Podcast: What it’s like driving an autonomous truck, VW emissions scandal’s impact on U.S. truck market

Oct 8, 2015

World Premiere Freightliner Inspiration Truck

What’s it like behind the wheel of a self-driving truck? And how do you get an autonomous endorsement for your CDL? Overdrive Equipment Editor Jack Roberts and OD News Editor James Jaillet talk details of automated trucking — and what impact Volkswagen’s massive emissions cheat scandal has on the American truck landscape — in this podcast:

Indiana-headquartered owner-operator John Penn is making a name for himself amongst his peers for a drive to excel in fuel efficiency and management of customer relationships for steady business. Penn is the October Trucker of the Month, putting him in the running for Overdrive's 2025 Trucker of the Year award.

Trucker of the Month John Penn reaps 10-mpg-plus rewards of two decades learning, growing

Though owner-operator Penn might chalk his success up to dumb luck, his story's clear evidence of smart preparation before he ever bought a truck "trying to learn every facet of the industry," in his words. Today, he's a standout for efficiency above 10 mpg, even in a multistop operation hauling furniture LTL.

'A Touch of Class': Greg Kiser Trucking's custom '08 Pete makes old-school style new

Get your 2025 Highway Report Card: Worst roads, state DOTs, parking deserts

Overdrive Small Fleet Champ for 2025 in the 3-10 Truck Division, Wes Oberman of Oberman Logistics, is among a growing number of owners utilizing telematics-data enagement in tandem with his leased owner-operators to help keep the record clean and costs in line.

ELD-data engagement: Your insurance premiums could depend on it

HP/Poly Voyager Legend 30 and Voyager Legend 50

'Be the best': Lofty goals successfully executed define owner-op John Treadway's trucking career

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Pride & Polish

Overdrive’s annual Pride & Polish virtual truck show attracts entries from across the nation showcasing show-quality design, mechanical ingenuity and plenty of trucking-business pride. Find recent-history awards shows, in-depth features about the winners, and more.