The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) recently announced that the State of New Jersey has implemented the National Registry II (NRII). This enhancement allows for the electronic transfer of a medical examiner’s certification, required for commercial drivers, directly from medical providers to the NJMVC. It ensures a more efficient and seamless exchange of information for CDL holders.

“We are pleased to announce the implementation of NRII in New Jersey,” said Acting NJMVC Chief Administrator Rosalie Johnson. “The new system and procedures will streamline CDL medical certification handling, reduce errors and increase processing speeds by shifting to electronic transmission instead of relying on paper documents, and bolster highway safety by ensuring that only medically qualified commercial drivers are on the road.”

Under the new system, medical providers are now responsible for submitting the results of medical examinations directly into the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) National Registry. The NJMVC will no longer accept paper medical certificates from holders of commercial driver licenses (CDLs) or commercial learner permits (CLPs). Instead, NJMVC staff will check the registry to verify all compliance and safety standards are met by commercial drivers. Additionally, commercial drivers will have to contact their medical provider directly if any information regarding their medical certification is missing or incorrect, so that it can be updated within the registry.

New Jersey joined NRII following the successful completion of a comprehensive NJMVC system upgrade. This upgrade, which will also improve driver record processing and transaction times, was accomplished without causing any disruption to in-person services at NJMVC facilities statewide.

For more information on commercial driver requirements and NJMVC services, please visit NJMVC.gov.

FMCSA currently seeks 18 drivers to help the agency test and fine-tune two upcoming hours-of-service pilot programs. Over the course of six weeks, these drivers will help us make sure the study plans, training materials, and data collection tools are clear, practical, and ready for broader rollout.

This short, pre-testing phase is an important step in developing the Flexible Sleeper Berth and Split Duty Period pilot programs. Both efforts are part of the U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy’s Pro-Trucker Package and support President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14286, Enforcing Commonsense Rules of the Road for America's Truck Drivers.

The goal of these programs is to test alternatives to the current hours-of-service requirements which have the potential to improve the lives and working conditions of American truck drivers through greater flexibility, while simultaneously maintaining equal or greater levels of safety.

FMCSA is working with researchers at Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) to develop and carry out these hours-of-service pilot programs. To vet the research designs and identify any issues with data collection tools, FMCSA needs drivers to sign up for the six-week pre-tests with VTTI.

The Agency is seeking nine drivers who currently use “split sleeper berth” options (either “8/2” or “7/3”) and, most importantly, who want to test regularly using one or both of these new split options (“6/4” and “5/5”) for six weeks.

FMCSA also needs nine drivers whose schedules currently and regularly require them to drive up to the end of their 14-hour “driving window” and would also like to test the option to “pause” the window for 30 minutes minimum and up to 3 hours maximum by taking an extra break either:

(a) off-duty or in the sleeper berth in any location, or,

(b) on-duty (not driving) at the location of a pickup or delivery of cargo

If you are a driver and would like to apply to participate in the limited pre-testing, visit FMCSA’s Hours-of-Service webpage or follow the links below.

Flexible Sleeper Berth Online Screening Questionnaire

Split Duty Period Online Screening Questionnaire

The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) today called on for-hire motor carriers to participate in its annual Operational Costs of Trucking report.

ATRI’s Operational Costs of Trucking is trusted by thousands of industry decisionmakers every year as a key barometer of freight market conditions and is the leading public benchmarking tool for motor carriers of all sectors, from owner-operators to 10,000+ truck fleets. 

The report tracks cost metrics such as driver pay, equipment expenditures, and insurance premiums as well as key performance indicators such as non-revenue mileage, driver utilization, mileage between breakdowns, and revenue per truck per week.

All participating motor carriers receive a customized report that compares their costs and operations to an anonymized peer group of the same sector and size. New in 2026, customized reports for multi-year participants will also include year-over-year comparisons to more directly evaluate trends over time.

“There are signs of growing opportunities for trucking in 2026, but only if fleets can maintain disciplined, nimble operations,” said Hirschbach Motor Lines Chief Financial Officer Andrew Hadland. “ATRI’s Operational Costs of Trucking and the customized report we receive as participants are important inputs for ensuring healthy performance in our costs and operations despite economic headwinds.”

For-hire motor carriers are invited to participate by Friday, April 24, 2026. Data for the year 2025 can be submitted online or by PDF: both forms are available on ATRI’s website along with a sample customized report and other helpful information for participants. All confidential data is protected and published only in anonymized averages.

New Jersey Planned Restrictions: UPDATE

The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management under the Division of the New Jersey State Police have issued a mandatory travel restriction, and ending 12:00 p.m. on Monday, February 23, 2026, in response to a major winter storm expected to bring heavy snow, blizzard conditions, and strong winds across the state. Travel Restriction Details:

All non-exempt vehicles are prohibited from operating on state, county, municipal, and interstate roadways during this period. The New Jersey Turnpike is exempt from this restriction. Violators may face penalties under state law.

Exemptions: The travel restriction does not apply to:

Emergency and public safety vehicles and personnel Public works and snow removal crews Public transportation vehicles and personnel Government officials conducting official business Utility company vehicles and personnel Healthcare workers and urgent medical travel Personnel supporting emergency shelter operations and human services facilities Delivery of critical medical supplies and services to healthcare facilities News media Private snow removal contractors Patients seeking urgent critical care and their escorts Travel necessary to maintain critical infrastructure and essential services, including energy, fuel, food, pharmacies, and hardware stores Personnel supporting airline and airport operations

Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) Restrictions:

Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) has issued a restriction on all empty tractor-trailers across the following bridges, until further notice: 

• Betsy Ross Bridge
• Walt Whitman Bridge
• Ben Franklin Bridge
• Commodore Barry Bridge 

New York City Restrictions: 

NYCEM reports: Mayor Mamdani has issued a State of Emergency for New York City; a TRAVEL BAN is in effect BEGINNING AT 9PM due to dangerous blizzard conditions. All NON-ESSENTIAL VEHICLES are RESTRICTED from NYC roads until 12PM on 2/23. Vehicles are only permitted for essential & emergency travel.

New York State Planned Restrictions 

Due to the Nor'easter winter storm forecasted to impact eastern New York, the New York State Thruway Authority and the New York State Department of Transportation announce the following vehicle restrictions: ban on tandem trailers and empty trucks/trailers will be in place for the following roadways until further notice:

• I-87: Exit 17 (Newburgh - Scranton- I-84 - NY Routes 17K & 300) to New York City line
• I-287: From New Jersey state line to I-95
• I-95: From New York City line to Connecticut State line.
• I-84 and all New York State Department of Transportation roadways south of I-84, including Long Island

Additionally, all Commercial Vehicles will be required to operate in right lane only on all New York State Thruway and New York State DOT roadways listed above.

MTA Bridges and Tunnels: 

MTA Bridges and Tunnels reports: Beginning,  All empty tractor-trailers and tandem-trailers will be prohibited from MTA Bridges and Tunnels (MTA B&T) due to expected high winds. Avoid unnecessary travel.

• Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
• Cross Bay Bridge
• Marine Parkway Bridge
• Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
• Throgs Neck Bridge
• Verrazano Narrows Bridge
• Henry Hudson Bridge

New York State Bridge Authority: NEW

The New York State Bridge Authority is implementing a restriction on Lightweight vehicles, empty box trucks and trailers restricted due to severe high winds at their facilities 

• Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge
• Newburgh Beacon Bridge
• Mid Hudson Bridge 
• Bear Mountain Bridge 
• Rip Van Winkle Bridge

Pennsylvania Restrictions:UPDATE 

In response to Winter Storm Hernando, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation requests your assistance in notifying the traveling public of the following restrictions in effect as of 02/23/2026 @ 0720 HRS.  All restrictions have been approved by PennDOT Area Command.

Please see the following attached documents:

• 2025-2026 PennDOT Winter Weather CMS Messaging Guidance and Infographic

To view the most up-to-date PennDOT 511PA Restrictions Map, select the link provided – https://www.511pa.com/

Pennsylvania Restrictions: (See below)

·         Highlighted information represents newly added/modified restriction information

·         Strikethroughs represent restrictions that have been lifted/terminated

• Tier 1 – No Empty CMV
• • I-78 – Beginning of I-78 to New Jersey State Line
  • I-81 – Entire Length
  • I-83 – Entire Length
  • I-283 – Entire Length

• Tier 4 – FULL Commercial Vehicle Restriction
• • I-76 - Entire Length
  • I-80 – I-81 to New Jersey State Line
  • I-84 - Entire Length
  • I-95 - Entire Length
  • I-295 - Entire Length
  • I-380 - Entire Length
  • I-476 - Entire Length
  • I-676 - Entire Length
  • US 22 – I-78 to New Jersey State line
  • PA 33 – Entire Length

• 45 MPH
• • I-76 – Entire Length
  • I-78 – Entire Length
  • I-80 – Exit 133 to New Jersey State Line
  • I-80 – Exit 199 to New Jersey State Line
  • I-81 – Maryland State Line to Exit 141
  • I-81 – Entire Length
  • I-83 – Entire Length
  • I-84 – Entire Length
  • I-95 – Entire Length
  • I-180 – Entire Length
  • I-283 – Entire Length
  • I-295 – Entire Length
  • I-380 – Entire Length
  • I-476 – Entire Length
  • I-676 – Entire Length
  • US-1 – Entire Length
  • US-15 – MD State Line to PA-581
  • US-22 – I-78 to New Jersey State Line
  • US-22/322 – I-99 to I-81
  • US-30 – Exit 306: PA-10 to US-202
  • US-30 – Exit 244: PA-24 to Exit 251: PA-462
  • US-202 – Matlack St. to Exit: Gulph St.
  • US-222 – US-30 to Exit 49: PA-272
  • US-422 – SR-222 to US-202
  • PA-33 – Entire Length
  • PA-63 – Entire Length
  • PA-283 – Entire Length
  • PA-309 – Entire Length
  • PA-581 – Entire Length

• 55 MPH
• • I-80 - Exit 97 to Exit 133
  • I-80 - Exit 97 to Exit 199

The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management under the Division of

the New Jersey State Police have issued a mandatory travel restriction beginning 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 22, 2026, and ending 7:00 a.m. on Monday, February 23, 2026, in response to a major winter storm expected to bring heavy snow, blizzard conditions, and strong winds across the state.

Governor Sherrill declared a State of Emergency on Saturday, February 21, 2026, effective Sunday, February 22, 2026 at 12:00 p.m., to protect public safety and ensure timely snow removal and emergency response.

Travel Restriction Details:

• All non-exempt vehicles are prohibited from operating on state, county, municipal, and

interstate roadways during this period.

• The New Jersey Turnpike is exempt from this restriction.

• Violators may face penalties under state law.

Exemptions:

The travel restriction does not apply to:

• Emergency and public safety vehicles and personnel

• Public works and snow removal crews

• Public transportation vehicles and personnel

• Government officials conducting official business

• Utility company vehicles and personnel

• Healthcare workers and urgent medical travel

• Personnel supporting emergency shelter operations and human services facilities

• Delivery of critical medical supplies and services to healthcare facilities

• News media

• Private snow removal contractors

• Patients seeking urgent critical care and their escorts

• Travel necessary to maintain critical infrastructure and essential services, including energy,

fuel, food, pharmacies, and hardware stores

• Personnel supporting airline and airport operations

This measure is intended to safeguard lives and allow emergency and utility crews to clear roads

and restore essential services as quickly as possible.

For official updates and preparedness information, visit www.ready.nj.gov.

NJDOT issues commercial vehicle travel restrictions on multiple Interstate highways beginning Sunday at 3 p.m.

Restrictions do not apply to New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, or Atlantic City Expressway

Based on the forecast for a severe winter storm, New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) has issued a commercial vehicle travel restriction on multiple Interstate highways in New Jersey starting at 3 p.m. Sunday, February 22, and will be in place until further notice for the following highways in both directions:

The commercial vehicle travel restriction applies to:

• All tractor trailers (exceptions as listed in the Administrative Order)
• Empty straight CDL-weighted trucks
• Passenger vehicles pulling trailers
• Recreational vehicles
• Motorcycles

This restriction DOES NOT apply to:

• The New Jersey Turnpike
• The Garden State Parkway
• The Atlantic City Expressway
• Public safety vehicles, sworn and civilian public safety personnel; as well as other personnel directly supporting healthcare facilities or critical infrastructure such as providing fuel or food. For a complete list of operations or personnel that are exempt from the travel ban, see the Administrative Order.

Trucks that are already in New Jersey when the travel restrictions go into place are encouraged to pull off in truck stops to wait out the storm – DO NOT PARK ON SHOULDERS.

Today, the American Transportation Research Institute released its 15th annual list highlighting the most congested bottlenecks for trucks in America, with the interchange of Interstate 294 and Interstates 290/88 in Chicago ranking as the most congested freight bottleneck in the country. 

As Congress prepares to reauthorize the nation’s surface transportation programs, this timely analysis can help local, state, and federal governments target funding where it is needed most. 

“Congestion delays inflicted on truckers are the equivalent of 436,000 drivers sitting idle for an entire year,” said ATRI President and COO Rebecca Brewster. “While these congestion metrics are getting worse, the good news is that states do not need to accept the status quo. Illinois has been home to the country’s top bottleneck before, but following a sustained effort to expand capacity, its previous #1 bottleneck at the Jane Byrne Interchange no longer ranks in the top 25. This data gives policymakers a road map to reduce chokepoints, lower emissions, and drive economic growth.”

The 2026 Top Truck Bottleneck List measures the level of truck-involved congestion at more than 325 locations on the national highway system. The analysis, based on an extensive database of freight truck GPS data, uses several customized software applications and analysis methods, along with terabytes of data from trucking operations to produce a congestion impact ranking for each location. ATRI’s truck GPS data is also used to support the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Freight Mobility Initiative. The bottleneck locations detailed in this latest ATRI list represent the top 100 congested locations, although ATRI continuously monitors more than 325 freight-critical locations.

For the first time ever, the intersection of I-294 and I-290/I-88 in Chicago is the top freight bottleneck in the country, surpassing the long-standing number one bottleneck in Fort Lee, New Jersey. The remaining Top 10 bottlenecks include: 

2.    Fort Lee, NJ: I-95 at SR 4

3.    Atlanta: I-285 at I-85 (North)

4.    Houston: I-45 at I-69/US 59

5.    Atlanta: I-75 at I-285 (North)

6.    Atlanta: I-20 at I-285 (West)

7.    Nashville: I-24/I-40 at I-440 (East)

8.    Houston: I-10 at I-69/US 59

9.    Cincinnati: I-71 at I-75

10.  McDonough, GA: I-75

ATRI’s analysis, which utilized data from 2025, found traffic conditions continue to deteriorate from recent years, in some instances due to work zones that result from increased infrastructure investment. Average rush hour truck speeds were 33.2 MPH, 2.8 percent slower than the previous year. Among the top 10 locations, average rush hour truck speeds were 29.6 MPH. 

“Following a comprehensive, data-driven analysis, ATRI has crowned a new stretch of highway in Chicago as America’s worst bottleneck. Those who are least likely surprised by this announcement are the truck drivers and commuters who are forced to endure endless delays when navigating this dreadful interchange,” said American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear.  “Traffic congestion not only chokes our supply chains, adding $109 billion annually to the cost of goods paid by consumers, it also impacts the quality of life for all motorists. Fortunately for frustrated commuters, there is hope. For many years, the George Washington Bridge held this infamous bottleneck title, yet targeted infrastructure investments have finally helped to boost speeds between New York and New Jersey. This success provides a roadmap for policymakers to invest in projects that will improve efficiency throughout our transportation system and benefit their constituents.”

For access to the full report, including detailed information on each of the 100 top congested locations, please visit ATRI’s website here. ATRI is also providing animations created with truck GPS data for select bottleneck locations, all available on its website.

Attention: If you have a USDOT Number and/or Operating Authority (MC, MX, FF Docket Number), please complete the actions below to prepare for the launch of Motus: USDOT Registration System.

In 2026, FMCSA will introduce Motus—the single, secure, and mobile-friendly online dashboard for registration actions—to all users. To facilitate the transition into the new system, motor carriers and other registered entities should ensure their FMCSA Portal account is active, the correct Company Official is listed, and business information is updated.

Take action now to prepare for the launch of Motus: USDOT Registration System.

1. Ensure FMCSA Portal account is active.

Log in to your Portal account to confirm it is active. If you don’t have an account, create one now. This critical action will allow you to quickly and easily claim your existing USDOT Number and create your company account in Motus when it launches to all users later this year.

2. Verify Portal account user list.

View and confirm users with access to your FMCSA Portal account in the “Account Management” tab. Ensure that the listed Company Official is the company owner or employee responsible for managing/updating FMCSA registration. This should not be a transportation service provider or outside consultant.

The Login.gov email for the Company Official in the FMCSA Portal must match the Login.gov email used to log into Motus to link your USDOT Number with your new Motus account.

3. Update company information.

For a smooth transition into Motus, easily submit an online Biennial Update (MCS-150) in the Portal “Registration” tab to ensure that the most up-to-date information is on file for your business.

Action for Transportation Service Providers

Service providers (consultants or third parties) must create a supporting company account in Motus as part of the early access period happening now. When Motus launches for all users, registrants will be required to claim their existing USDOT Number and create a company account before granting service providers access to information and tools.

Need help?

Explore our FMCSA Portal Registration User Guide for more user-specific information and guidance:

• Am I a Company Official or Associate of a Company?
• How do I create a Portal account?
• How do I manage users in the Portal?
• How can I submit a Biennial Update in the Portal?

Cargo theft is a growing concern for the U.S. transportation system, costing the economy billions annually. These crimes involve opportunistic “straight thefts” of trailers, containers, and loads at truck stops or multimodal distribution hubs and highly coordinated operations conducted by organized criminal networks. Both categories create significant economic losses, disrupt supply chains, and in some cases fund broader illicit activities such as narcotics trafficking, counterfeiting, and human smuggling. DOT seeks information from State, metropolitan, and local agencies; law enforcement; industry; stakeholders ( e.g., carriers, shippers, drivers, warehouse operators (including at airports), insurers); and the public to aid in the development of strategies and potential programs to reduce cargo theft, strengthen supply chain security, and create a safe operating environment for freight stakeholders and the traveling public.

Some questions in the notice include:

What industry best practices or technologies ( e.g., GPS tracking, electronic seals, AI-driven monitoring, secure parking, etc.) have proven most effective in reducing both opportunistic thefts and organized thefts?

How should DOT measure success in reducing cargo theft, and what performance metrics would be most valuable to track?

To what agency or jurisdiction does industry currently report cargo theft? What barriers prevent industry from reporting theft incidents to Federal agencies? How can DOT reduce these barriers?

Which commodities face the highest risks and do those risks vary contingent on whether the commodity is domestic, imported, or exported?

Comments must be received on or before October 20, 2025. DOT will consider comments filed after this date to the extent practicable.

CLICK HERE to read the notice.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy today announced the launch of the first phase of the National Consumer Complaint Database (NCCDB) modernization. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is launching this update to improve navigation and enhance functionality of this important tool for enhanced user capabilities for commercial drivers, motor carriers, and consumers. 

The NCCDB is the primary online portal for drivers and consumers to report violations of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, including issues related to safety, fraud, and household goods moves. This update will also streamline the agency’s response process and expand reporting categories to include, for the first time, complaints against property brokers.   

“This overdue tech upgrade is a win for drivers, carriers, and the driving public,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “The modernized database will make it easier to file complaints, access digital tools, and empower individuals to speak up about unsafe practices. With your support, we will continue to take bad actors of the roads to keep the American people safe.” 

The phase one launch is part of USDOT’s Pro-Trucker Package, announced by Secretary Duffy in June, which is focused on improving working conditions and improving critical tools for America’s truck drivers. 

FMCSA will continue to roll out more improvements in the coming months. Phase two of the modernization effort will introduce additional functionality, performance improvements, and a new name for the database – reflecting FMCSA’s commitment to making this a modern, user-friendly tool for the entire motor carrier industry. 

The updated database is now live at: https://nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov.