Business

Trucking's exemption from Calif. break laws upheld

A high-level court has sided with the U.S. DOT in exempting trucking companies from California's meal and rest breaks laws. And other news: No enforcement delay yet for Canadian ELD. New Love's in Indiana. More 'book it now' freight options.

January 19, 2021

Flatbed Truck On Highway Lane Restriction

Analysts optimistic on trucking after chaotic year

2020’s strong second half and prospects for continued high freight demand bode well into 2022, FTR says. However, several factors will affect the timing and intensity of further recovery.

January 18, 2021

Overdrive Radio

Beware: Human smugglers luring truckers along the border

In this week's Overdrive Radio podcast, Chief Matthew Hudak of the Laredo section of the U.S. Border Patrol emphasizes how professional drivers can help combat a sharp uptick in human smuggling/trafficking via tractor-trailers.

January 15, 2021

X-ray imaging caught this reefer filled with 150 people bound for the U.S. interior from the border zone near Laredo as the new year turned just a couple weeks ago. It's part of an uptick of such busts U.S. Border Patrol is asking the trucking community for information about. Find contact information for the Laredo sector office of the border patrol via this link.

Here are the drivers on FMCSA's new advisory panel

The new panel will provide feedback to FMCSA on issues of safety, hours regulations, training, parking, and more. And other news: New front air suspension available for W990; Melton doubles tarp pay; construction on I-11 in Henderson, Nevada.

January 15, 2021

Optional AG130 front air suspension available for W990 | The Kenworth W990 is now available with a front air suspension rated at 13,200 pounds. The manufacturer's proprietary AG130 front air suspension is also available for the Kenworth T680 and T880. Kenworth’s family of proprietary suspensions includes the AG380, AG400, AG400L, AG460 and AG690 rear suspensions for Class 8 models.

FMCSA proposes new split sleeper pilot program

FMCSA is proposing a pilot program to study 5/5 and 6/4 options for drivers to split their sleeper berth time. And other news: The agency's inflation-adjusted fines for regs violations; Be wary of increased traffic, delays in D.C. next week.

January 14, 2021

After weakened demand in 2020, diesel prices jump back to pre-pandemic levels

The Department of Energy projects fuel prices will stay flat in 2021, while others believe retail diesel prices will continue to climb above and beyond $3 a gallon through the year.

January 12, 2021

Fuel Fueling Truck Stop

SBA auditing truckers' insurance in wake of pandemic disaster loans: Two owners' stories

If you're one of the untold number of owner-operators who took an SBA disaster loan in the spring of 2020, last month you may well have been contacted to verify insurance -- how two operators dealt with it (one smoothly, one not so much).

January 12, 2021

Lance Buttermore's 2015 Kenworth T680 and leased step deck

Protect yourself against questionable brokers

Here are important things to know to protect your interests in dealing with brokers or freight forwarders who are unable or unwilling to pay.

January 11, 2021

The carrier should ensure its name is shown on the bill of lading to help establish entitlement to payment from the shipper in the event of a problem with the broker.

Mexico-based trucker shut down following crash, failed drug test

FMCSA has effectively shut down a Mexico-licensed trucker after a crash in Georgia, a failed drug screening and HOS violations. And other news: TCA unveils its 2021 Best Fleets to Drive For top 20; Love's opens seven new Speedco locations.

January 8, 2021

Trucking trends to watch in 2021: Speed limiters, insurance regs and more

What's on deck for trucking in 2021? Potentially, revival of regs like speed limiters and new mandatory insurance minimums. Also, the freight recovery rolls on -- but for how long? Those issues and other trends to watch in 2021...

January 8, 2021

Speed Limiter Speeding

Welcome to the new Overdrive

We have unveiled a completely new look at OverdriveOnline.com to enhance your user experience and launched a comprehensive redesign of the Overdrive daily email newsletter and the weekend edition newsletter.

January 7, 2021

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DOT Secretary Chao resigns, citing ‘troubling’ events at U.S. Capitol

Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, who has been part of President Trump’s cabinet since his first weeks in office, will resign in wake of the riots at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday.

January 7, 2021

Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced Thursday she would is resigning her position in President Trump's Cabinet.

FMCSA: DOT physicals still authorized for drivers with expired CDLs

An FMCSA notice to certified medical examiners says drivers with expired CDLs can still receive a DOT physical for their medical certificate. And other news: Bison Transport is under new ownership; a Canadian trucker received a Carnegie Medal for helping at an accident scene; I-515 lane closures in Vegas.

January 7, 2021

Managing health care expenses can be daunting for an independent contractor when there are so many choices to consider: health savings accounts, discounted insurance through the Affordable Care Act and marketplaces that specialize in owner-operators.

Overdrive Radio

Trucking with authority and other reasons ‘Why we drive’ — OTR rewind No. 2

In this Overdrive Radio podcast, an update on the last couple of years' push toward one featured trucker's new authority as an owner-operator, and much more.

January 7, 2021

Meet Kenyette Godhigh-Bell, shown here behind the wheel of her 2017 Freightliner Cascadia — you heard that right — Godhigh-Bell is a company driver no more.

Overdrive Extra

As some of its operators called it quits, 9-truck Hettinger persevered through 2020’s bad rates and new regs

Poor rates, health concerns and the new Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse drove away Hettinger's operators in 2020, but the fleet pushed through.

January 7, 2021

Mary Bohl, front, with two Hettinger dispatchers in front of the companys sign in Missouri.

POLL: Your business outlook for 2021?

How long can high rates last with White House changeover, an ongoing pandemic, yet vaccines well on the way? What's likely for your trucking business in 2021?

January 4, 2021

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DOL set to publish final rule to define independent contractor

The Department of Labor will publish a final rule to clarify the definition of independent contractor within the FLSA, though Biden has earmarked it for halting. Other news: Pilot partners with Southern Tire Mart; new Rihm KW in Albert Lea, Minnesota. TA offering warranty service on Odyssey/NorthStar batteries.

January 6, 2021

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From expected Biden DOT, owner-operators look for parking, highways, FLSA reforms

This trio of items adds to those familiar yet newly prominent in Overdrive's reader polling on priorities for an expected new DOT Secretary under Biden.

January 6, 2021

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Analysts optimistic on trucking after chaotic year

2020’s strong second half and prospects for continued high freight demand bode well into 2022, FTR says. However, several factors will affect the timing and intensity of further recovery.

“Wreck on the Mountain Road” is about the death of a trucker on Bent Mountain, just southwest of Roanoke, Virginia.

Fatal wreck remembered in first recorded trucking song

The trucker cap in teacher Amy Watson’s selfie from the day she was tested for COVID-19 later inspired her choice of “long-haulers” to describe COVID survivors with persistent symptoms. “My school’s mascot is a squirrel,” she said, which she finds appropriate, given that her pre-school students, with their short bursts of activity, are “very squirrel-like.”

Trucking’s bit part in the 'COVID long-haulers’ name

Small-fleet owner Jesse McGinness was going for originality with the look of this 2021 Peterbilt 389, spec'ing the black Alcoa rims from the factory. After his maiden voyage in a Class 8 tractor years ago, in a Peterbilt 379, he fell in love with the classic square-hood series. He plans to modify the stacks, the grille and more to all-black finish -- committing sacrilege, says the operator who took him on that first 379 run. McGinness'll maintain plenty in chrome/stainless accents, not to worry. The flattop with lift-axle is powered by the X15 Cummins at 605 hp, with an 18-speed transmission. 'I wanted this truck to be a truck that I thought was cool,' McGinness said, in addition to doing the tough over-dimensional/heavy hauling he'll require of it.

'WTF' stresses service for long-term success

The glider market grew from a few hundred sales a year in 2010 to upwards of 10,000 as recently as 2017. Gliders sported pre-emissions-regs engines -- no exhaust gas recirculation or selective catalytic reduction components and, thus, no need for DEF. With simpler technology and refurbished engines, the products were much cheaper than new trucks with new engines, making them attractive buys for small-business truckers.

Glider kit market hits fatal nosedive with latest emissions regs

Beware: Human smugglers luring truckers along the border

More episodes »

The Business Manual for Owner-Operators

Overdrive editors and ATBS present the industry’s best manual for prospective and committed owner-operators. You’ll find exceptional depth on many issues in the 2021 edition of Partners in Business.

Partners in Business Issue Cover