Trucking news and briefs for Friday, Aug. 8, 2025:
U.S. DOT wants feedback on next Strategic Plan
The United States Department of Transportation is asking the public to provide input on the development of the DOT Strategic Plan for fiscal years 2026-2030.
The Strategic Plan establishes the department’s strategic goals and objectives for the covered years.
The Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) requires that federal agencies revise and update their strategic plan at the beginning of each new presidential term, and in doing so, solicit input from interested stakeholders. Further, the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 requires that each agency’s strategic plan include an evidence-building plan that identifies and addresses policy questions, which the agency develops in consultation with stakeholders. The DOT’s current and previous Strategic Plans can be accessed online here.
In developing the FY 2026-2030 DOT Strategic Plan, the department is asking for public input on the following questions:
- What strategies or priorities should the DOT adopt to improve the nation’s transportation systems?
- How should DOT measure progress towards the priorities suggested in the previous question?
- What emerging challenges or opportunities in transportation warrant additional DOT activities, investments, research, or analysis?
- How can DOT best create value for its activities with stakeholders?
Comments can be filed beginning Friday, Aug. 8, at www.regulations.gov by searching Docket No. DOT-OST-2025-0963.
The department anticipates that the final DOT Strategic Plan for FY 2026-2030 will be posted on the DOT website around February 2026.
Women in Trucking seeks Influential Woman in Trucking award nominees
The Women in Trucking Association (WIT), in partnership with TrueBlue’s Centerline Drivers, is calling for nominations for the 2025 Influential Woman in Trucking Award, one of the industry’s most prestigious recognitions for female leaders in the trucking profession.
Now in its 15th year, the award honors women who make or influence key decisions in the trucking, transportation, logistics, or supply chain sectors. Eligible nominees must demonstrate exceptional leadership, vision, and a proven record of mentorship, while also serving as role models for others – especially women – across the industry.
“This award is more than just a recognition – it’s a celebration of the bold, forward-thinking women who are shaping the future of transportation,” said Jennifer Hedrick, CAE, president and CEO of WIT. “We are thrilled to once again spotlight their accomplishments and elevate the voices of women who are making a difference across our industry.”
Nominations are open through September 18 and can be submitted online.
The winner will be announced during the 2025 Accelerate! Conference & Expo to be held Nov. 9–12 in Dallas, Texas. Finalists will participate in a panel discussion on Nov. 11, where they will share their personal journeys, leadership philosophies, and advice for rising talent.
Past recipients of the Influential Woman in Trucking Award include some of the most impactful leaders in the trucking industry:
- 2024: Tracy Rushing, Executive Director of Safety and Recruiting, RE Garrison Trucking, Inc.
- 2023: Shelley Simpson, President, J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.
- 2022: Trina Norman, Southern California Feeder Operations Manager, UPS
- 2021: Lily Ley, VP & CIO, PACCAR
- 2020: Kristy Knichel, President, Knichel Logistics, and Jodie Teuton, Co-Founder, Kenworth of Louisiana
Pennsylvania mechanic arrested for falsely certifying commercial trucks, forging inspection stickers
A Pennsylvania mechanic has been arrested for allegedly falsely certifying commercial motor vehicles as safe to travel roadways and forging state inspection stickers for the vehicles.
Fares Farhat
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele said Farhat was doing business as “A+ Auto Inspections” or “A Plus Auto Care LLC,” operating from multiple locations, including Philmont Avenue in Huntingdon Valley in Montgomery County and Torresdale Avenue in Philadelphia.
Pennsylvania State Police began investigating Farhat after Pennsylvania Department of Transportation officials and troopers observed safety inspection stickers that were missing security features, serial numbers of authorized inspection stations and other abnormalities. The counterfeit stickers were found on commercial vehicles that had severe mechanical deficiencies, including worn or separating brake pads and other conditions that would have made them inoperable under Pennsylvania and federal law and taken them out of service. Farhat’s signature was found on the back of these stickers.
Subsequent investigation revealed Farhat was suspended as a certified state inspection mechanic, which prevented him from legally inspecting any vehicle and certifying their safety by issuing Pennsylvania state inspection stickers. Yet Farhat allegedly continued to advertise and conduct both federal and state safety inspections and issued counterfeit Pennsylvania safety inspection certificates/stickers and other associated documents. Those include federal safety inspection certificates/stickers and records of annual inspection forms, and went to various individual truck owners as well as entire fleets in some cases.
While under suspension, charges allege, Farhat obtained counterfeit Pennsylvania safety inspection stickers to convince customers into believing he was providing legitimate annual state and federal inspection services. The investigation found Farhat would accept payment for these illicit inspections, stickers, and forms via Zelle or in cash with individual amounts between $150 and $250 per vehicle.
Many of his customers, most of whom were motor carriers, were unaware that Farhat was not providing them with authentic PA inspection stickers, federal annual inspection stickers and a record of annual inspection form, District Attorney Steele noted. A review of Farhat’s Zelle account found hundreds of transactions with notations of “inspection services,” “inspection” or “sticker” that totaled $76,185.
Additionally, there were hundreds of other transactions that had no notation but were sent by a trucking company or a trucking company official and were similar in payment amounts between $150 and $250. Those transactions totaled $207,892. More than 150 trucking companies had paid for services from Farhat.
“The defendant’s actions are a danger to not only Pennsylvanians but every driver where these trucks, tractor-trailers and other commercial vehicles are operating,” Steele said. “He deemed them safe to operate and provided forged state and federal papers saying so, when, in fact, they aren’t safe and should be taken out of service.”
Farhat was arrested on Aug. 4, on a mouthful of a principal charge: Dealing in the Proceeds of Unlawful Activities, Forgery, Corrupt Organization, Deceptive Business Practices -- Altered Goods, Theft by Deception, Fabricate Physical Evidence, Unsworn Falsification to Authorities, Altered/Forged/Counterfeit Documents or Plates and related charges. He was arraigned and bail was set at $50,000 cash. A bail review hearing was held Aug. 5, and his bail was increased to $99,000 cash. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 15.
