Life

A wrap on MATS. Keep tuned for much, much more

MATS is nothing if not among the biggest wells of trucking news and culture around the nation, year after year after year. We'll be rolling out all manner of reports, videos, podcasts, analyses and biz resources gathered here for weeks to come.

March 28, 2026

Truck driver charged for allegedly hitting stopped state trooper in New York

New York issues reminder to move over for stopped vehicles after truck driver allegedly hits state trooper vehicle stopped on Thruway. Also: Arizona Border Patrol arrests 11 Indian national truck drivers illegally present in U.S.; new rest area in Indiana adds truck parking.

March 27, 2026

The tractor-trailer, registered to Longhorn Trucking Company of Fort Plain, New York, was moved to the Thruway Verona tandem lot for inspection by the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit, where damage to the left trailer wheels and rims was identified. The patrol vehicle was towed off scene.

Diesel Laptops founder Tyler Robertson: New Howes Hall of Fame member

Howes Products announced Tyler Robertson, founder and CEO of Diesel Laptops, as the newest member of the Howes Hall of Fame for his outstanding contributions to the diesel industry. Likewise: His company’s unwavering commitment to supporting technicians, fleets and equipment owners across North America.

March 26, 2026

Robertson (right) with Howes President Robert Howes II at the company booth in North Wing of th Kentuck Convention Center, with MATS ongoing through Saturday.

Trucking crime: Illegal export of snakes, drug trafficking, loan fraud

Border officers intercepted 39 live pythons in the cab of a truck bound for Mexico. Also: Owner-operator among three charged in drug trafficking bust; former fleet owner pleads guilty to COVID loan fraud.

March 25, 2026

A live python is removed from a bag, part of an interception of 39 live pythons by CBP officers at the World Trade Bridge.

New Orleans staged-accident case rolls up guilty lawyers: Two attorneys, firms convicted at trial

Two attorneys, two law firms and another individual were convicted for their roles in the scheme targeting trucking companies and their insurers. Also: Mexican national truck driver allegedly found with 20 pounds of meth in truck in Oklahoma; Arizona enforcement blitz this week.

March 23, 2026

Court Gavel Jail Adobe Stock 382900306

MATS to kick off with regs/biz news, custom trucks, antique trucks (did we say trucks?)

The big event is nearly here, thousands of plans have been laid, and March 26-28 in Louisville, Kentucky, MATS will feature perhaps the very biggest collection of vintage and custom rigs, vendors and suppliers, and owner-operators the nation over. Hope to see you there.

March 20, 2026

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Florida inspectors spot magnetic diesel-theft device

Florida inspectors found a strange magnetic diesel stealing device on a truck and arrested the driver. Also: FMCSA studying medium-duty truck crash causes.

March 17, 2026

Amended Dalilah's Law targets English-only CDL, ban of foreign dispatch

Dalilah’s Law (H.R. 5688), which heads to the House Committee this week, seeks to mandate English-only CDL testing and ban certain foreign dispatchers.

March 16, 2026

Dalilah Coleman, who in June 2024 was involved in a violent wreck with a semi driven by an illegal alien from India named Partap Singh.

Vehicular homicide: Truck driver charged after illegal U-turn in Kentucky

A Chicago-based driver was charged with DUI, vehicular homicide and more for failing a post-crash saliva test after an illegal U-turn resulted in a fatality. Also: DAT launches new DAT One widget for iPhones; new truck stop in southern Washington.

March 13, 2026

New Jersey ‘IT error’ causes 0 ELP violations reported to FMCSA in 2026

New Jersey has long been a quiet outlier, continuing to issue non-domiciled CDLs and chalking up 0 ELP violations in 2026. A spokesperson explains why.

March 12, 2026

New Alabama law sets fines for ELP violations, fraudulent foreign CDLs

The new law requires Mexican and Canadian CDL holders to possess additional entry documents to prove their ability to work in the U.S., and also establishes fines for operators who cannot demonstrate English proficiency at roadside.

March 12, 2026

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Former fleet owner at head of trucking Ponzi scheme to pay $51 million in restitution

After being sentenced to 23 years in prison last summer, Sanjay Singh has been ordered to pay back $51 million. Also: New nonprofit aims to help veterans become owner-operators; Women in Trucking names Driver of the Year finalists.

March 12, 2026

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DHS shakeup: Will Markwayne Mullin continue Trump's immigration crackdown in trucking?

Trump's pick to lead DHS, Markwayne Mullin, has a history with trucking and comes from the most hardcore state in the nation when it comes to banning non-domiciled CDLs and non-English speakers from driving.

March 11, 2026

Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma)

Pell Grant expansion could cover CDL training | $4M bribery penalty for FedEx contractor

As required by Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill, the Education Department is proposing a new "Workforce Pell Grant" that would cover CDL programs. Also: Fleet owner to forfeit nearly $4M from FedEx Ground bribery scheme; ATA's Women in Motion Council calls for more truck parking funding.

March 11, 2026

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California DMV slams Trump's 'war on immigration' after losing 2 major legal battles

Big losses in state and federal courts force California to revoke thousands of non-domiciled CDLs and scramble to keep non-citizens driving even passenger cars.

March 9, 2026

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Fleet owner admits to scamming Amazon out of $3.5 million

The Connecticut-based owner admitted to registering numerous fake and fraudulent businesses to haul loads for Amazon, submitting false invoices that Amazon paid. Also: Five truckers named TCA Pro Drivers of the Year; another autonomous trucking firm eyes a commercial rollout.

March 9, 2026

California to lose CDL issuing ability? March 6 deadline for 17,000 non-domiciled CDL drivers intensifies pressure

California on Friday had to choose between revoking 17,000 non-domiciled CDLs or losing its ability to issue CDLs at all. Early indications show they caved to federal pressure.

March 6, 2026

BlueParrott headset improves noise cancelation

The new M500-XT Bluetooth headset provides up to 93% noise cancelation, 11 hours of talk time and more.

March 6, 2026

Blueparrott Headsets M500xt

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Randy Menkel and Never Satisfied Builds/J&L Contracting took home top honors in the 2026 Big Rig Build-Off at the Mid-America Trucking Show with their full-custom 1985 Peterbilt 359.

PKY results: Never Satisfied Builds' 1985 Peterbilt 359 captures big Build-Off win

Dozens of other trucks were recognized in a variety of categories, including Limited Mileage Bobtail and Combo, Working Bobtail and Combo, and many more.

Enter your own or another deserving owner's business (up to 3 trucks) in Overdrive's 2026 Trucker of the Year competition via this link.

Trucker of the Year John Penn honored at MATS among owner-op peers

DOT Secretary Sean Duffy talks to Overdrive ahead of his speech at the Mid-America Trucking Show. Both FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs and Duffy walked among the show attendees, answering questions off the cuff and vowing major change.

DOT's Duffy: 'Spot rates are going to go up' as FMCSA cracks down on fraudsters

Never Satisfied Builds brought this custom 1985 Peterbilt 359 for its entry in the MATS Big Rig Build-Off. Sitting on a 320-inch wheelbase, the truck boasts a 650-hp 5EK Cat with an 18-speed and a 4-speed auxiliary and 3.70 rears.

Early scenes from MATS: Custom trucks put on a show

Hacker Gloves Cargo Theft Steel Coil

FMCSA announces major investigations at freight fraud panel

Overdimensional permitting: Will there ever be a truly national system?

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