Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, April 21, 2026:
Covenant/Landair request renewal of pre-CDL team-driving exemption
Landair Transport, doing business as Covenant Transport (CCJ Top 250, No. 36), is petitioning the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for an extension to an existing exemption that allows the company’s pre-CDL commercial learner’s permit holders to effectively run team.
FMCSA granted the exemption in 2024, allowing a CLP holder who has passed the CDL skills test to operate a Covenant Logistics truck without a co-driver in the passenger seat.
As with other similar exemptions granted to C.R. England, CRST, and other fleets, the waiver allows CLP holders who have passed the CDL skills test but not yet returned to their home state to obtain their CDL to essentially drive in team operations with another driver in the truck, but not necessarily in the passenger seat as required by federal regulations.
At the time the exemption was first granted, Covenant said that granting the waiver would allow these drivers to “begin immediate and productive on-the-job training” and allow them “to improve their recently acquired driving skill set and put them to work immediately at an income that meets or exceeds industry standards.”
Covenant is requesting a 5-year renewal of the exemption. FMCSA will accept public comments on the request beginning Tuesday, April 21, for 30 days at www.regulations.gov by searching Docket No. FMCSA-2024-0063.
[Related: FMCSA grants pre-CDL exemption to another fleet]
Saia expands in Northeast
Saia Inc. (CCJ Top 250, No. 18) has opened its newest terminal in York, Pennsylvania, further enhancing the company’s growing network in the Northeast. The new facility commenced operations Monday, April 20.
The York terminal features 74 doors, expanding Saia’s capacity to support increased shipment volumes while improving transit times and service reliability for customers throughout central Pennsylvania and surrounding markets, the company said.
“Expanding our network in key markets like York allows us to better serve our customers with the speed, reliability and flexibility they expect from Saia,” said Saia Executive Vice President of Operations Patrick Sugar. “This new facility strengthens our Northeast coverage and positions us to support continued growth across the region.”
Strategically located to serve one of Pennsylvania’s key distribution corridors, the York terminal enhances connectivity between major metropolitan areas in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. The additional capacity will enable more efficient freight movement while supporting local and regional businesses with dependable LTL service.
ATRI president plans 2027 retirement
Rebecca Brewster, President of the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), has announced that she will retire in early 2027 after serving the organization for 34 years, 25 of which she has led ATRI as its president and chief operating officer.
Rebecca Brewster
“Serving the trucking industry through ATRI has been one of the greatest privileges of my life and I sincerely appreciate the Board’s long-time support of and confidence in my leadership,” said Brewster. “The ATRI team is well-positioned to carry on ATRI’s mission of research to improve the industry’s safety and productivity and I look forward to working with the new leader on the transition.”
ATRI’s Board of Directors, led by Werner Enterprises Chairman Derek Leathers, has appointed a search committee of Board members to identify Brewster’s successor. ATRI Board member Brenda Neville, Iowa Motor Truck Association President and CEO, will chair the search committee.
“Rebecca’s leadership of ATRI has made a lasting impact on the trucking industry,” said Leathers. “We are grateful for her three decades of leadership and the legacy she will leave behind.”
In May, the ATRI search committee will commence its work to identify a new leader.
