U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy rolled out the National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS) – a new interdepartmental plan to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries on our nation’s roadways. Thanks to President Trump and Secretary Duffy’s work over the last year and a half, traffic deaths have already fallen to record lows in 2025.

“President Trump and I are committed to keeping American families safe on our roads. In the past year alone, we’ve partnered with law enforcement agencies to step up traffic enforcement, removed dangerous foreign truck drivers off the roads, and launched new educational campaigns on the dangers of distracted driving, drunk driving, and driving without a seat belt,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “This new strategy builds on that progress by doubling down on our coordination with the police, enhancing our anti-congestion initiatives, and embracing automotive innovation to make our streets safer than ever.” 

This Strategy will make American roads safer for families, truckers, commuters, and construction workers by prioritizing three core objectives:

• Safer People: USDOT is doubling down on safety for families in rural, urban, and tribal communities. That means stronger support for transportation workers and first responders and a renewed commitment to law enforcement after the previous administration turned its back on them.
• Safer Roads: Through more innovative road design, targeted bottleneck relief, and cracking down on dangerous truck drivers, USDOT will keep traffic moving while reducing congestion and improve crash outcomes, including secondary crashes.
• Safer Vehicles: To ensure America stays a leader in vehicle safety, USDOT is modernizing safety standards, advancing a national automated vehicle strategy, and investing in tech to reduce preventable crashes.

Additional Information:

The Strategy aligns with the Department’s recently released Strategic Plan for building a safer, stronger, and more efficient transportation system.

The full National Roadway Safety Strategy is available here.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin today announced preliminary results for the agencies’ second wave of Operation Highway Shield. The joint mission targeted unqualified foreign drivers operating big rigs across U.S. highways and freight corridors in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Ohio.

Working alongside state highway patrols, inspectors from Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) conducted roadside checks to crack down on illegal, unvetted drivers and unsafe vehicles. During the three-day push, law enforcement officers:

• Detained 51 illegal immigrants, including 21 drivers with non-domiciled commercial driver licenses (CDLs) issued by California and New York. 
• Placed 766 unsafe drivers and vehicles out of service.
• Arrested 86 operators for dangerous behavior (including road rage and domestic violence).
• Issued 36 violations for failing English Language Proficiency tests.
  Recovered nearly $1 million in stolen cargo.

“Every life lost from an illegal trucker behind the wheel of a big rig is a completely preventable tragedy – and this administration will not stand for it,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. "Our new partnership with DHS builds on President Trump’s progress to secure our roads, eliminate fraud, and restore the integrity of trucking in America. I want to thank Secretary Mullin for collaborating with us on this mission as we continue to crack down on unqualified and unvetted foreign drivers. If you continue to illegally operate a big rig  – your days on America’s streets are numbered.”

In its first wave, Operation Highway Shield conducted more than 3,300 inspections in Florida in March, which resulted in 176 drivers being taken out of service, 54 of which were taken out of service for language deficiencies. Additionally, 35 individuals were arrested on criminal-related charges, and 42 individuals were taken into custody for violating federal immigration laws.  

The second wave was conducted from July 28-30, 2026.

Additional Information:

Last month, FMCSA & HSI announced a joint operation to expand USDOT’s mission to crack down on fraudulent and illegal practices in CDL schools.

In February 2026, USDOT issued a new rule to stop unqualified foreign drivers from obtaining licenses to drive commercial trucks and buses. In that same month, FMCSA conducted Operation SafeDRIVE which resulted in the removal of nearly 2,000 unqualified truckers and vehicles being removed from American roads, as well as 56 arrests.

Since President Trump issued the Executive Order to restore integrity to the trucking industry in April 2025, Secretary Duffy has:

• Knocked 26,000 drivers out of service who could not speak basic English or read road signs
• Shut down 8,000 shady driving schools, and
• Revoked more than 30,000 illegally issued licenses to unvetted foreign drivers

The New Jersey Motor Truck Association was honored to attend the White House announcement of the new Freedom Hauler initiative, a program designed to expand trucking career opportunities for America's military veterans.

NJMTA applauds the White House, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for working together to create a pathway that allows active-duty service members to begin CDL training before leaving the military and transition into rewarding careers in the trucking industry. Just as our veterans have served and delivered for our nation, professional truck drivers continue to deliver for America every day.

New Jersey was well represented at the event by Jeffrey Hermann (Hermann Services), Paola Bossi (VPV Transport), Jose "Pablo" Bossi (VPV Transport), Rob Moshvin (RED Trucking & Logistics), Tom Heimgartner (Best Transportation), Craig McGraw (Trans American Trucking Service), and Chris Lutick (NJMTA) demonstrating the state's strong commitment to supporting veterans and strengthening the trucking workforce.

NJMTA also extends a special thank you to FMCSA Chief Administrator Derek Barrs, who consistently takes the time to engage with attendees and make everyone feel welcome. His leadership and commitment to the industry are greatly appreciated.

Here is how a person becomes a federally authorized motor carrier today.

You apply for a USDOT number. As part of that application, you certify on a form, the MCS-150, that you are knowledgeable about the applicable federal motor carrier safety regulations and, where relevant, the hazardous materials regulations. You check the box. You get your new entrant authority. You start hauling freight. Then, at some point within your first 18 months of operation, FMCSA conducts a safety audit to see how you are actually doing.

Read that sequence again, because the order is the entire issue. You affirm that you know the rules by signing a form. You operate on public highways with an 80,000-pound vehicle. And the real look at whether you understand what you are doing comes after you are already out there doing it.

A lot of people in and around trucking have argued for a long time that this is backwards, that validating a new carrier’s safety knowledge should come before authority is granted, not after. FMCSA is now revisiting exactly that question, and the rulemaking that would address it, dormant for more than 15 years, has a new target date.

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As FMCSA continues supporting the transition to Motus, the USDOT Registration System, launched on May 19, and to help reduce disruption during this transition period, FMCSA has temporarily suspended the inactivation of USDOT numbers for entities that have not completed the required biennial update since June 1. Registrants will receive additional time to complete any required biennial updates and should not worry about inactivation resulting from Motus-related access or system issues. We will share additional guidance as recovery and stabilization efforts continue. 

Other inquiries or ANY issue that needs immediate attention regarding FMCSA Registration or the CMV Industry in general, please call the FMCSA Registration Customer Service Center: 1-800-832-5660, or contact them via the webform: https://ask.fmcsa.dot.gov/app/ticket. They have the resources you need for your FMCSA Registration inquiry. Concomitantly, see table below to guide you in using the FMCSA Customer Service tools.

Category	Recommended Action	Note
Report a Motus Issue	Submit a ticket at the contact center support page.	Make sure you don't duplicate tickets on the same cases you open. Just follow up on them.
Contact Center Support	Phone or Chat. 1-800-832-5660 Contact Us Here	Operating hours have just been extended: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM EST, weekdays, plus Saturdays.
Motus Status Updates	Sign Up for Alerts: Registration Alerts.	Receive information about system fixes as they are addressed.
Self-Service Help	Access Videos: Registration Video Library and Job Aides: Move to Motus Instructions.	Includes resources for Motus navigation basics and HOW-TOs, as well as additional instructions.
Verify Registration	Use Public Search: Public Motus Search capability within Motus.	Search by USDOT Number, legal name, or DBA to see the registration record.

FMCSA Rescinds the Requirement for Electronic Logging Device Operator’s Manual Located in Commercial Motor Vehicles 

FMCSA amends the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) to rescind the requirement for a copy of the electronic logging device (ELD) operator’s manual to be kept in a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). Drivers are required to understand the operation of the ELD on the vehicle to ensure the accuracy of their electronic records of duty status and to present this information during inspections by enforcement officials. There is no readily apparent benefit to continuing to require that the user’s manual be in the CMV given the use of ELDs since December 2019. This final rule eliminates a regulatory burden on motor carriers without compromising safety. Effective date July 22, 2026. Federal Register Notice.

Removal of Self-Reporting Requirement

FMCSA amends the regulations requiring commercial driver's license (CDL) holders to self-report motor vehicle violations to their State of domicile. With the implementation of the exclusive electronic exchange (EEE) of violations between State Drivers Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) in 2024, self-reporting is no longer necessary. This action supports the Administration's deregulatory efforts.

Effective date July 22, 2026. Federal Register Notice

Completed Inspection Report Disposition 

FMCSA amends the regulations to revise the requirement that motor carriers and intermodal equipment providers sign and return a completed roadside inspection form to the issuing State agency. FMCSA is aware that not all issuing State agencies require the return of these reports, and that requiring motor carriers and intermodal equipment providers to submit these reports to a State that does not require, or even request, the return of the form creates an unnecessary burden. Through this change, completed forms will only be returned to those States that request them. This action is in response to a petition for rulemaking from the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA). Effective date July 22, 2026. Federal Register Notice

TAT is accepting nominations through Aug. 15 for its most prestigious award, the Harriet Tubman Award (HTA) presented by WEX^®.  The award, which includes a $5,000 check and a trophy, is given to honor a member of the trucking, bus or energy industry whose direct actions have either helped save or improve the lives of those exploited or prevented human trafficking from taking place. The incident must have taken place in the U.S. or Canada, and nominees need to reside in one of those countries.

If you know someone who deserves to win, check out the nomination process for the award now. 

TAT created the award in 2013 and named it to honor famed abolitionist Harriet Tubman, whose courageous personal actions resulted in the transportation of 70 slaves to freedom through the Underground Railroad and whose overall role in the freedom movement was instrumental in the freeing of thousands more. Born into slavery in 1820, Miss Tubman was the first African American woman buried with full military honors and the first to have the inaugural Liberty ship named after her – the SS Harriet Tubman – by the U.S. Maritime Commission.

The Harriet Tubman Award was presented for the first time the following year to a travel plaza general manager in Washington. You can read the stories of all the past winners here.

“Please, Drivers, share your story if you’ve taken any action to help someone you think might be a trafficking victim or a potential trafficking victim,” said Laura Cyrus, TAT senior director of Industry Training and Outreach, “even if you’re not sure what you did is ‘award worthy.’ The stories of our Harriet Tubman Award winners are important. These stories serve to encourage others in the industry to stay vigilant around this effort.”

If you or someone you know deserves to be considered for the Harriet Tubman Award, please complete the nomination form today!

The Bern Township Police Department would like to remind all motorists that Paul Miller's Law prohibits drivers from using a handheld cell phone or other interactive mobile device while operating a motor vehicle in Pennsylvania. This includes:

Talking on a handheld phone

Texting or emailing

Scrolling social media or browsing the internet

Holding your phone while stopped at a red light or in traffic

Hands-free technology, such as Bluetooth or vehicle-integrated systems, is still permitted.

The law is named in honor of Paul Miller Jr., a 21-year-old Pennsylvania resident who tragically lost his life in 2010 when a distracted tractor-trailer driver reached for his phone while driving. His family's advocacy led to this important legislation aimed at preventing similar tragedies.

During the initial implementation period, officers issued warnings and educated motorists. Beginning early June, 2026, violations are subject to a $50 fine plus court costs and fees.

Distracted driving is entirely preventable. A text message, phone call, or social media notification is never worth a life.

Put the phone down. Eyes on the road. Arrive alive.

The transition to the new MOTUS | USDOT Registration System begins tomorrow night, May 14. This is your final window to update your records in the legacy systems.

Final Checklist:

1. Portal Access: Confirm you can log into the FMCSA Portal.

2. Account Setup: No account? Create one today using your USDOT PIN.

3. Accuracy Check: Ensure your company info and contact details are current.

4. User Audit: Double-check that all authorized users are correctly listed.

5. MCS-150: File your Biennial Update now if it’s due.

Taking these steps today ensures your data migrates correctly to the new platform.

FMCSA Registration | FMCSA

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will soon roll out the agency's new registration system. There are critical steps you must take to prepare for the launch:

Please take the following actions in the FMCSA Portal by May 14, 2026:

• Log into your FMCSA Portal account (portal.fmcsa.dot.gov) to confirm it is active. If you do not have a Portal account, you can create one and use your USDOT PIN to access your information. Obtain your PIN at: safer.fmcsa.dot.gov.
• Please note that FMCSA Portal accounts are disabled after 90 days and archived after 12 months of inactivity. If your account is disabled or archived, reach out to the FMCSA Contact Center at www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/ask-fmcsa to have your account unlocked.
• In the Portal, ensure your company information, operation classification, contact information, and individuals authorized to access your record are all correct.
• You can make updates to your company information in the FMCSA Portal the same way you complete a Biennial Update. Select “Biennial Update (MCS-150)” in the “Registration” tab.

Only the FMCSA Portal Company Official using the same FMCSA Portal Login.gov email will be permitted to claim an account in Motus for the first time. Once your account is successfully linked to Motus, you will no longer need to access the FMCSA Portal to make registration changes.

Please download the “FMCSA Portal Registration User Guide for FMCSA Registered Entities and Associates” at www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/fmcsa-portal-registration-userguide- fmcsa-registered-entities-and-associates.

Stay up to date by visiting www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/resources-hub for the latest information, fact sheets, and more.

If you need assistance, contact the FMCSA 1-800-832-5660.

Motus Launch Sample Letter

Prepare for Motus Flyer

FMCSA Resource Links:

Portal Registration User Guide

Registration Modernization Resources Hub.