Effort to curtail issuance of CDLs to non-domiciled drivers is part of a larger battle over immigration policy
It was never meant to get this way. The Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 laid out the rules for issue of a commercial
Cliff Abbott
- About Cliff Abbott
- Cliff Abbott is an experienced commercial vehicle driver and owner-operator who still holds a CDL in his home state of Alabama. In nearly 40 years in trucking, he’s been an instructor and trainer and has managed safety and recruiting operations for several carriers. Having never lost his love of the road, Cliff has written a book and hundreds of songs and has been writing for The Trucker for more than a decade.
Posts by Cliff Abbott
A business plan is the essential first step in starting a trucking business
So, you’re ready to buy a truck and strike out on your own. No more company dispatchers or corporate red tape! You’ll book your own
Tailgating is more than just a nuisance: Proper following distance is a trucker’s best protection against accidents
One of the biggest benefits of autonomous vehicle systems is that they tend to do what they’re programmed to do. In contrast, you can teach
Jobs that pay by 1099 come with increased responsibility for benefits and taxes
It’s a tempting offer. A “job,” but it’ll be paid on a 1099. You’ll be an “Independent Contractor” but you’ll be driving their truck. The
2025 ends with surge of new Class 8 truck sales — but not enough to offset declines
It’s no surprise that U.S. sales of new Class 8 trucks were higher in December than November. That’s something that happens every year. What IS
Mixed economic data points to slow freight market growth into 2026
The size of the nation’s trucking fleet has continued to shrink, decreasing the capacity “supply” available to haul the available economic demand — but will
Moving over to Motus: FMCSA says new registration system will streamline process
There’s a new registration system coming from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). We’re talking about carrier registration — as in the process of
Owner-ops: Knowing your cost per mile is business basics
Making a living in the trucking industry is currently a tough go. Costs are high, rates are low and predicting what comes next is a
Truck inspections: Who decides the criteria needed for safe operation of CMVs?
Pop quiz: What’s the legal requirement for tread depth on commercial motor vehicle (CMV) tires in the U.S.? If you ask this question of just
Adoption of autonomous Class 8 trucks will be a gradual evolution, not a sudden change
On Dec. 11, 2025, we published a story about autonomous trucks: “Autonomous trucks are here and ready to work. Is the industry ready?” The piece
Looking for a new truck driving job? Know your rights under the FCRA
The word “credit” in the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) suggests the law applies to applications for loans and credit cards, which it does. However,
Signs point upward for trucking, but freight rates remain stubbornly sluggish going into 2026
The trucking industry received some positive news in December, helping generate optimism about an improving freight market. • On Dec. 10, 2025, the Federal Reserve
TCA Driver of the Year: Cheema’s Scott Lindsey shares both his knowledge and his success with peers
Even the most experienced driver can learn something new, especially when it concerns a side of the trucking industry that isn’t seen from the cab
When it comes to safety, FMCSA’s self-certification programs don’t make the grade
In the past decade, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has attempted to tighten control over multiple aspects of the trucking industry with the
Worst November since Great Recession: Class 8 truck sales, orders continue decline
November 2025 was the worst November for U.S. sales of new Class 8 trucks since the “Great Recession” of 2008-2010, according to data received from
Legislative outlook: 2026 will be a year of action for the freight industry
On November 19, 2025, North American trucking executives gathered in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, for the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) Bridging Border Barriers conference to discuss
Sliding into 2026: Light at the end of the freight recession tunnel may be too late for some
Many carriers began 2025 with high hopes that trucking conditions were turning the corner, ending the long “freight recession.” The ones that still survive are
Attention drivers: The DOT physical exam is a chance to take control of your health — and your life
The requirements for driving a commercial motor vehicle go far beyond operating skills — so much so that the government has a dedicated agency to
Autonomous trucks are here and ready to work. Is the industry ready?
“It’s not ‘coming,’ it’s here. It’s like ‘Veni, vidi, vici’ — I came, I saw, I conquered.” This statement, made by Ann Rundle, ACT Research’s
Knowledge on the go: Instructional pocket guides are useful tools for drivers
By the time a truck driver is on his third or fourth job, they’ve accumulated a nice collection of booklets that they received in the