Here are the headlines from this week in the U.S. trucking industry, as on January 15:

• Tennessee is asking CDL holders for proof of legal residence
• FMCSA targeted North Carolina’s non-domiciled CDLs
• STG Logistics filed for bankruptcy
• Mack Anthem began production

These are the major headlines in trucking, as of January 8:

• DOT cut more of California's funding
• USPS is trimming its use of non-domiciled CDLs
• Autonomous trucking announcements at the Consumer Electronics Show
• Truck orders reached a three-year high

As the transportation industry continues to meet ever more stringent emissions rules from the EPA, especially the latest low NOx rule, new heavy-duty engines and heavy-duty engine oils are on the way as well. Set for rollout at the start of 2027, the American Petroleum Institute's (API) recently approved three key actions to vote on to establish the new heavy-duty engine oil specification, Proposed Category 12 (PC-12): Acceptance of PC-12 technical requirements, PC-12 user language, and Jan. 1, 2027, as the first license date for API Service Category CL-4 and API FB-4.

According to the organization, this new category is supposed to provide more reliability and durability for engines by enhancing oxidative and thermal resistance, wear performance, and compatibility with aftertreatment systems. But don't only take our word for it: In this episode of The Fleet Lead, John Hitch sat down with Karin Haumann, OEM Technical Manager for Shell Rotella and chair of the API New Category development team, to discuss the new category, how it was developed, and how it will impact the trucking industry.

Chapters:

1:00 - Haumann's role

1:42 - What are proposed categories?

3:50 - Oil category differences

5:47 - The process to upgrade oil categories

10:14 - Where are we in the upgrade process? What's next?

12:15 - Upcoming changes

16:54 - Can you use different oils in one truck?

19:00 - Biggest reminders for PC-12

Lawsuit abuse is the second-highest concern among fleet executives in 2025, second only to the economy. When thermonuclear verdicts against carriers are stretching beyond $100 million, they may be getting out of hand.

According to new research form the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform (ILR), those lawsuits against carriers are hindering the U.S. economy. If states reduced commercial auto tort costs over 10 years, it could increase annual GDP by $52.3 billion and create 5.7 million additional jobs.

John Hitch, editor-in-chief of Fleet Maintenance, shines a light on the study with help from Nick Lucas, executive director for research and data analytics at the ILR.

Timestamps:

• 5:11 - Overview of the commercial auto tort cost study
• 7:00 - How litigation impacts everyday prices
• 18:45 - Reducing tort costs have economic benefits
• 24:00 - Third-party litigation funding and transparency
• 30:15 - The need for systemic safeguards

These are the major headlines in trucking, as of December 30:

• DOT targeting Colorado over non-domiciled CDLs
• Standard Forwarding Freight ceased operations
• Advocacy group sues California's CDL cancellation
• Spot rates up, fuel prices down

Have a happy new year!

These are the major headlines in trucking, as of the holiday week of December 23:

• California paused its plans to reissue 17,000 CDLs
• Major rail merger wants to take market share from trucks
• Spot rates made big holiday gains

These are the major headlines in trucking, as of December 18:

• California is suing DOT over terminated transportation funding
• DOT is also threatening New York's funding over non-domiciled CDL practices
• Oregon is ending the Trusted Carrier Partner program
• Prime Inc. faces part of a $44M nuclear verdict
• Legislators launch trucking caucus
• Trailer orders fell sharply
• Diesel dropped 6 cents

ATA's latest chairman and Groendyke Transport's CEO, Greg Hodgen, thinks of himself as an optimist, while others call him a realist. But both perspectives are on display in this episode of The Fleet Lead, where Hodgen and Bulk Transporter Editor Jason McDaniel sat down for a frank conversation about the transportation industry, with a special focus on tank trailers. From discussing the shortage of drivers versus qualified drivers to tort reform and beyond, McDaniel and Hodgen cover the spectrum of realism to optimism in trucking while looking ahead for 2026.

Catch this episode of The Fleet Lead podcast here or search for The Fleet Lead on your favorite podcast app.

Chapter index:

• 1:04 - Hodgen's road to the industry and ATA leadership
• 5:00 - Drivers vs qualified drivers
• 11:53 - The importance of innovation in tank trucking
• 14:01 - Government and regulations
• 23:58 - Tort reform and cybersecurity
• 31:19 - Looking ahead for 2026
• 37:31 - Appreciating the trucking industry