James JailletJames Jaillet was Randall-Reilly's executive editor of trucking, focusing on coverage of business and regulatory updates and trucking industry trends for the Commercial Carrier Journal and Overdrive, until the Spring of 2021.BusinessEPA watchdog backs study used to justify limiting glider kitsThe Environmental Protection Agency’s internal watchdog has concluded that a 2017 EPA study used to promote limiting production of glider kit trucks was “consistent” with the agency’s research standards and, therefore, the study’s conclusions shouldn’t be dismissed.August 2, 2019Overdrive ExtraRoundup: Hours of service revamp MIA, highway bill framework arrivesA proposal to alter federal hours of service regulations for truck operators remains snared in the bureaucratic rulemaking process. And: the Senate has floated the skeleton of a post-FAST Act highway bill.August 1, 2019BusinessSpot rates saunter through early summerPer-mile rates on the spot market were mostly flat in July. Though June was an outlier, through the first seven months of the year, rates on the spot market were in a noticeable downward cycle, declining even through spring — a usual annual inflection point for per-mile spot rates.August 1, 2019BusinessDOT moves to add a form of crash accountability to CSA systemIf the proposed program is made final, carriers — including owner-operators — will be able to dispute certain types of crashes via the existing DataQs system and potentially have the associated points and weighting removed from their Crash Indicator BASIC ranking in CSA.July 31, 2019Hours of ServiceFMCSA begins process of clarifying HOS exceptions for ag haulersThe Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is now accepting feedback on what freight is considered agricultural commodities and to what extent haulers of those commodities should receive exemptions from federal hours of service regulations.July 30, 2019BusinessBucking court rulings, DOL argues drivers aren’t owed sleeper berth payCountering recent court decisions involving major fleets Swift Transportation and P.A.M. Transportation, the Department of Labor has said that carriers shouldn’t have to pay drivers for off-duty time spent in a sleeper berth — a favorable opinion for fleets after recent federal court rulings argued that drivers should be paid for that time.July 24, 2019BusinessProcesses to verify compliance with driver training standards bumped to 2022Despite the delay in the verification protocol, FMCSA insists the standards themselves will still take effect in February 2020.July 17, 2019BusinessLenders tighten credit standards for owner-operator truck purchases as market softensOwner-operators hoping to purchase a truck likely will now face new hurdles, as lenders in recent weeks have begun stiffening credit standards for equipment purchases, especially for one-truck operators, says Rob Misheloff, founder of equipment leasing and finance brokerage SmarterFinanceUSA.July 16, 2019BusinessPulling its weight: How trailer ownership could boost your profits as a leased owner-opBuying your own trailer can be a smart investment, with immediate payback, as long as you can live with its limitations. With market conditions and new tax incentives, now could be the time to make the move.July 11, 2019BusinessCalif. lawmakers proceeding with bill that imperils owner-operator modelDespite ongoing challenges against its root court decision, lawmakers in California are pressing forward with a bill that its opponents say threatens the traditional owner-operator model in the state.July 8, 2019Previous PagePage 12 of 190Next PageTop StoriesSmall Fleet ChampMeet Overdrive's 2025 Small Fleet Champ semi-finalistsSpanning seven states and hauling niches from milk and other food grade tankers to dry vans, step decks and flatbeds, RGNs and reefers, these fine fleets are semi-finalists in Overdrive's Small Fleet Championship, with title belts on the line among other perks from award sponsor NASTC.RegulationsTrump regs agenda updates timelines for broker transparency, emergency braking, other rulesCustom RigsTennessee-based small fleet car-hauler's 'Patriot' 2020 Peterbilt 389LifeCustom Kenworth W900, $50K sweeten the pot in annual Pilot Road Warrior contestFeatured SponsorJBL Live Beam 3 - True wireless noise-cancelling earbuds with stick-closed design and Smart Charging Case™
