Author: Trucker Talk Radio

Updated Guidance from FMCSA on English Proficiency for Drivers The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has released new guidelines for law enforcement to assess whether commercial vehicle drivers have adequate English language proficiency (ELP) to prevent citations or out-of-service orders. Executive Order Mandating English Proficiency Enforcement In late April, President Trump enacted an Executive Order (EO) mandating the enforcement of existing ELP standards for truck drivers. This order aimed to reverse a 2016 policy that stated commercial vehicle drivers should not be placed out of service due to ELP violations. Following the EO, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance modified…

Dive Brief: The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.’s Office of the Inspector General reported that “lax lending practices” were primarily responsible for the failure of Citizens Bank, based in Sac City, Iowa, in November. Since 2014, Citizens Bank has issued commercial loans to trucking companies without adequate risk management, expertise, and board oversight, leading to a situation where, by last June, these loans constituted 43% of the bank’s portfolio. The bank management’s failure to address flagged concerns by regulators contributed to the bank’s downfall, resulting in an estimated loss of $14.8 million to the Deposit Insurance Fund, which is 23% of…

New Federal Entry-Level Driver Training Requirements Starting February 7, 2022, new federal Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations will take effect, creating a uniform standard nationwide for obtaining a commercial driver’s license (CDL). These updated ELDT rules will specifically apply to drivers who wish to: Obtain their CDL for the first time; Upgrade their existing CDL from Class B to Class A; or Acquire a new hazmat, passenger, or school bus endorsement. In summary, the changes primarily affect new applicants, while current CDL holders will largely remain unaffected. Background on ELDT Changes This update has been anticipated for some time. The…

The owner of a trucking company based in Rochester, New York, has been sentenced to 45 months in federal prison after being found guilty of providing false information to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Anatoliy Kirik, also referred to as Tony, was convicted by a jury in June in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York. According to U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo’s office, evidence presented at trial indicated that Kirik’s actions posed a serious risk to the safety of highways due to unsafe trucks. Sentencing Details While federal guidelines suggested a sentence of 41…

WM Leadership Transition and Technological Advances John Morris, WM’s new President and COO, recalls his experiences driving waste vehicles during college, a time when drivers often rode on the back of trucks and windows were the only source of ventilation. Now overseeing field operations, Morris manages a fleet of over 18,000 vehicles equipped with advanced technologies for enhanced safety and efficiency. He remarks, “The technology in these trucks is vastly superior to what it used to be.” Vision for WM’s Future Recently named president, Morris will continue his previous field operations responsibilities. Executives in areas such as sustainability and customer…

Bret Michaels on the Open Road Bret Michaels, renowned rock star and lead vocalist of Poison, expresses his love for traveling and driving. In an interview with Fox News Digital, he shared, “Traveling is something I adore. If I hadn’t had a successful music career, I might have been a long-haul trucker or a DJ. Music is therapeutic for me.” The Challenges of Balancing Family and Work Michaels, who became a father to daughters Raine, 24, and Jorja, 19, admits that juggling family life with his touring schedule can be challenging. He reflects, “It’s bittersweet when your kids have special…

Funding Announcement from High Definition Vehicle Insurance High Definition Vehicle Insurance (HDVI), a provider of commercial auto insurance, revealed on Wednesday that it has secured an additional $40 million in funding from existing investors, including 8VC, Autotech Ventures, Munich Re Ventures, and Weatherford Capital. This funding aims to enhance the development of data-driven solutions and discount programs targeting the trucking sector. Total Capital Raised Since its inception in 2017 by Chuck Wallace and Reid Spitz, the company has accumulated a total of $87 million in funding. Leadership Changes As part of this announcement, Reid Spitz, the former president of HDVI,…

Growing Presence of Autonomous Trucks Autonomous trucks are starting to operate in various states across the U.S., carrying out pilot tests and increasingly venturing into commercial routes. However, as more fleets consider automated trucks as the future of long-haul innovation, a patchwork of state laws concerning the technology may hinder widespread acceptance. Inconsistent State Regulations At least 20 states have enacted laws pertaining to autonomous vehicles, with Kansas and Oklahoma being the latest additions. While states like Texas are recognized for their favorable regulations regarding automated vehicles, others impose more restrictive measures against driverless vehicle deployment. Challenges Posed by State-Level…

Strengthening the U.S. Supply Chain with Truck Driver Incentives Lawmakers have put forward a new proposal aimed at enhancing the U.S. supply chain by offering tax incentives of up to $7,500 to assist the trucking industry in retaining its drivers. Bipartisan Initiative Reintroduced The bipartisan “Strengthening Supply Chains through Truck Driver Incentives Act” was reintroduced on March 27, 2025, by Representatives Pat Ryan and Zachary Nunn. Tax Credits for Truck Drivers This legislation aims to promote truck driving through a two-year refundable tax credit of up to $7,500 for drivers with a valid Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL) who…

UK Athletics and Community Support In response to UK Athletics’ call for help, the Big Blue Nation stepped up, and it’s no surprise. Tornado Relief Drive Following severe weather that wreaked havoc in parts of Kentucky, UK football player Jager Burton and basketball player Trent Noah led a tornado relief initiative outside Kroger Field on Thursday and Friday. Donations—ranging from tools like rakes and shovels to essential items such as cleaning supplies, paper products, flashlights, and lanterns—were collected to assist victims in Laurel and Pulaski Counties. A Generous Community The initiative began with an empty Kentucky football equipment trailer, usually…