Trucking news and briefs for Monday, Dec. 22, 2025:
ATA petitions FMCSA for under-21 waiver, yet trucking org opposes
The American Trucking Associations last month filed a petition with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to effectively renew the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program (SDAP) that allowed 18-20-year-old truck drivers to haul interstate for a five-year period.
ATA’s petition, published at www.regulations.gov on Dec. 8, requested that FMCSA “allow 18- 20-year-old apprentice drivers to continue to be onboarded and trained for the motor carriers that FMCSA has previously approved to participate in SDAP,” adding that the exemption would “allow approved motor carriers to continue onboarding and training new apprentices after the Nov. 7, 2025, expiration of SDAP.”
ATA contended in its petition that “the program is working. While the total number of participants has been low, the safety and operational results for these participants are solid, and the outlook is promising if the program were to be continued.”
In a Dec. 17 letter to FMCSA, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association urged FMCSA to reject ATA’s request. OOIDA said “research has consistently shown that younger truck drivers have higher crash rates than drivers who are 21 and older. Generally, younger drivers are more likely to be involved in fatal crashes because they lack driving experience, driving skills, and tend to take greater risks on the road.”
The organization added that allowing younger drivers “to operate in interstate commerce without necessary restrictions and oversight is a needless threat to public safety.”
OOIDA is instead advocating for the passage of the recently introduced ROUTE Act, which would allow under-21 CDL holders to cross state lines, as long as they stay within 150 air miles of their work-reporting location.
[Related: House bill would allow under-21 interstate drivers, with limitations]
FMCSA provisionally renews HOS waiver for railroad orgs
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued a six-month provisional renewal of an exemption for railroad associations that allows employees of member railroads to drive beyond standard hours-of-service limits under certain conditions.
The waiver was granted to the Association of American Railroads and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association and member railroads. It allows employees of the associations’ member railroads, subject to the HOS rules, to respond to unplanned events that occur outside of, or extend beyond, an employee’s normal work hours.
The waiver allows drivers to operate beyond their 14th hour on-duty, up to 17 hours, but drivers would not be allowed to exceed 11 hours of driving time. It also allows drivers to extend the 60-hour/70-hour rule by no more than 6 hours. Drivers operating under the exemption would not be allowed to travel more than 300 air miles from their normal work-reporting location or terminal.
According to the request, the 14-hour and 60-/70-hour rules “inhibit a railroad’s ability to respond expeditiously to certain types of emergency situations.” Unplanned events that occur in which the waiver may be required include: a derailment; a rail failure or other report of dangerous track condition; a disruption to the electric propulsion system; a bridge strike; a disabled vehicle on the track; a train collision; weather- and storm-related events; a matter of national security; a matter concerning public safety; and a blocked grade crossing.
The provisional renewal is effective from Dec. 18 through June 18, 2026. FMCSA is accepting comments for 30 days on a potential full renewal of the exemption. Comments can be filed at www.regulations.gov by searching Docket No. FMCSA-2020-0171.
Volvo donates new VNL to local children’s museum
Children, along with VNTNA President Peter Voorhoeve and Joe Rieke, president and CEO of the Miriam P. Brenner Children’s Museum, unveil the All-New Volvo VNL 840 truck exhibit during a ceremony at the museum.Volvo Group North America
Volvo Group North America is continuing its ongoing partnership with the Miriam P. Brenner Children’s Museum in Greensboro, North Carolina -- where the company is headquartered -- by donating an all-new Volvo VNL 840 to be featured in a permanent interactive display. The truck was unveiled during a ceremony earlier this month at the museum.
Children of all ages can enjoy the new full-sized VNL 840 and explore the cockpit and sleeper cab to better understand the purpose and importance of trucking to society. The new truck replaces a Volvo VNL 670, which was donated to the museum in 2012.
“Engaging with children and the greater community through this interactive display allows for a better understanding of trucking’s vital role in the economy,” said Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America. “Volvo Trucks’ North American headquarters is based in Greensboro, and it is very important for us to invest in the communities in which we are located. We also hope this display will encourage some children to pursue the many different career opportunities available to them in the trucking industry.”
The VNL 840 is Volvo’s flagship model, featuring a premium 74-inch sleeper cab.
“We know from experience that when kids have the chance to merge their imagination with real-world experiences, incredible things happen,” said Joe Rieke, president and CEO of the Miriam P. Brenner Children’s Museum. “This partnership with Volvo Group North America allows us to do exactly that. We’re thrilled to give our community a chance to play and engage with technology that moves the world, designed right here in Greensboro.”
Nagle Companies’ boss receives local trucking award
Nagle Companies' President Ed Nagle was awarded the 2025 Distinguished Service Award from the Toledo Trucking Association.Toledo Trucking Association
Nagle, a longtime TTA board member, has served on numerous boards and associations to champion policy initiatives that support drivers and strengthen the industry.
"Ed consistently leads by example,” TTA said in presenting the award. “His impact on both our industry and our community is immeasurable.”
