is being used in trucking right now, and the ways in which it might be used in the future. He joins us to discuss. Plus, we’ll talk maps with Ed...

Big news out of the Environmental Protection Agency this week, which responded to concerns about diesel exhaust fluid with some action. The goal is to prevent sudden shutdowns in trucks and other diesel-powered vehicles. We’ll break down the announcement, and analyze what comes next with Lewie Pugh, Jim Jefferson and Jay Grimes of OOIDA. Plus, Thomas Balzer, CEO and President of the Ohio Trucking...

The word of 2025 just might be “tariff” – and a new round just went into effect against dozens of countries. What effects are we already seeing, what effects are on the way and how does trucking fit into all of it? Jason Miller of Michigan State University’s Eli Broad College of Business walks us through all of it.

This summer, dozens of superloads are making their way across the state of Oregon – and it’s up to Omega Morgan to make sure they get there safe and sound. But that’s no small feat. Project manager Doug Smith joins the show to talk about the planning, the process and the challenges along the way. Plus, Linda Young may be a truck agent for OOIDA right now, but before that, she was an expert of a di...

The road to success can be bumpy for an owner-operator – but there is a playbook to make the ride a little smoother. Andrew King of the OOIDA Foundation stops by with a preview of this year’s Truck to Success seminar. Plus, when tragedy strikes, many truck drivers don’t have a safety net. We speak with Courtney Niemann and Diane Hutsell of the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund, which is making...

Truck stops are an essential location for any truck driver, for obvious reasons. But a new research paper argues they’re also critical infrastructure, providing essential services during times of emergencies. We talk to the paper’s researchers about what they learned. Plus, we talk bats, the state of the spot market and the suspension of the de minimis exemption with Brent Hutto of Truckstop.com.

From 15 years of emission regulations on the chopping block and the tariff effect on cross-border freight to comprehensive coverage of the Trump administration deregulatory push and more, Tyson Fisher, Jami Jones and Mark Schremmer of Land Line Magazine hop into the studio to recap the latest trucking news and preview their upcoming August/September issue.

Our returning champion, Lewie Pugh, returns to Trucking with OOIDA for a debriefing after his appearance at a Senate subcommittee hearing last week. And while OOIDA’s executive vice president said the trip was productive, there are a few questions he wishes were asked of him during the hearing. We’ll give him a chance to do just that in a wide-ranging discussion. Plus, Mike Garland of the Carlisle...

When you’ve been a truck driver for more than 50 years, you’re going to have more than a few stories to share. That tracks for OOIDA board member Doug Smith, who joins the show to share how he got started (somewhat reluctantly) and why he’s still doing it all these years later (spoiler alert: he loves it). Doug will also tell us about the “spiritual experience” of hauling The Wall That Heals, what...

How high can we go? Cargo theft numbers are still going up – and the criminals are adjusting their targets to fit their needs. But the good guys are fighting back, and Keith Lewie of CargoNet briefs us on how those efforts are going. Plus, Kylla Lanier of TAT explains how the fight against human trafficking now includes all 50 states standing together for the first time, news of the days and more...