Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025:
FMCSA to launch study on effect of truckers’ schedules on crash risk
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, in a Federal Register notice published Monday, announced it will take a closer look at “driver schedules and how these factors impact overall driver performance and fatigue.”
The new study stems from the 2011 hours-of-service final rule, in which FMCSA said it is committed to analyzing several factors of the rule.
In its notice published Monday, FMCSA said it “needs additional data to answer important questions” to “examine the relative risk of crashes and inspection violations based on various factors related to the driver’s work schedule and demographics.” The research will also look at:
- The relative crash risk by driving hour
- The impact of the changes made in the 2011 HOS rule, including limiting the use of the 34-hour restart provision to once every 168 hours and to require that anyone using the 34-hour restart provision have as part of the restart two periods that include 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.
- Differences in crash risk after 34-hour restarts that include two nights and those that do not
Research will follow a collection of data on HOS, accidents and violations found during inspections. HOS data, as well as incident and crash data, will be obtained as part of the study through an integration with a carrier’s telematics system provider, and other driver demographic information will be provided directly by participating carriers. Records of DOT-recordable crashes and violation records will be obtained through the Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) database.
A third-party contractor, Pulsar Informatics, will develop a publicly available dataset (stripped of personally identifying information) to be housed in the FMCSA Data Repository. Other methods of protecting privacy will be utilized as needed, FMCSA noted.
“Currently, there is no comprehensive, existing data set that can be used for this project,” FMCSA said. “Not collecting this data would result in an incomplete understanding of HOS-related factors that impact crash risk and the impact of alternative schedules as they relate to various aspects of HOS provisions on crash risk in CMV operations.”
As part of the research, FMCSA plans to survey 60 motor carriers to obtain the data. The agency estimates responses from carriers will take just 15 minutes each.
FMCSA will accept comments on the proposed information collection request for 60 days through Jan. 16 about whether the proposed collection is necessary for the performance of FMCSA's functions; the accuracy of the estimated burden; ways for FMCSA to enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the collected information; and ways that the burden could be minimized without reducing the quality of the collected information. Comments can be filed here.
This proposal follows the agency's proposal of two pilot programs aimed at testing potential flexibility enhancements in the hours of service: Expansion of split-sleeper period options and a split-duty pause approach to the 14-hour clock. The comment period for those proposals recently closed.
House bill looks to bar CDL issuance to ‘illegal immigrants’
U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-New Jersey) recently introduced the “No CDLs for Illegals Act,” which would stop states from issuing CDLs to illegal immigrants.
The bill would expand requirements for individuals to obtain a CDL. In addition to the requirement to pass written and driving tests, CDL applicants under terms of the legislation must:
- Present valid documentation proving citizenship status, lawful permanent resident status, or a valid work authorization
- Present valid documentation of domicile in the state in which the CDL is issued
Additionally, for states, the bill would:
- Prohibit a state from issuing a CDL to an individual who is not domiciled in that state
- Require states to use the SAVE system, used by government agencies to verify immigration status and U.S. citizenship of applicants, for any non-citizen applicant for a CDL and deny any applicant if the SAVE system does not confirm lawful presence of the applicant
The legislation also includes provisions to allow the DOT Secretary to suspend funding for states that issue CDLs in violation of the terms of the bill.
Finally, the bill would require that the DOT issue a rulemaking “to set fines for trucking companies that knowingly employ drivers that do not hold a valid” CDL.
Van Drew’s legislation is the latest in a string of bills related to non-domiciled CDLs and English language proficiency for truck drivers. Similar legislation -- the Non-Domiciled CDL Integrity Act introduced by Rep. David Rouzer (R-North Carolina) -- would codify standards for how states issue CDLs to foreign nationals.
Wabash recalls 450 trailers for rear impact guard issues
More than 450 Wabash step deck trailers are being recalled because the incorrect rear impact guards may have been installed on the affected units.
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents, two separate recalls for the same issue are impacting 453 model year 2025-’26 Wabash step decks.
One of the recalls, affecting 295 trailers, are equipped with a rear impact guard with a 66-inch horizontal member that does not conform to certain requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 223, "Rear Impact Guards," and 224, "Rear Impact Protection."
The incorrect guard may not sufficiently protect a following vehicle during a rear-end crash, increasing the risk of injury, the recall notes.
Wabash will replace the rear impact guards, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Dec. 4. Owners may contact Wabash customer service at 1-765-771-5404. NHTSA’s recall number is 25V-762.
The other recall, affecting 158 trailers, includes certain trailers equipped with an aluminum rear impact guard, which may not conform to certain requirements of FMVSS number 223, "Rear Impact Guards."
Wabash will replace the rear impact guards, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Jan. 5. Owners may contact Wabash customer service at 1-765-771-5404. NHTSA’s recall number is 25V-774.
