Now, you can add military veterans to the list of potential truck driving hopefuls thanks to the Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training (CMVOST) grant program. The CMVOST grant program is being funded by a $3.1 million award from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and the grants are part of the Biden-Harris administration’s trillion-dollar Trucking Action Plan (TAP), which had been announ...

With recent renewed efforts by the United States government and the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to address the shortage of over 80,000 drivers in this country, something came to mind during my readings and research. Why would it be such a great idea for newly minted commercial truck drivers to get their start in the world of expedite freight? I mean, seriously. In an industry that prides itself on quick turnaround and fast progression, someone who may be new to ...

A common theme coming from drivers and other like-minded individuals from this year’s Expedite Expo was the idea of no longer driving for someone else, but rather to follow a dream of becoming an independent contractor and thus one’s own boss. Workshops discussed this idea, roundtables elaborated on it, and individual one-on-one conversations permeated the Expo with thoughts and dreams about working for none other than oneself. How It Started Most folks begin their workin...

Recently, legislation was introduced by House Representatives Mike Bost (R-Illinois) and Angie Craig (D-Minnesota) to fund the creation of additional truck parking for the nation’s commercial truck driving community. The legislation has been approved by the House Transportation and Infrastructure panel, and it’ll soon make its way to the House floor for a vote. The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure approved the amended version of the Truck Parking Safet...

Recently, some truck insurance and safety groups have begun questioning the merits of the federal under-21 commercial driver apprenticeship program. However, certain factions of the trucking industry are continuing to back the pilot program. The Safe Driver Apprenticeship Program As it’s currently devised, the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program would allow drivers between the ages of 18-20 years to operate a commercial vehicle in trucking interstate commerce while t...

As the ongoing driver shortage continues, unceremoniously hitting a record high in 2021, many companies and carriers are attempting to turn their attention toward a somewhat untapped resource of trucking talent in the transportation industry. A trucking youth movement if you will, and below are just a handful of suggestions for companies to consider when they're actively trying to inject the industry with new blood. Make Trucking Look Glamorous! Not to say that Instagram is n...

Whether you’ve attended the Expedite Expo in the past or perhaps this was your first foray into expediting exhibitionism, the eternal hope remains that you got what you expected to attain from this year’s forums, and workshops, and exhibits, and Casino Night, and all the other myriad ways you could possibly experience such an event. Kudos to Kristy Lohre, the Expo’s prime planner and overseer, for once again constructing and executing such a tremendous affair. She’s a...

It’s common knowledge that driver turnover rates in the trucking industry tend to hover around or above the 100% mark. However, believe it or not, there are some fleets out there that have figured out a way to reduce their turnover rate. Which has shown to be more beneficial for both driver and company. Here are some suggestions for how to go about providing a better atmosphere for drivers, while lowering turnover. Show Them the Money “Money talks and BS walks,” right?!...

The 2022 Expedite Expo starts next week, July 15th and 16th, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. This is going to be the 21st year for the Expo, the premier gathering opportunity for those who reside in the expedite niche of the transportation industry. It’s a terrific opportunity to network, learn, and grow within yourself and within the trucking world. Our workshops this year are sponsored by Equinox Owner-Operator Solutions. Friday Kicks It Off Friday, July 15th, is the first full d...

They say that every person is going through something that we know nothing about, which is to modestly suggest that we should reserve judgements and keep our own preconceived ideas to ourselves and just let people be. To provide some weight to this train of thought, consider some of the following issues that have been affecting the commercial trucking landscape in recent weeks and months. Rising Fuel Prices Of course, this is the number one issue that typically stands at the ...