Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, June 16, 2026:
- Should FMCSA have decertified two states’ CDL programs?
- Nearly 8 years in prison for Philadelphia cargo thief.
- Lift gate-equipped dry vans recalled.
- Brakes issue prompts small International recall.
Group claims FMCSA violated federal law by not decertifying New York, California CDL programs
A transportation coalition representing small businesses is asking a federal court to order the Department of Transportation to decertify the CDL licensing programs of New York and California. The petition followed the late-May crash in Virginia involving a Virginia-tested, New York-licensed, Chinese-born bus driver that killed five.
The Small Business in Transportation Coalition (SBTC) filed its petition the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
When FMCSA issued California and New York final notices of substantial non-compliance related to their CDL programs, SBTC argued, U.S. Code “required the Secretary to decertify the CDL-issuing authority of California and New York. ... Congress clearly intended the Secretary [of Transportation] to issue decertification orders as the word ‘shall’ in the statute is a clear directive that does not leave the matter subject to executive discretion.”
As for the federal regulations in 49 CFR 384.405 implementing the U.S. Code, the section pertaining to decertifications contains language that seems to give the FMCSA Administrator some discretion on actions taken to force state compliance.
Asked for comment on SBTC's claims, agency officials speaking on background described a tiered approach to incentivizing states to come back into compliance, starting with withholding of funding.
Federal action taken against New York and California over FMCSA findings of noncompliance resulted in millions lost in each state in federal funding for highway and other programs this year, but stopped short of decertification.
Yet the substantial-noncompliance order against New York specifically did raise the specter of decertification of the entire program.
[Related: DOT pulls $74M from New York over non-domiciled CDL issues]
In its April noncompliance notice, addressed to New York's Department of Motor Vehicles, FMCSA said that its "withholding of Federal funds is the direct and necessary consequence of New York’s own actions and its demonstrated disregard for Federal safety standards."
The federal agency pledged commitment to "working with DMV officials to bring New York’s CDL program into substantial compliance to ensure that further withholding of funds or decertification of New York’s CDL program is unnecessary."
SBTC in its request for relief urged the appeals court not to pay deference to the agency's administrative process, but rather to order FMCSA to "immediately issue decertification orders to California and New York."
[Related: California loses $160M over nondomiciled CDL battle]
Cargo thief sentenced for role in $1.5 million scheme
A man who previously pled guilty to charges related to his role in a large-scale cargo theft conspiracy has been sentenced to 94 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania announced the sentence handed down to Salahudin Reddy, aka “Dean” and “Deen,” 39, of Philadelphia.
Reddy was charged by superseding indictment in December 2024 and pleaded guilty in March of this year to conspiracy, four counts of theft from an interstate shipment, one count of theft of government money, one count of possession of stolen government money, and one count of possession of items from interstate shipment theft.
As detailed in court filings and statements, between Jan. 1 and July 31, 2023, Reddy conspired with co-defendants to steal goods moving as parts of interstate shipments located on tractor-trailers around Philadelphia.
While a trailer was unattended overnight, or while the driver was asleep, the members of the conspiracy participating in the theft would use bolt cutters and other tools to break into the trailer and steal the goods inside. The members of the conspiracy would then offer the goods for sale to local contacts.
Reddy admitted to participating in thefts of hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of frozen crab legs on April 4, 2023, and again on April 6, 2023; the theft of over $360,000 worth of Samsung televisions on April 10, 2023; and the theft of over $230,000 worth of U.S. dimes on April 13, 2023. The members of the conspiracy committed numerous other thefts, stealing goods with a total estimated value of over $1.5 million from more than 10 victims.
[Related: Walmart parking lot dimes heist: Philadelphia cargo theft ring busted]
Lift gate issue prompts Great Dane trailer recall
Great Dane Trailers has recalled a handful of its Champion dry van trailers equipped with lift gates.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents state that in the six affected trailers, the deck pins may break, resulting in the lift gate platform falling.
Great Dane will work with lift gate manufacturer Hiab to inspect and replace the deck pins and bushing kits as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Aug. 10. Owners can contact Great Dane's customer service at 877-369-3493. NHTSA’s recall number is 26V-383.
Severe-duty Internationals recalled
International Motors is recalling approximately nine model year 2026-’27 severe-duty HV units due to a service brake issue.
Recall documents state that in the affected trucks, the service brake may take longer than expected to release. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 121, "Air Brake Systems."
Dealers will replace the 5/8” air line with a 3/4” air line, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Aug. 10. Owners can contact International's customer service at 800-448-7825 with recall number 26506. NHTSA’s recall number is 26V-382.
[Related: 'Do not drive' recalls for new Volvo, Mack trucks]
