Trucking news and briefs for Monday, Dec. 1, 2025:
- Canada’s government is getting tough on independent contractor misclassification in trucking.
- Transmission defect prompts International recall.
- Mack, Volvo issue two recalls each for lighting, load lock bar issue.
Canadian government ramping up enforcement on misclassified truck drivers
While the U.S. government and Department of Transportation have spent much of 2025 focusing on truck drivers’ ability to speak and read English, and limit which non-citizens are allowed to obtain a commercial driver’s license, neighbors to the north are instead focusing on worker classification in trucking.
In a Dec. 1 press release, the Canadian government announced it is “cracking down on misclassification in the federally regulated road transportation sector with an inspection blitz in Hamilton and the Greater Toronto Area, in the coming weeks.”
Specifically, the blitz will look for situations in which a worker is categorized as an independent contractor when they should be an employee. The press release said this practice “strips workers of their rights to minimum wage, paid leaves, and occupational health and safety protections.”
The effort will focus on identifying non-compliance with federal labor standards and workplace health and safety requirements. When misclassification is suspected, the Labour Program will follow up with a full investigation and swiftly issue penalties when violations are found.
Information collected during the blitz will be shared with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to support more coordinated enforcement efforts.
In 2023, the Government of Canada invested $26.3 million over five years to combat employee misclassification in transportation. Since then, the Labour Program’s Misclassification Team conducted more than 670 inspections and 420 educational sessions across Canada. The Labour Program works with the CRA and provincial partners to identify misclassification and other non-compliance in the road transportation sector through joint operations, inspections and outreach.
The government’s announcement follows the Canadian Trucking Association’s October launch of the Stop Illegal Trucking campaign, which targeted the so-called “Driver Inc.” scheme in Canada, where drivers and carriers enter into agreements and drivers incorporate themselves and will then “sell” their driving services to the carrier. Unlike traditional owner-operators, however, the drivers do not own, lease or operate a vehicle and instead drive the carrier’s truck. These drivers are then classified as contractors and companies avoid paying payroll taxes, according to the CTA.
[Related: Canadian Trucking Alliance launches new campaign against ‘Driver Inc.’ contractor scheme]
Transmission issue prompts recall of 11K Internationals
International Motors is recalling approximately 11,418 model year 2023-‘26 LT and RH trucks, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents.
The recall was initiated because the transmission’s auto neutral function may not recognize that the parking brake has been applied, failing to shift the transmission into neutral.
If the transmission does not recognize that the parking brake is applied, it can remain in gear. If the transmission remains in gear while the service brakes are not applied, the engine’s Initial Vehicle Movement (IVM) mode may begin to apply torque to the driveline, possibly causing the vehicle to move unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The recall population was identified by certain trucks built between April 8, 2022, and Oct. 30, 2025, with an International S13 engine, tractor air brakes, and without a Spring Brake Modulator Valve. All other similar vehicles, which are not subject to the recall, are excluded.
The recall includes 8,764 International LT units and 2,654 International RH units.
Dealers will replace the quick release valve on the rear axle, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Jan. 19, 2026. Owners can contact International's customer service at 800-448-7825 with recall number 25524. NHTSA’s recall number is 25V-806.
Volvo, Mack recalling trucks for auto-high-beam lights defect
Volvo Trucks North America and Mack Trucks have each issued recalls because of a defect with the automatic high beams (AHB) feature on the trucks.
According to NHTSA documents, the AHB in the affected units may not switch to low beam headlights as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
High beam headlights that do not switch to low beam as intended can reduce visibility for oncoming traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.
Affected trucks include:
- 14 2026 Volvo VNRs
- 4,873 2024-’26 Volvo VNLs
- 243 2025-’26 Mack Pioneers
- 4 2026 Mack Anthems
As an interim action, Mack and Volvo will update the vehicle software through an over-the-air (OTA) update to disable the AHB feature, free of charge. The final remedy is under development. Interim owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Jan. 17, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners can contact Mack's customer service at 800-866-1177 with recall number SC0488, and Volvo’s customer service at 800-528-6586 with recall number RVXX2511. NHTSA’s recall number for the Volvo recall is 25V-804, while NHTSA’s recall number for the Mack recall is 25V-803.
Load lock clamp failure prompts Volvo, Mack recalls
Volvo and Mack Trucks are recalling others among their flagship on-highway trucks due to an issue in which the load lock clamps, located on the back of the cab, may loosen and cause the load lock bars to become unsecured.
A loose or unsecured load lock bar can result in a loss of cargo, the recall notes, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
The recalls affect approximately 1,859 model year 2024-’26 Volvo VNL units and approximately 46 model year 2025-’26 Mack Pioneer units.
Dealers will replace the load lock clamps, free of charge. The remedy clamps will be fabricated from steel as opposed to plastic.
Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Jan. 15, 2026. Owners can contact Volvo Trucks' customer service at 800-528-6586 with recall number RVXX2512. NHTSA’s recall number is 25V-802. Mack owners can contact Mack customer service at 1-800-866-1177 with recall number SC0489. NHTSA’s recall number is 25V-801.
