TRUCKERS REPORT – Trucks & Trucking | Business & Commerce

  Cybercrime is no longer just an IT problem for trucking companies. In 2026, it has become a major driver of cargo theft, fraud, and operational disruption across the freight industry. As artificial intelligence becomes more advanced, cybercriminals and organized cargo theft rings are blending digital attacks with physical theft, forcing fleets to rethink how they protect freight, drivers, and revenue. For years, many fleets treated cybersecurity, cargo theft, and operations as separate issues. That approach no longer works. Modern trucking depends on deeply connected systems—dispatch software, telematics, load boards, FMCSA portals, billing platforms, and GPS tracking tools. When one system is compromised, the impact can spread quickly across the entire operation. Trucking Cybersecurity Is Now an Operations Issue According to the National Motor Freight Traffic Association’s 2026 Transportation Industry Cybersecurity Trends Report, threats facing trucking fleets are becoming faster, more organized, and more professional. Criminal groups now operate… ...[TheTopNews] Read More.

After a frustrating 2025, the trucking industry is heading into 2026 with a very different setup. Freight rates failed to deliver the rebound many carriers expected last year, but one major shift did occur behind the scenes: trucking capacity has tightened significantly. According to FTR Transportation Intelligence, for-hire capacity is now close to the lowest level it can reach without triggering widespread carrier failures. That puts the industry in a better position — but only if freight demand finally improves. Avery Vise, vice president of trucking at FTR, described 2025 as “kind of a lost year.” Freight growth never materialized, and carriers spent another year fighting weak demand and thin margins. However, that same environment continued to push capacity out of the market, quietly strengthening the supply side heading into 2026. How Trucking Capacity Tightened The reduction in capacity has been steady and long-term, not sudden. From December… ...[TheTopNews] Read More.

California is moving forward with enforcing its Clean Truck Check requirements on out-of-state trucks, even after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said the state cannot include those vehicles in its federally approved air quality plan. Clean Truck Check, officially known as the Heavy-Duty Inspection and Maintenance (HD I/M) Regulation, is part of California’s effort to reduce emissions from heavy-duty vehicles. The program requires truck owners to register with the California Air Resources Board (CARB), pay annual compliance fees, and prove that emissions control systems are working properly through testing or inspections. While the EPA recently rejected California’s request to apply the rule to trucks registered outside the state under the Clean Air Act, California regulators say enforcement will continue regardless. What the EPA Rejected — and What It Didn’t The EPA said California failed to show that enforcing Clean Truck Check on out-of-state trucks complies with the Commerce… ...[TheTopNews] Read More.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is not backing down from its crackdown on non-domiciled commercial driver licenses (CDLs), even as multiple states object and a federal court has temporarily blocked enforcement of the rule itself. In a new federal notice, FMCSA announced it plans to move forward with a three-year extension of its CDL data collection requirements, signaling that the agency fully intends to enforce the rule as soon as the legal pause is lifted. While the interim final rule (IFR) issued in September remains frozen by a court order, FMCSA is laying the groundwork now so enforcement can begin immediately if the stay is removed. What the Rule Is About The September IFR significantly tightened restrictions on non-domiciled CDLs and commercial learner’s permits (CLPs). These licenses are issued to drivers who are legally allowed to work in the U.S. but are not citizens or permanent… ...[TheTopNews] Read More.

  Artificial intelligence is no longer an experimental technology in trucking. After gaining momentum in 2025, AI is becoming a core part of how fleets, brokers, and shippers operate in 2026. From automating back-office tasks to improving shop efficiency and strengthening cybersecurity, AI is reshaping nearly every part of the industry. According to DAT Freight & Analytics’ 2026 Freight Focus report, 2025 marked a major turning point for technology adoption. AI, automation, and advanced data tools moved from early experimentation into real-world deployment. In 2026, companies that use these tools effectively are expected to gain a competitive advantage, while those that hesitate risk falling behind. AI in Freight Operations and Back-Office Workflows One of the most immediate impacts of AI is in freight administration and workflow automation. Modern transportation management systems and digital freight platforms are embedding AI to reduce manual work and speed up decision-making. Key areas where… ...[TheTopNews] Read More.