President Trump’s Department of Transportation is slashing burdensome trucking regulations and investing $275 million to expand critical truck parking, making life easier for the men and women who keep America’s supply chain moving.
Key Takeaways
- The Department of Transportation has withdrawn the controversial speed limiter mandate for heavy-duty trucks, citing lack of safety justification
- A substantial $275 million in grant funding has been allocated to address the critical nationwide shortage of truck parking
- Hours-of-service regulations will be made more flexible through pilot programs allowing drivers to pause their driving clock
- DOT is cracking down on unlawful brokering practices and enhancing digital tools to support truckers
- The reforms maintain important exemptions while removing needless regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations
Trump Administration Delivers Major Wins for America’s Truckers
The Department of Transportation under President Trump has unveiled a comprehensive package of reforms aimed at improving working conditions for truck drivers while enhancing road safety across America. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced nine significant initiatives designed to reduce regulatory burdens that have long plagued the trucking industry. The reforms represent a decisive shift away from one-size-fits-all federal mandates toward policies that respect the expertise of professional drivers and support the essential role they play in America’s economy.
Central to the reform package is the withdrawal of a contentious proposal that would have mandated speed limiters for heavy-duty commercial vehicles. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) determined the proposed rule lacked sufficient safety justification and could potentially create new hazards. This decision aligns with concerns raised by driver advocacy groups that speed differentials between trucks and other vehicles would increase the risk of accidents on highways.
“Forcing trucks to operate below the speed of traffic makes roads less safe by creating speed differences and more risky interactions,” said Todd Spencer, President of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA).
Addressing Critical Infrastructure Needs
The most substantial component of the reform package is the allocation of over $275 million in grant funding to expand truck parking capacity nationwide. This addresses one of the industry’s most pressing concerns, as drivers frequently struggle to find safe and legal places to rest. The investment represents a recognition that adequate parking infrastructure is essential not only for driver well-being but also for compliance with mandatory rest periods and overall highway safety. Additional grant programs are being opened to further support this critical infrastructure need.
“Truckers keep America running. While the country sleeps, truckers grind through the night to help keep shelves stocked, families fed and businesses humming. It’s a job that requires grit and dedication. But for too long, Washington, D.C., has made work harder for truckers. That ends today. Thanks to President Trump, we’re getting Washington out of your trucks and your business,” said Secretary Sean Duffy.
Hours-of-service regulations are also receiving much-needed attention through new pilot programs that will test pausing the driving clock and additional split sleeper berth options. These changes acknowledge the realities faced by drivers who must navigate unpredictable traffic conditions, loading delays, and other challenges that make rigid time constraints impractical. By providing greater flexibility, the reforms aim to reduce driver stress and fatigue while maintaining safety standards.
Modernizing Tools and Tackling Industry Abuses
The DOT is taking significant steps to modernize digital resources available to truckers, including improvements to the DataQ process to ensure fairness and due process. The National Consumer Complaint Database is being overhauled for better usability, making it easier for drivers to report concerns and for regulators to address them. These technological enhancements reflect an understanding that effective regulation requires accessible and responsive systems that work for all stakeholders in the industry.
“These steps not only improve the daily lives of truckers across America, but also enhance safety for everyone on the road. For years, truckers have urged Washington to address the severe shortage of truck parking, eliminate the dangers posed by a national speed limiter mandate, and give drivers greater control over their hours-of-service. We thank President Trump and Secretary Duffy for listening to the men and women behind the wheel who keep America’s economy moving,” said Todd Spencer, OOIDA’s president and CEO.
In a move to protect honest operators, the DOT is intensifying efforts to address unlawful brokering and promote industry fairness. This initiative targets deceptive practices like double-brokering that undermine trust in the freight marketplace and harm both drivers and shippers. Additionally, the reforms maintain the electronic logging device (ELD) exemption for pre-2000 engines while removing unnecessary regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, streamlining compliance for operators without compromising safety standards.
Industry Leaders Applaud Bold Reforms
Both major industry organizations—the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association and the American Trucking Associations—have expressed strong support for the DOT’s actions. The reforms address longstanding concerns raised by the OOIDA, which represents over 150,000 members who own and operate more than 240,000 heavy-duty trucks. Similarly, the ATA, which speaks for the broader trucking industry employing 8.5 million Americans, has welcomed the data-driven approach to reducing regulatory burdens.
“As the leading mover of the nation’s freight, the concerns of our industry not only impact the 8.5 million Americans who work throughout trucking, but they also affect the countless businesses and families we serve across the country. A safe and strong trucking industry is critical to America’s economic growth and security, and data-driven measures like these that reduce regulatory burdens are important steps toward that end,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear.
