Trucking with OOIDA

The American Transportation Research Institute is out with its annual Top Industry Issues report, and a few new issues cracked the top 10. But what might strike you is the difference between what motor carriers are concerned about and what truck drivers are concerned about. They don’t exactly line up. ATRI President Rebecca Brewster said there’s a lesson there, one that carriers would do well to learn.

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Is the driver shortage narrative finally coming to an end? Mark Schremmer of Land Line Magazine is cautiously optimistic based on a number of recent developments. He tells us why, then looks at the current slate of bills dedicated to English-language proficiency and non-domiciled CDLs (there’s a lot of them, for good reason) and then ahead to medium- and heavy-duty truck tariffs set to take effect (probably) this weekend.

As the conversations around English-language proficiency ramped up several months ago, Professor Alex Scott got curious. So he did what he does. The associate professor of supply chain management at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville started to study the issue, which led to a report titled, “Are English-Language Violations Associated with Unsafe Carriers?” And while the answer to that question may not surprise you, the study yielded important conclusions while also raising important questions about the carriers that are making the problem worse.

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There is no hotter topic in trucking right now than non-domiciled CDLs – and while the Trump administration has made enforcement a focal point, long-standing changes will take an act of Congress. Enter Representative David Rouzer of North Carolina, who recently introduced a bill that would create stricter requirements for the issuance of non-domiciled CDLs. The congressman joins the show to tell us what prompted the move – and why he feels the legislation could pick up bipartisan support on its way to becoming law.

Join the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association:

https://www.ooida.com/membership/

Jimmy Mac’s voice is familiar to anybody who listen to Radio Nemo – but how much do you know about the man you hear on the mic every morning? We set out to find out what makes Jimmy tick.

Join the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association:

https://www.ooida.com/membership/

Tired of watching your rights eroded:

https://fightingfortruckers.com/

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Women In Trucking is hosting its annual Accelerate! Conference and Expo in a couple weeks, and Jennifer Hedrick is ready to roll. The president and CEO of Women In Trucking walks us through the event and what to expect.

Join the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association:

https://www.ooida.com/membership/

Tired of watching your rights eroded:

https://fightingfortruckers.com/

Subscribe for FREE to Land Line Magazine (online or print):

https://landline.media/subscribe/

Tom Mullen has a pretty good gig as the chair of the American Trucking and Industry Leader Hall of Fame. They just inducted four new members who have shaped the trucking industry in important ways. Tom tells us about them and their contributions, along with other things that make his job at the American Truck Historical Society so fun.

Join the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association: https://www.ooida.com/membership/

Tired of watching your rights eroded: https://fightingfortruckers.com/

Subscribe for FREE to Land Line Magazine (online or print): https://landline.media/subscribe/<...

Andrew King hates to be the bearer of bad news, but there are new, troubling signs that the freight market may be headed for significant hardship. Nobody wants to hear that, and it’s hard to believe things can get much worse, but the director of the OOIDA Foundation says the data out there can help people make more informed decisions about their business.

When it comes to roadway safety, the iron is hot, and OOIDA isn’t waiting for anyone else to strike it. With all the focus on English-language proficiency measures and non-domiciled CDL rules, the Association is calling on Congress to use that momentum to enhance driver training, licensing and qualification standards. After all, the issues go hand-in-hand. Collin Long, OOIDA director of government affairs, makes the case.

There are a lot of great trucking-centric channels on YouTube. “Trucking Made Successful” is one of them. If you’ve ever watched it, you know Miranda, who helps people make sound business decisions based on current conditions in the market. But it wasn’t that long ago that Miranda was teaching herself. In fact, she still is – and perhaps that’s why her content resonates so much with people, to the tune of 129,000 subscribers and 11.3 million views.

Judge Tommy Fowler has concerns about autonomous vehicles – but they may not entirely line up with yours. The judge for the Craighead County District Court in Arkansas says current laws on the books are nowhere near ready for the long list of new challenges that driverless cars will – and already are – unleashing. Judge Fowler details his concerns from the perspective of the law.

Owner-operator Dustin Ross has been weathering the storm that is this freight recession fairly well, but he knows plenty of people who haven’t. The OOIDA senior member discusses his inclusion in an NPR piece dedicated to the prolonged slowdown and what he’s doing to keep things moving, along with the origins of his father-son trucking company, his 2000 Sterling named Stella and more.

Pennsylvania is going big on parking. The state just announced plans to add more than 1,200 spaces across the commonwealth by the end of next year. The man leading the charge is PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. He tells us what prompted the push, what the plans call for and even his own experiences with a CDL.

Tom Berg loves trucks. Always has. But it wasn’t until he started thumbing through trade magazines at a previous job when he realized he wanted to explore that love of trucks as a career. And he did. The contributing editor of Land Line Magazine walks us through those early days – and takes us down memory lane, recalling some of his favorite trucks over the past several decades.

We may be one step closer to clearing up a long-standing legal question about broker liability. That question being, can freight brokers be held responsible for crashes involving motor carriers they hire? The Supreme Court is taking up a case. Aaron Schepler, senior counsel for Husch Blackwell, walks us through the implications.

There are new indications that the Canadian government is ready to get serious about Driver Inc., the employee misclassification scheme deemed by some to be the biggest threat facing the Canadian trucking industry. OOIDA board member Johanne Couture is among those fighting for change. She joins us from the road (on Thanksgiving in Canada, no less) to help us make sense of the problems being caused by Driver Inc. – and what it’ll take to end the scheme altogether.

Cargo theft is a problem. That’s no surprise. But the American Transportation Research Institute’s newest report on cargo theft puts the problem into perspective. ATRI’s vice president, Jeff Short, walks us through what they found – along with strategies to curb the ever-growing problem.

Lindsay Lawler wears a lot of hats – singer, songwriter, radio host, “queso queen” – but most of all, she wants to be known as a “connector.” And it comes through in work, whether that be through her music or her show We Should Write on Radio Nemo. Lindsay walks us through her life, how trucking entered it, and her lifelong pursuit of forming connections with people from all walks of life.

We’re celebrating the 50th anniversary of Land Line Magazine by welcoming in someone who’s been involved from the start. Todd Spencer reminisces about those early days, which included selling his truck to pay for the magazine’s first typesetting machine, and also reflects on everything the magazine has become since. Plus, Spencer Squier used to be a trucker. Now he’s the founder and CEO of Road Dog Coffee Company, which dubs itself as the nation’s first dedicated to showcasing and honoring truckers. And as Squier tells us, this is merely the start of his big plans.

The president recently identified another target for his tariffs: heavy trucks built overseas. Jason Miller, Eli Broad professor of supply chain management, breaks down the possible implications – and lays out why he believes the U.S. economy might already be in recession territory. Then, a recap of this past weekend’s Guilty By Association Truck Show.

When the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance holds its conferences, Lewie Pugh and Doug Morris of OOIDA are usually outnumbered amongst a sea of law enforcement officers, reps from the mega carriers and others. But that’s also why they go – to make sure the voices of small business truckers are heard. Lewie and Doug tell us about the most recent meeting, along with their thoughts on the 2025 Guilty By Association Truck Show. Then, Dan Lindsey explains how a lack of communication led him to launch the Broker-Carrier Summit, which takes place later this month in Florida.

The U.S. Department of Transportation is clamping down on the issuance of non-domiciled CDLs. It’s a conversation that OOIDA has been driving. OOIDA director of government affairs Collin Long reacts to the big news. Plus, September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and therapist Buck Black joins us to shine a light on this important topic.

The Guilty By Association Truck Show is underway and our very own Scott Thompson is there. We'll check in with him. We then speak with OOIDA Member, Richard Horvath about the challenges he’s faced getting his CDL with only one arm. Plus, we get Brent Hutto from truckstop.com to break down all the spot market numbers and get some advice on what the next few months could have in store.

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office has a program that provides CDL training to inmates so they can hit the ground running after release. Deann Bertram joins the show to explain how it’s changing lives. Plus, Danny Ramon of Overhaul details how his company helped stop a suspected cargo theft ring in its tracks.

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance is making a pitch that would limit personal conveyance. But why? Adrienne Gildea, deputy executive director of CVSA, joins the show to explain, while OOIDA president Todd Spencer makes his case on behalf of truck drivers. Plus, the Guilty By Association Truck Show is right around the corner; we'll speak with OOIDA's marketing department about what attendees can expect.

The Truck Leasing Task Force turned up story after story of truck drivers being victimized by predatory lease-purchase agreements. A new bill in Congress would ensure others don’t suffer the same fate. Collin Long and Bryce Mongeon of OOIDA’s Washington D.C. office fill us in. Plus, you’ve got a lot of time to yourself on the road. Jim Hill, technical support specialist for an app called Libby, explains how its audiobooks can fill your cab with sound and entertainment on just about any topic you want – for free.

The U.S. Department of Transportation opened National Truck Driver Appreciation Week with an event in New Jersey, then promptly announced the details of two pilot programs that could lead to more flexibility with hours of service. Jay Grimes, OOIDA director of federal affairs, has the details. Plus, OOIDA board member Harry Smith on his lifelong love for trucking which, as we find out, runs both in the family and in his blood.

As we celebrate you and the work you do, we’ll check in with Rebecca Oyler of the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association to find out what they have planned, along with their efforts to make positive changes on the state and federal levels. Plus, Marty Ellis, driver of the OOIDA tour truck, breaks down what they have in store at a stop in Ohio this week.

Road rumors happen, but that’s exactly what they are until confirmed: rumors. The latest involves the state of Nebraska, CDLs and the country of Kenya. We’ll set the record straight with the help of Tyson Fisher and Mark Schremmer of Land Line Magazine – and cover other news that’s making headlines of late, from the highway bill and the broken DataQ system to tariffs, an exemption request and a new regulatory agenda that puts broker transparency action a little further off.

We all know that free spaces dedicated specifically for tractor-trailers are always welcome – but surveys have shown that truckers also want and need more – from bathrooms and food options to fuel and more. Which yes, describes a truck stop, but Dean Ash has taken that concept and run with it. Dean is the CEO of Truckers Paradise, a truck stop in Gainesville, Texas that’s really more like a truckers’ village. The concept is simple, but powerful – provide truck drivers a place where they can park safely, for free, and give them all those things they want and need. On today’s...

This episode of Trucking with OOIDA is all about redefining the truck stop experience. Hosts Ashley Blackford and Scott Thompson sit down with Dean Ash, CEO of Truckers Paradise in Gainesville, Texas, to talk about his innovative “truckers’ village” concept.

From free, safe parking to bathrooms, food options, fuel, and more, Truckers Paradise is designed to meet the real needs of professional drivers. Dean shares how the concept was born, how it’s grown, and what the future holds for this unique driver-focused destination.

Tune in to learn:

How Truckers Paradise...

We recently rebutted a report that has been claiming on social media that there is no truck parking shortage (there most certainly is). Today, we let Lewie Pugh, executive vice president of OOIDA, off the chain to go after the claims, with some assistance from Tyson Fisher, associate editor of Land Line Magazine. Plus, OOIDA member Natasha Cruz-Sanchez breaks down her petition that’s asking the U.S. DOT to establish English-language proficiency as a formal endorsement.

The guys at Road Law have just about seen it all as practicing attorneys working on behalf of commercial truck drivers. Jeff McConnell and James Mennella join the show to break down their careers, a few memorable cases that left an impression and more.

On this episode of Road Gang Radio, host Jimmy Mac welcomes a special father-daughter duo dedicated to keeping International truck history alive: George and Shelby Kirkham of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.

George Kirkham is the Dealer Principal of Southland International Trucks, Ltd., celebrating 40 years in business. A lifelong gearhead, he has completed 19 full frame-off restorations as part of the Kirkham International Motor Truck Collection. As an ATHS Life Member and recipient of the 2024 ATHS Museum Award, George works closely with International’s corporate historian to preserve the brand’s legacy.

Shel...

Let’s be clear from the start: there is a truck parking shortage. But there’s a new “study” out there claiming the opposite. Not only does that fly in the face of extensive research, it runs counter to the everyday experiences of truck drivers. Andrew King of the OOIDA Foundation returns to debunk the claims and lay out the real facts. Plus, Artie Crawford of the National Motor Freight Traffic Association sounds the alarm about cybersecurity threats from China that may be targeting equipment in your truck.

Welcome to Trucking with OOIDA – where we put the issues that matter to truckers front and center. Since 1973, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) has had the backs of professional drivers, and this show keeps that tradition alive.

In this episode, hosts Ashley Blackford and Scott Thompson tackle two critical topics:

Truck Parking Shortage: A new “study” claims there isn’t a shortage, but that doesn’t match the facts—or the daily experiences of truckers across the country. Andrew King of the OOIDA Foundation returns to set the record strai...

If you’ve ever even thought about customizing your truck, you’re likely aware of Chrome Shop Mafia and 4 State Trucks – which means you’re also aware of Bryan “Bossman” Martin and the outstanding work he and his team do. Bryan joins the show in an encore presentation to discuss his career, the upcoming Guilty By Association Truck Show in Joplin, Missouri and more.

There’s a renewed effort on Capitol Hill to allow bigger and heavier trucks on U.S. roadways, but just as they have been from the start, OOIDA is pushing back. Bryce Mongeon, OOIDA director of legislative affairs, provides an update and a call to action. Plus, Chris Hughes of the Ohio DOT breaks down the state’s active and ongoing response to the truck parking shortage. They’re not just talking the talk, they’re walking the walk.

U.S. Representative Josh Brecheen is busy hosting town halls in Oklahoma right now, but takes some time to call in to Trucking with OOIDA to talk about his ongoing attempts to keep FMCSA from imposing a speed limiter mandate – now or ever. Plus, Kim Kelley, a survivor of cult abuse and child trafficking, joins the show to share what signs to look for, and how to take action if you spot them, to possibly save someone’s childhood and life.

From action on non-domiciled CDLs and the planned reversal of a key finding that led to years of strict emission standards to autonomous trucks and the cross-border trucking economy, Tyson Fisher and Mark Schremmer of Land Line Magazine join Scott and Ashley to discuss how OOIDA is driving the conversation on behalf of truckers. Plus, Danielle “The Fraud Girl” Spinelli breaks down the latest schemes going around – with tips on staying off fraudsters’ radars.