Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026:
- No ELD exemption from FMCSA.
- More fuel-related relief in two states.
- Meet the five “Transition Trucking” finalists
FMCSA denies group’s request for ELD exemption
A driver-led trucking organization formed a year ago this month has been denied a petition that would have waived electronic logging device requirements for certain truck drivers.
The Federation of Professional Truckers (FOPT) earlier this year petitioned the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for ELD-mandate relief for its members and other drivers who chose to participate. It would have been monitored through random internal audits from participating carriers with violators being excluded from using the exemption.
FOPT’s request received more than 900 comments on the Federal Register, most of which were in support of the exemption. Among those in opposition were the Truck Safety Coalition, Citizens for Reliable and Safe Highways, and Parents Against Tired Truckers in a joint statement; the American Trucking Associations; the Institute for Safer Trucking and Road Safe America; and the Buchanan Law Firm.
ATA said it “disagrees with arguments about negative impacts from drivers trying to ‘beat the clock’ of an ELD. ELD usage and compliance require no changes of hours-of-service regulations. It is the responsibility of fleets and drivers to plan routes and contingencies within the same hours of service regulations, regardless of whether ELDs or paper logs are in use.”
[Related: Where to find a two/three-hour pause for the 14 clock in the new HOS]
Common themes in comments supporting the request, FMCSA noted, “include the potential to reduce driver stress and improve safety by giving drivers more flexibility and autonomy, and reducing overall costs to the trucking company.”
After evaluating FOPT’s petition and the public comments, FMCSA said it is bound by Congressional mandate in the MAP-21 highway bill to require ELDs for commercial vehicles involved in interstate commerce and “cannot grant a blanket exemption for any driver or carrier that wishes to be exempt.”
Further, FMCSA determined that FOPT’s application didn’t provide information about how the exemption would be as safe or safer than the existing rules.
“FOPT indicated that it would educate its members to ensure accuracy in paper log completion, that participating carriers would conduct random internal audits, and that violations of HOS limits by paper log users would result in exclusion from the exemption program,” FMCSA said in denying the request. “However, FOPT proposed that the exemption would apply to all drivers who wanted to use the exemption, not just to FOPT members. FOPT does not explain how its proposed safety countermeasures would apply to an unknown population of drivers or how violators would be excluded from the exemption program.”
[Related: Federation of Professional Truckers explains ELD exemption push with FMCSA, future plans]
Georgia guv suspends fuel taxes, weight
As national-average fuel prices remain well above $6/gallon, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Sept. 28 issued an emergency declaration suspending gas and diesel taxes in the state for the next 30 days through Oct. 29.
The move followed a similar suspension order effective starting in March in the state for 60 days, and also increases the weight limit for commercial vehicles operating there to 95,000 pounds.
“Over the past several years, with the help of our partners in the General Assembly, we've been able to give billions of dollars in relief to hardworking Georgians,” Kemp said. “We've remained committed to helping them and our small businesses fight through the tough times, and that's why I'm taking this action today to give further relief.”
Georgia's current motor fuel excise tax is 33.3 cents per gallon for gasoline and 37.3 cents for diesel.
Kemp noted the current average price for a gallon of regular gas in Georgia is $4.19 and $6.24 for a gallon of diesel. The suspension of the taxes should bring those prices below $4 and $6 per gallon, respectively.
[Related: Fuel taxes: Finding the cheapest diesel is about more than the pump price]
Texas joins other states in dyed-diesel relief
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday issued a statewide disaster proclamation to allow expanded use of dyed diesel on Texas roads. The proclamation also raises the allowable weight for fuel, agricultural, and timber loads, and suspends Texas Low Emission Diesel (TxLED) rules to the extent the Environmental Protection Agency authorizes.
Abbott also requested in a letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin that the EPA waive federal ultra-low sulfur diesel requirements.
“Texas agriculture and freight run on diesel,” Abbott said. “Record prices put both industries at risk and raise costs for every Texas family. Farmers and truckers can now use dyed diesel on Texas roads, and fuel, crop, and timber loads can move at a higher weight. These steps cut costs on the farm, on the road, and at the store."
In addition to allowing dyed diesel, the proclamation also suspends state oversize and overweight permitting requirements for vehicles loaded with fuel, agricultural, or timber products and allows those loads at a gross weight of up to 95,000 pounds.
Abbott also asked Zeldin for a temporary Clean Air Act waiver of federal ultra-low sulfur diesel rules and the TxLED rules that apply in 110 Texas counties. Those standards limit which diesel can be sold, and a waiver would allow more fuel to reach Texas pumps.
Alabama and Nebraska have also recently suspended dyed-diesel rules.
Red-dyed diesel is typically reserved for off-road uses like farming and logging, and is exempt from most fuel taxes. A recent Reuters report indicates the White House is weighing allowing red-dyed diesel to be sold for broader use to help soften the blow of current sky-high diesel prices.
Five military veterans named ‘Transition Trucking’ finalists
Finalists for the 11th annual “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” award were recently announced by Kenworth Truck Company, Fastport, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's Hiring Our Heroes program.
The award celebrates military veterans who have successfully transitioned into professional truck driving careers. Following a thorough nomination and review process and culminating with a final public vote, the program will honor and reward America's top rookie military veteran drivers.
In Ohio last week, 11 semi-finalists — the “Elite 11” — were distinguished guests at a recognition dinner held at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus. The following day, the Kenworth truck manufacturing plant in Chillicothe hosted the event where finalists were announced, along with an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Kenworth's flagship manufacturing facility.
[Related: Drumroll, please ... Meet your Small Fleet Champ semi-finalists]
This year's class is the most senior in the program's history, with six of the eleven semi-finalists leaving service at E-7 or above, including two Sergeants Major.
The 2026 Transition Trucking finalists, in alphabetical order:
- Mohammad Arzola, U.S. Marine Corps (E-9), Patriot Group International — Arzola enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1997 and served 27 years as a machine gunner, drill instructor and senior enlisted leader, with assignments including 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Raider Battalion, and multiple aviation commands as squadron sergeant major. He deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, earning the Purple Heart and the Combat Action Ribbon. A San Antonio native, Arzola graduated from California Career Schools and logged more than 100,000 safe miles to earn the Spirit of HEB Award before driving for Patriot Group International.
- Monica Brooks-Buck, U.S. Army (E-7), Werner Enterprises — Brooks-Buck is a retired U.S. Army veteran with nearly 25 years of service, including more than 20 years in logistics as a 92Y supply specialist and an Army Master Driver. She graduated from the Truck Driver Institute in Saucier, Mississippi, and joined Werner in September 2025, where she is a registered apprentice in the Werner Enterprises Truck Driver Apprenticeship. Brooks-Buck drives as part of a team with her husband while pursuing studies in information technology. She belongs to the Women In Trucking Association and Disabled American Veterans.
- Daniel Doss, U.S. Air Force (E-5), Melton Truck Lines — Staff Sergeant Doss was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 2015, serving 10 years as a fuels specialist. He supported humanitarian relief operations following Hurricane Michael, served on the Base Honor Guard rendering final military honors to veterans, and led fuel operations and maintenance teams stateside and on deployment to the United Arab Emirates. He graduated from Troops Into Transportation at Fort Benning and joined Melton in September 2025, where he drives flatbed as a registered apprentice. He and his wife have three children.
- Brandon Ward, U.S. Navy (E-8), Werner Enterprises — Senior Chief Petty Officer Ward retired twice before he ever climbed into a Class 8 truck. He served more than 22 years in the U.S. Navy as a Master-at-Arms and Expeditionary Warfare Specialist, then built a senior career with the Department of Homeland Security, where he served as a hiring official and sat on recruitment teams that brought transitioning service members into the federal workforce. He graduated from Roadmaster Drivers School in Orlando in September 2025 and joined Werner later that month as a registered apprentice. A husband and father, he continues to mentor veterans through their own transitions.
- Gary W. Williams, U.S. Army (E-9), Stevens Transport — Command Sergeant Major Williams served 31 years in the U.S. Army as a leader, a medic and a mentor, retiring as a Chief Medical NCO. He graduated from Southern Careers Institute in January 2026 and joined Stevens Transport weeks later, where he has built a stellar safety record and taken to the autonomy and accountability the job demands. Soldiers he once led still call him for advice, and he makes himself available to them. He supports the Travis Manion Foundation, turning out for its walks, marches and hikes.
As part of the program, Kenworth will provide the grand prize for the 11th consecutive year. This year's award is a T680 equipped with a 76-inch sleeper and the Paccar Powertrain featuring the Paccar MX-13 engine, Paccar TX-12 automated transmission, and Paccar DX-40 tandem rear axles.
While the grand prize winner will drive away in a state-of-the-art Kenworth T680 truck, the program also ensures every finalist is recognized. The runner-up will receive a $10,000 award, and the remaining finalists will each receive a $5,000 prize. All five finalists and the overall winner will also receive prize packs from Road Dog Care Co., OOIDA and Truck Parking Club.
All five finalists will travel to the United States Military Academy at West Point in December as guests of the program, taking part in a slate of experiences built around the Veteran Ready Summit ahead of the winner announcement.
Public voting for the award will be held from Nov. 1 through Veterans Day, Nov. 11, and is an important factor in the Selection Committee's final deliberations. The final winner will be revealed on Dec. 15 at the Veteran Ready Summit.
