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Professional Driver

All Articles(43 articles)

Trucking Business

Oct 11, 20267 min read

Small Trucking Fleets Under Pressure: Revenue Can Look Busy While Cash Runs Thin

Reports of small trucking bankruptcies highlight pressure on carriers. A truck can be moving, the phone can be ringing, and the business can still be running short of cash. Here is why fuel bills, payment timing, and thin margins can strain even a busy operation.

Driver News

Oct 10, 20266 min read

October 1 Trucker Shutdown: The Frustration Was Real. What Did the Data Show?

Did the October 1 trucker strike become a nationwide shutdown? Overdrive's follow-up found that available indicators did not show a substantial national work stoppage — while some drivers said they parked. Here is what the data actually showed.

Owner-Operator Business

Oct 9, 20266 min read

Diesel Relief Helps Only If It Reaches the Truck

Temporary diesel relief could ease cash flow, but availability, state rules, and total operating costs determine what actually reaches a trucker's budget. A policy can look great on a podium and arrive at the pump carrying a much smaller suitcase.

Regulation and Policy

Oct 8, 20267 min read

Trump's Red-Dyed Diesel Order: Read the Details Before the Headline

Trump's October 5 executive order directs penalty relief and possible federal tax deferral on diesel fuel. Here is why deferral differs from permanent tax forgiveness — and what every driver should verify before changing their fueling habits.

Owner-Operator Business

Oct 7, 20267 min read

Diesel Is Still Over $6: The Pump Came Down, but the Pressure Didn't

Diesel eased nationally but remains above $6 per gallon. The West Coast is still at $7.22 and California at $8.08. Here is what October fuel costs actually mean for owner-operators, fill-ups, and load profitability.

Technology and Safety

Oct 2, 20266 min read

Driverless Trucks Still Need a Roadside Safety Process

PrePass and Kodiak AI announced a collaboration to connect autonomous truck inspection data with roadside screening systems. The first implementation is in Texas and Louisiana. Here is what the announcement actually says — and the questions drivers have a right to ask.

Freight Market

Oct 1, 20266 min read

Truck Tonnage Fell Again in August. What Does That Mean for Drivers?

The American Trucking Associations reported its seasonally adjusted for-hire truck tonnage index fell 0.5% in August, following a 1.2% decline in July. Here is what that number actually means for drivers and owner-operators working real lanes.

Trucking Business

Sep 30, 20267 min read

Sixteen Transportation Bankruptcies in Weeks: What Small Fleets Can Learn

FreightWaves identified at least 16 trucking and transportation companies that entered bankruptcy between late August and September 21. The lesson for small carriers is about cash flow, not panic. Here is what the numbers actually mean and what you can do about it.

Road Safety

Sep 29, 20266 min read

Five Lives Lost on I-95: The Safety Lesson Is Bigger Than a Headline

Five people died in a 2024 crash on Interstate 95 in North Carolina. In September 2026, the tractor-trailer driver pleaded guilty to five misdemeanor counts. The loss is the center of this story — and the safety lesson applies to every driver on the road.

Driver Safety and Community

Sep 28, 20266 min read

A Wyoming Rest-Stop Attack Is a Reminder That Driver Safety Includes Every Driver

A Sikh truck driver was attacked with a knife at a Wyoming rest area in September. Authorities charged a suspect with attempted murder. The driver survived. This is a moment to talk honestly about rest-stop safety and the kind of community trucking should be.

Compliance and Operations

Sep 27, 20267 min read

A Carrier Listed as Inactive: What to Check Before the Next Load

A Houston-area trucking business found itself listed as inactive in federal registration records — disrupting its ability to work. Here is what every carrier should know about checking their FMCSA status and what to do if something looks wrong.

Owner-Operator Business

Sep 26, 20267 min read

When a Fill-Up Costs $1,168, the Rate Has to Make Sense

A Cincinnati-area owner-operator recently paid $1,168 for a single fill-up — 182 gallons of diesel at one stop. That is one pump visit, not the week's total fuel bill. Here is how to make sure the load rate actually covers what you are paying.

Philadelphia Cargo Thief Sentenced to More Than 10 Years

Sep 25, 20268 min read

Philadelphia Cargo Thief Sentenced to More Than 10 Years

A Philadelphia man received 121 months in federal prison for his role in a cargo theft conspiracy targeting tractor-trailers. Here's what professional drivers need to know about cargo security.

Freight and Agriculture

Sep 25, 20266 min read

Milk Cannot Wait: Why Fuel Pressure Hits Dairy Haulers Differently

The October 1 shutdown conversation raises a specific concern for dairy freight. Milk moves on a schedule and cannot be rescheduled like a pallet of dry goods. Here is what sustained diesel costs mean for carriers hauling perishable loads.

K&B Transportation Raises Road Warrior Pay to 82 CPM

Industry News

Sep 24, 20267 min read

K&B Transportation Raises Road Warrior Pay to 82 CPM

K&B Transportation's Road Warrior program now advertises 82 CPM and a $1,886 weekly minimum. Here's what drivers should examine beyond CPM before making a career move.

Driver News

Sep 24, 20265 min read

October 1 Truck Shutdown Talk: What Drivers Actually Know

Talk of a nationwide truck shutdown on October 1 is spreading fast. Here is what has actually been confirmed, what has not, and what every driver should do before making a business decision based on a viral number.

683 Hazmat Vehicles Placed Out of Service During 2026 Inspection Blitz

Sep 23, 20267 min read

683 Hazmat Vehicles Placed Out of Service During 2026 Inspection Blitz

More than 5,000 hazmat vehicles were inspected during a five-day U.S.-Canada enforcement initiative, with 683 placed out of service. Here's what the numbers mean for drivers hauling regulated materials.

Nebraska Troopers Seize $50 Million Drug Load From Semi

Sep 22, 20267 min read

Nebraska Troopers Seize $50 Million Drug Load From Semi

Nebraska State Patrol says nearly 20,000 pounds of marijuana, THC and psilocybin products were discovered inside a semi on I-80. Here's what professional drivers need to know about protecting themselves.

Highway Transport Raises Tanker Driver Pay in 2026

Industry News

Sep 21, 20267 min read

Highway Transport Raises Tanker Driver Pay in 2026

Highway Transport has increased pay for experienced tanker drivers, with some OTR positions advertising up to 96 CPM. Here's what drivers should know about specialized freight.

Oil Above $100 Keeps Pressure on Diesel and Trucking Costs

Business

Sep 21, 20263 min read

Oil Above $100 Keeps Pressure on Diesel and Trucking Costs

Oil prices eased Sept. 16 but remained historically elevated, keeping fuel costs near the top of the trucking industry's expense list.

Class 8 Truck Orders Rise as Fleets Prepare for 2027

Sep 20, 20263 min read

Class 8 Truck Orders Rise as Fleets Prepare for 2027

Class 8 orders climbed sharply compared with last year, while manufacturers say filled production slots and improving freight fundamentals are shaping the market.

Roehl Transport Raises Driver Pay Again in 2026

Industry News

Sep 20, 20267 min read

Roehl Transport Raises Driver Pay Again in 2026

Roehl Transport is raising driver compensation for the second time in 2026. Here's what CDL drivers should know before comparing trucking jobs.

Diesel Hits Record $6.49: What Truck Drivers Need to Know

Business

Sep 19, 20267 min read

Diesel Hits Record $6.49: What Truck Drivers Need to Know

Diesel reached another record national average on Sept. 19, 2026. Here's what rising fuel prices mean for owner-operators, company drivers and freight.

Federal Reserve Raises Interest Rates — What Truckers and Small Fleets Should Know

Business

Sep 19, 20263 min read

Federal Reserve Raises Interest Rates — What Truckers and Small Fleets Should Know

The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate for the first time since 2023, a decision that could affect borrowing throughout the economy — including trucking.

Nebraska Troopers Recover $250K in Stolen Speakers From Semi

Sep 18, 20263 min read

Nebraska Troopers Recover $250K in Stolen Speakers From Semi

A Nebraska investigation involving false shipping documents and a trailer full of stolen merchandise highlights the growing importance of freight verification.

National Truck Driver Appreciation Week Gets Congressional Recognition in 2026

Community

Sep 17, 20263 min read

National Truck Driver Appreciation Week Gets Congressional Recognition in 2026

A congressional resolution is putting professional truck drivers in the spotlight during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week.

Federal Enforcement of Foreign-Born CDL Drivers Expands Across Trucking Industry

Regulations

Sep 16, 20263 min read

Federal Enforcement of Foreign-Born CDL Drivers Expands Across Trucking Industry

Federal immigration enforcement and new CDL eligibility rules are converging in the trucking industry, creating significant questions for drivers, carriers and the future commercial-driver workforce.

FMCSA Temporarily Suspends Biennial Update Enforcement: What Carriers Need to Know

Sep 15, 20264 min read

FMCSA Temporarily Suspends Biennial Update Enforcement: What Carriers Need to Know

FMCSA has temporarily suspended biennial update enforcement during the Motus transition. Here's what the relief means for USDOT Numbers, motor carriers, owner-operators, and intrastate carriers.

What Technology Do Truck Drivers Actually Want?

What Technology Do Truck Drivers Actually Want?

There's no shortage of technology built to monitor drivers. But what would drivers actually want built for them — tools that save money, protect careers, and give drivers more control?

Before Signing a Lease-Purchase Agreement, Look Beyond the Weekly Truck Payment

Before Signing a Lease-Purchase Agreement, Look Beyond the Weekly Truck Payment

The truck payment is just one number. Before signing a lease-purchase, you need to understand every cost — and who controls your freight.

Your CDL Is a Business Asset. Treat It Like One.

Your CDL Is a Business Asset. Treat It Like One.

Most drivers think of their CDL as a license. It's actually an income-producing asset — and protecting it requires more than just avoiding tickets.

Trucking Has a Pay Problem Nobody Talks About Enough: Unpaid Work

Sep 9, 20264 min read

Trucking Has a Pay Problem Nobody Talks About Enough: Unpaid Work

Drivers don't only work when the wheels are turning. Pre-trips, fueling, dock waits, and dispatch time all control your schedule — but most of it doesn't show up in your CPM.

Construction Zones: Why Professional Drivers Always Leave Themselves Options

Sep 9, 20264 min read

Construction Zones: Why Professional Drivers Always Leave Themselves Options

Construction zones concentrate every hazard that makes trucking dangerous into one stretch of road. Here's how experienced drivers approach them.

A Pre-Trip Inspection Feels Unnecessary Right Up Until the Day It Isn't

A Pre-Trip Inspection Feels Unnecessary Right Up Until the Day It Isn't

After hundreds of inspections on the same truck, it's easy to go through the motions. Here's why experience should make you better at pre-trips, not more casual about them.

Truck Drivers Shouldn't Be Donating Hours of Their Lives to Warehouses

Sep 8, 20264 min read

Truck Drivers Shouldn't Be Donating Hours of Their Lives to Warehouses

Detention pay has been a problem in trucking for decades. Here's an honest look at why it matters, what's fair, and what drivers can do about it.

Following Distance Might Be the Cheapest Insurance Policy a Truck Driver Has

Sep 8, 20264 min read

Following Distance Might Be the Cheapest Insurance Policy a Truck Driver Has

That space in front of your truck isn't an invitation for cars to merge. It's reaction time — and it's one of the most important safety tools you have.

The Dangerous Part of Driver Fatigue Isn't Always Feeling Sleepy

Sep 7, 20265 min read

The Dangerous Part of Driver Fatigue Isn't Always Feeling Sleepy

You can be awake, alert-seeming, and still dangerously impaired. Here's what experienced drivers watch for — and why fatigue is more deceptive than most people realize.

New Drivers: Stop Judging a Trucking Job by the Cents-Per-Mile Rate Alone

Sep 7, 20265 min read

New Drivers: Stop Judging a Trucking Job by the Cents-Per-Mile Rate Alone

CPM looks simple, but it only tells part of the story. Here's what new drivers should actually be calculating before accepting a trucking job.

How to Save on Fuel as an Owner-Operator in 2026

Fuel Savings

Jul 17, 20269 min read

How to Save on Fuel as an Owner-Operator in 2026

Diesel prices can make or break your bottom line. These proven fuel savings strategies — from fuel cards to route planning — can save owner-operators thousands of dollars every year.

Hours of Service

Jul 14, 20268 min read

The Complete Hours of Service Guide for 2026

Everything you need to know about HOS regulations — 11-hour driving limit, 14-hour window, 30-minute break rules, and how to stay compliant on every run.