Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026:
- As fuel prices and global demand surge, DOT eases regs for fuel haulers.
- Meet mega broker’s top carriers.
- Fleet raises owner-op, company driver pay.
Gas, diesel haulers get 3 months of HOS relief
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration late Wednesday, Sept. 16, issued a waiver that allows more hours-of-service flexibility for motor carriers transporting gasoline and diesel fuel.
The waiver, effective immediately and valid through Dec. 16, exempts covered drivers from 49 CFR 395.3 (maximum driving time for property-carrying vehicles). Under terms of the waiver:
- A driver cannot drive more than 16 hours in any 24-hour period.
- The driver must take a minimum of a 6 consecutive hour break in the sleeper berth in each 24-hour period. If there is no sleeper berth, the driver must take a minimum 8 consecutive hour off-duty break in each 24-hour period.
- Drivers must maintain a valid CDL for the transportation being conducted with all necessary endorsements and not be subject to an out-of-service order, disqualification, or loss of driving privileges
- Drivers must keep a physical or digital copy of the waiver in their possession when operating under it and present it to law enforcement upon request.
- Motor carriers with a conditional safety rating are not eligible for the relief granted by the waiver.
- At any time, if a driver informs their motor carrier that he or she needs immediate rest, the driver must be permitted immediately to find a suitable, safe resting location and allowed at least 10 consecutive hours off duty before resuming driving.
[Related: Diesel surges past $6/gal. nationwide -- $8-$10 on the horizon?]
The waiver was granted in response “to global supply disruptions, anticipated increases in the demand for gasoline and diesel fuels in the late summer and fall, and to mitigate impacts on the costs and availability of fuel for transportation service providers, agricultural harvesting, and the traveling public as the demand increases,” FMCSA said in the waiver.
The agency added that it believes the “circumstances surrounding this waiver are unique and the waiver essential to facilitate timely and efficient fuel movement and support fuel availability during the last portion of the summer and most of the fall given acute fuel supply issues.”
As reported earlier this week, diesel prices hit a new record high during the week ending Sept. 14, surpassing $6 per gallon nationally. Additionally, U.S. diesel inventories are at record lows for this time of year.
C.H. Robinson names 2026 Carriers of the Year
Mega-broker C.H. Robinson on Thursday announced the recipients of its 2026 Carrier of the Year Awards, recognizing 17 carriers across North America for exceptional performance, safety, and service.
Presented during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, the awards honor outstanding carriers ranging from single-truck owner-operators to large national fleets operating hundreds of trucks, and all branches of the industry, including heavy-haul, temperature-controlled freight, and cross-border service.
“These companies represent the best of our high-quality carrier network,” said Michael Castagnetto, President of North American Surface Transportation at C.H. Robinson. “They've earned the trust of both our customers and our teams through consistent performance, operational excellence and a commitment to doing the right thing. No matter the market conditions, they continue to adapt, deliver and help keep supply chains moving. We appreciate the opportunity to work alongside these carriers every day because they play a critical role in helping us create stronger supply chains and better outcomes for our customers.”
Award nominees were evaluated using a broad range of operational criteria, with safety and transparency serving as foundational requirements.
C.H. Robinson’s 2026 Carrier of the Year Award winners:
- Owner-Operator: Mack Transport, McAllen, Texas
- Small-1: AGF Transportation LLC, Ringwood, New Jersey
- Small-2: Light Express LLC, Massillon, Ohio
- Mid-Size-1: Sunrise Trucking Inc., French Camp, California
- Mid-Size-2: Nevoya, Perris, California
- Mid-Size-3: State Express, Lemont, Illinois
- Large-1: Halvor Lines, Inc., Superior, Wisconsin
- Large-2: May Trucking Company, Salem, Oregon
- Temperature-Controlled: Walter P. Rawl & Sons, Inc., Pelion, South Carolina
- Specialized Heavy-Haul: Hicks Trucking Company, Litchfield, Minnesota
- Flatbed: KST Logistics, Inc., Manteca, California (KST is also a semi-finalist for Overdrive’s 2026 Small Fleet Championship award)
- Cross Border: Multimodal Esquer, Inc., San Diego, California
- Mexico: Transportes Saldaña, Nogales, Sonora, Mexico
- Canada: C.H. Logistics, Brampton, Ontario
- Private Fleet: Tempur Sealy International, Lexington, Kentucky
- LTL-National: Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc., Thomasville, North Carolina
- LTL-Regional: Dayton Freight Lines, Dayton, Ohio
Roehl announces second driver pay increase of 2026
Roehl Transport announced its second truck driver pay increase this year, a move that will position Roehl's top earning drivers among the highest-paid drivers in the trucking industry, the company said.
With the increase, the company said many of its drivers will be “earning well over $100,000 annually while getting home weekly, and in some cases daily.”
The company also announced a significant compensation increase for owner-operators and lease operators who partner with Roehl. A company representative told Overdrive that its owner-ops can expect to get a 4.9% compensation increase.
“We believe Roehl drivers should earn more,” said CEO Rick Roehl, who still maintains his CDL and hauls loads to stay close to the work and service Roehl drivers provide to customers. “Thank you, drivers, for your commitment to being on time, Driving the Roehl Way, living our values, and fulfilling our mission to deliver confidence and satisfaction to our customers,” he added.
The pay increases will be effective Oct. 4 and apply to most company drivers in Roehl’s Refrigerated, Flatbed, Van, Curtainside, and Dedicated Divisions.
Earlier this year, Roehl increased driver pay to reward longevity and tenure, including for those drivers who chose to start and grow their careers through Roehl’s on-the-job CDL training program. The company also increased Certified Driver Trainer compensation and added retention bonuses.
“If you’re a driver who wants to earn more operating well-maintained equipment with a company that is investing in your success, come and thrive as a member of my great team,” CEO Rick Roehl added.
