Trucking Weekly Brief: June 17–23, 2025
This past week brought some important updates for the trucking community, from new federal regulations taking effect to ongoing challenges with cargo security. We also saw some positive developments in fleet electrification and continued efforts to highlight the vital role of professional drivers.
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FMCSA’s New Rules Hit the Road
Significant new FMCSA rules regarding English proficiency and medical certification officially went into effect this week. As of June 23rd, certified medical examiners are now required to electronically submit driver medical results through the FMCSA’s National Registry system, meaning drivers can no longer manually submit their medical cards to state agencies. Then, on June 25th, English language proficiency (ELP) enforcement began with roadside inspections, allowing drivers to be removed from service if they cannot communicate in English or recognize standard road signage. These ELP violations have been added to the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria, making compliance crucial to avoid operational shutdowns.
Published: June 23, 2025
The Ultimate Guide to FMCSA’s June 2025 Rule Rollouts: What Every Fleet Must Know - FreightWaves -
Battling the Rise of Cargo Theft
A recent report from the American Trucking Associations (ATA) highlights a concerning trend: an “explosive rise” in cargo theft across the nation’s supply chains. This escalating operational risk directly impacts carriers’ profitability and the overall integrity of the supply chain. The increase suggests that current security measures may need bolstering, and new vulnerabilities are being exploited, leading to higher financial losses for both carriers and shippers. This situation underscores the urgent need for enhanced security solutions and real-time tracking to protect valuable freight on the road.
Published: June 20, 2025
https://www.trucking.org/news-insights/freight-under-fire-explosive-rise-cargo-theft -
PepsiCo’s EV Fleet Fuels Big Savings
PepsiCo is reporting impressive results from its investment in electric semi-trucks, anticipating nearly $1 million in fuel savings by charging its fleet of 50 electric semitrucks at its Fresno, California, facility. This substantial saving is largely due to Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s Flex Connect program, which optimizes charging by allowing daytime charging and increasing the site’s capacity. This enables PepsiCo to efficiently charge its entire fleet, with quick turnarounds from zero to 80% in about 40-60 minutes, helping maintain smooth operations. It’s a clear example of how electric vehicle adoption can lead to significant operational cost reductions for large fleets.
Published: June 20, 2025
Supply Chain and Logistics News June 16th - June 19th 2025 - Logistics Viewpoints -
ATA Seeks Next America’s Road Team Captains
The American Trucking Associations (ATA) has officially launched its nationwide search for the 2026-2027 America’s Road Team Captains. This program selects professional truck drivers to serve as elite industry ambassadors, showcasing the critical role truckers play and promoting safety. It’s a valuable opportunity for experienced drivers to represent the profession and inspire the next generation. This initiative is part of a broader industry effort to enhance the public image of trucking and address ongoing labor market challenges, particularly in driver recruitment and retention.
Published: June 18, 2025
https://www.trucking.org/news-insights/ata-launches-nationwide-search-2026-2027-americas-road-team -
Trade Uncertainty Clouds Carrier Outlook
The latest Transport Topics report highlights how shifting U.S. trade policies and tariffs are creating an uncertain landscape for North America’s largest motor carriers. Coming off a challenging 2024 for freight, where market conditions continued to squeeze margins, many top for-hire carriers are still grappling with difficult business planning. The direct link between tariffs and this uncertainty means individual carriers must develop more agile business strategies to navigate unpredictable policy shifts, underscoring the ongoing economic pressures facing the industry.
Published: June 20, 2025
https://www.ttnews.com/articles/trade-uncertainty-carriers
Tools & Tips
- Smart Tire Monitoring: Keep an eye on tools like the **
Anyline Commercial Tire Tread Scanner**. This technology uses artificial intelligence and your smartphone camera to quickly measure tread depth simply by pointing the camera at the tire. It creates a digital model of the tire, linking tread health to individual Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) or license plates, which helps improve tire performance, enhances driver safety, and cuts down on inspection time.
https://www.truckinginfo.com/10235934/hdts-top-20-products-2025
Fun Fact
Did you know that the word “logistics” actually has military roots? The term originated from a 19th-century French word, “logistique,” which was initially and exclusively associated with the transportation of soldiers. It’s fascinating how a term from military strategy became so central to how we move goods and manage supply chains today!
We’d love to hear from you!
Have you participated in any Trucking events or utilized new Trucking tools recently? Share your experiences or insights with us—we’re featuring selected community voices in next week’s edition.