Trucking news and briefs for Friday, Sept. 5, 2025:
New legislation would codify ELP enforcement, legal resident CDL issuance
Following the high-profile, triple-fatal illegal U-turn crash on the Florida turnpike last month involving Harjinder Singh that stoked the flames of the already-hot debate over English language proficiency requirements for truck drivers, a U.S. Senator from Florida is introducing new legislation that would codify CDL issuance standards and require states to report on their efforts to uphold ELP requirements.
Announced by Sen. Ashley Moody (R-Florida), the legislation, dubbed the Safer Truckers Act, would add two additional requirements to the standards that are administered by the federal government to states for CDL issuance. Compliance on these additional standards would directly impact the federal funds the states receive from the Department of Transportation, Moody said.
The first requirement would ensure that CDLs are only awarded to U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, or a holder of a valid work visa. The bill would add a provision to the existing CDL standards to require that someone being issued a CDL or CLP “be a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States or authorized by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to engage in employment in the United States that includes driving a commercial motor vehicle.”
[Related: Florida setting up English proficiency checks at ag inspection sites]
The legislation would also require states to report to the federal government on their efforts to uphold the English proficiency requirements, reinforcing President Donald Trump’s executive order on ELP. The provision specifies that, by Dec. 31 each year, states “submit to the Secretary [of Transportation] a report describing the policies and actions of the State to uphold and enforce the English-language proficiency requirements for drivers of commercial motor vehicles.”
Failure to adhere to these two provisions, Moody said, would jeopardize a state’s eligibility funding and becomes the mechanism by which the federal government can force compliance from sanctuary states like California and Washington.
“If you’re a commercial truck driver in America, being able to competently read the road signs in English isn’t optional… it’s the job,” Moody said. “That’s why I’m introducing the Safer Truckers Act to prevent what we saw just happen in my home state where an illegal alien, who failed his English Language Proficiency test, made a dangerous U-Turn in the middle of an interstate and killed three people. States must ensure that folks are safe on our roadways and if they don’t, they should forfeit federal funds.”
Alix Miller, president and CEO of the Florida Trucking Association, applauded the introduction of the bill. “The number one priority for the trucking industry is safety,” Miller said. “Senator Moody’s proposal will close loopholes that have allowed unauthorized and unqualified drivers to operate heavy commercial vehicles and reinforce the integrity of our licensing system; improving security on America’s highways.”
[Related: U.S. 'pausing' work visas for commercial truck drivers]
Michigan man guilty of maliciously setting fires to Swift trailers
Last month, a federal jury in Arizona found Viorel Pricop, 66, of Allen Park, Michigan, guilty of three counts of arson of a vehicle or property in interstate commerce. Pricop has been in federal custody since October 2022.
According to evidence presented at an eight-day trial, Pricop maliciously set fire to three semi-truck trailers belonging to Swift Transportation (CCJ Top 250, No. 4) as part of a larger pattern of arsons targeting Swift. Two of the arsons occurred in Willcox, Arizona, and one occurred in Holbrook, Arizona. In each of the incidents, the Swift-owned trailer was parked at or near a truck stop when Pricop set a fire on or near the trailer tires.
According to other evidence presented at trial, Pricop set at least 16 additional Swift trailers on fire in multiple states between October 2021 and September 2022. These arsons occurred at locations spanning Barstow, California, to McCalla, Alabama, with most occurring along I-10 and I-40.
Federal criminal charges associated with some of the fires were filed against Pricop in several districts and were the basis of a 2024 criminal trial in the Central District of California, where Pricop was found guilty of six arsons. He was sentenced to 10 years, 1 month of prison and ordered to pay $648,384 in restitution in that case.
An analysis of cellular data showed that a specific device -- later determined to be used by Pricop for navigation -- had connected to cell towers in the vicinity and around the times of the fires. Pricop’s cellphone was also located in the general area of all three Arizona fires. Additional items, including a gas torch, lighters, and fuel-soaked rags were found in the Pricop’s vehicle.
United States District Judge John C. Hinderaker has scheduled a Nov. 13 sentencing hearing, at which time Pricop will face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison for each count.
Logistics Plus announces acquisition of LoadDelivered Logistics
Third-party logistics provider Logistics Plus, Inc. announced Thursday that it has acquired LoadDelivered Logistics, a Chicago-based freight brokerage business.
With this acquisition, LoadDelivered Logistics will continue operating under its well-established legacy brand while working closely with the Logistics Plus North American Division (NAD) brokerage team. This collaboration will provide customers with holistic transportation management solutions while leveraging back-office synergies across both organizations, the companies said.
"LoadDelivered Logistics has built a strong reputation for exceptional service and customer care, a culture shared by Logistics Plus,” said Yuriy Ostapyak, Chief Operating Officer for Logistics Plus. “By combining their strengths with our growing North American brokerage division, we can offer shippers even greater coverage, technology, and expertise while preserving what makes each organization unique."
The addition of LoadDelivered Logistics expands the Logistics Plus North American footprint, the company added.
"This acquisition represents another step forward in our commitment to helping customers navigate complex supply chains," added Craig Warnhuis, Director of North American Operations for Logistics Plus. "Together, we will create a more robust and scalable platform for shippers seeking reliable and flexible transportation solutions."
