Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025:
- In accordance with Health and Human Services guidelines, the U.S. DOT could be adding a deadly drug to its drug-testing panels for truckers.
- What are your biggest concerns with the trucking industry?
- A battery cable issue ID'd -- it could result in a short circuit and a fire in a popular medium-duty model.
- Do your hauls take you through north Texas? A new truck stop could help ease parking issues.
DOT proposes to add fentanyl to drug testing panels
The U.S. Department of Transportation is proposing to amend its drug testing regulations to add fentanyl (a synthetic opioid) and norfentanyl (a metabolite of fentanyl) to its drug testing panels.
The proposed rulemaking would harmonize 49 CFR Part 40 with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs, which DOT must follow for the minimum list of drugs for which DOT requires testing.
“Adding fentanyl and norfentanyl is also in the interest of transportation safety, given compelling information regarding the number of overdose deaths in the United States involving fentanyl,” DOT said in a Federal Register notice published Tuesday.
In a January 2025 Federal Register notice, HHS added fentanyl and norfentanyl to the authorized drug testing panels. DOT’s proposal would adopt those into its drug testing panels.
In addition to adding fentanyl and norfentanyl to the panels, DOT is also proposing:
- Adjust laboratory morphine confirmatory cutoff (urine only)
- Remove the additional requirement for medical review officers to determine clinical evidence of illegal opioid (codeine and morphine use for urine and oral fluid)
- Add and define the term “biomarker” and revise the definitions of “adulterated specimen,” “cutoff,” “initial specimen validity test,” “negative result,” “positive result,” and “substituted specimen” for clarity and consistency with HHS
- Authorize laboratories to conduct biomarker testing once HHS approves laboratory biomarker testing
- Modify analyte nomenclature for marijuana (urine and oral fluid)
- Revise footnote #1 to both testing panels to include more specific and updated criteria for alternate technology initial drug tests
- Add a 30-day requirement for drug collectors, screening test technicians (STTs), and breath alcohol technicians (BATs), within which they must complete the required training and mock collections
- Adding a new "fatal flaw" related to oral fluid specimens
- Modify several provisions related to oral fluid specimens
- Add clarifying language to other provisions (such as oral fluid collector training, SAP documents, and shy bladder/dry mouth procedures)
- Various technical amendments
DOT will accept comments on the proposed changes, which can be read in full here, through Oct. 17. Comments can be filed here.
[Related: Drug, alcohol random-test rates unchanged for 2025]
Owner-ops, fleets asked to rank top trucking concerns
The American Transportation Research Institute has launched its 2025 Top Industry Issues Survey, which asks trucking industry stakeholders to rank the top issues of concern for the industry, along with potential strategies for addressing each issue.
Now in its 21st year, ATRI’s annual analysis not only ranks the issues overall but also provides insights into how critical topics are ranked differently by motor carriers and professional drivers. The report also allows trucking stakeholders to monitor issues over time to better understand which issues are rising, or falling, in criticality.
“ATRI’s annual survey gives truck drivers an opportunity to make our collective concerns known,” said Lloyd Howell, an America’s Road Team Captain and professional truck driver for TCW, Inc. “Whether your top challenge is truck parking, driver compensation, detention at customer facilities, traffic congestion or something else, this is your chance to bring those issues to light. Please take a few minutes to complete the online survey and encourage your peers to do so also.”
New to the issues list this year is English language proficiency, among other issues, including AI in trucking and diesel emission regulations.
In the 2024 survey, truck drivers -- company drivers and owner-operators/independent contractors -- overall rated truck parking as their No. 1 top issue, followed by driver compensation, the economy, detention and speed limiters. Among just the owner-operators and independent contractors who responded to the 2024 survey, the economy ranked as the No. 1 issue, followed by truck parking, broker issues, speed limiters and fuel prices.
The results of the 2025 survey will be released Oct. 26 as part of the American Trucking Associations Management Conference & Exhibition in San Diego, California.
Industry stakeholders are encouraged to complete the 2025 survey available by clicking here. The survey will remain open through Oct. 10.
Medium-duty Internationals recalled for battery cable issue
International Motors is recalling approximately 1,175 model year 2026 International MV trucks in which the battery interconnect cable may contact the auxiliary stud and hold-down bracket, causing a short circuit.
When contact between these components occurs, a short circuit can develop and generate excessive heat, possibly resulting in a fire, the recall documents state.
Dealers will install three wind laces on the battery hold-down and add a J-bolt between each battery to ensure 3 mm of terminal clearance, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Oct. 13. Owners can contact International customer service at 1-800-448-7825 with recall number 25513. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s recall number is 25V-534.
Love’s opens newest Texas location with 59 new truck parking spaces
Love’s Travel Stops is expanding its network with the addition of a new travel stop in Tulia, Texas, at 2851 W TX-86 off Exit 74.
The travel stop is conveniently located where Highway 86 intersects Interstate 27, between existing Love’s locations in Amarillo and Lubbock.
The new location adds 59 truck parking spaces to Love’s nationwide network and includes six diesel bays and a Cat scale.
The location includes a Love’s Fresh Kitchen concept, along with a McDonald’s.
[Related: New mega truck stop aims for unforgettable experience]
