News

Washington, D.C. – The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) today released new research on causes and solutions for the current gaps in diesel technician training, recruitment, and retention. Qualified techs are indispensable to a safe and efficient trucking industry, yet 65.5 percent of shops were understaffed in 2025 with an average of 19.3 percent of positions unfilled. The research synthesized findings from techs, shops, and training programs.

Most techs (61.8%) enter the career without any formal training, requiring an average of 357 training hours and $8,211 in trainee wages to prepare them. Even with formal training, more than 30 percent of training program graduates were unqualified in 20 core skill areas, according to diesel shops. In 7 of these core skill areas, each additional hour of training improved tech qualification by more than 16 percent, and as such additional training hours in these areas can improve outcomes. In 6 core skill areas, however, each additional hour of training improved tech qualification by less than 8 percent, highlighting the need for critical curricula upgrades.

The most common barrier reported by techs at the start of their career was the high cost of acquiring their own tools (29.0%), followed by a lack of prior tech knowledge (28.0%), insufficient pay (16.1%), and poor shop mentorship (10.8%). Though pay and schedules were the two aspects of employment that most attracted techs to the trucking industry, techs also ranked the pursuit of more interesting work (ranked 3rd) and greater variety of work (ranked 5th) as vitally important.

Forty-four percent of trucking techs were considering other tech jobs, with automotive and agriculture the most common alternative industries. Dissatisfaction with pay, interactions with management, and variety of work were the aspects of employment that had the most statistically significant association with techs choosing to look for a new job versus staying at their current job. The research also evaluated techs’ perspectives on other industries to identify how trucking’s comparative strengths and weaknesses match up to techs’ varying priorities.

“With a lack of qualified techs and stiff competition from other industries, tech employment in the trucking industry is not keeping up with demand, especially when it comes to retaining entry-level technicians just entering the workforce,” said Robert Braswell, Executive Director of ATA’s Technology & Maintenance Council. “ATRI’s report helps trucking shops identify not only where they and their training program partners can improve but also how to better leverage our industry's existing strengths.”

The full report is available on ATRI’s website here.  

NJ ZIP & NJ ZEV programs will expand number of zero emission vehicles on NJ roadways

TRENTON, N.J. (July 31, 2025) – Vendor applications are now open for the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s (NJEDA) two programs that are aimed at putting more zero emissions vehicles on roads across the state. Together, Phase III of the New Jersey Zero Emission Incentive Program (NJ ZIP) and the New Jersey Zero Emission Vehicle Financing Program (NJ ZEV), aim to accelerate the adoption and use of commercial zero emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles within the state, while reducing harmful emissions.

WHAT:              NJ ZIP Phase III will provide vouchers to businesses and institutional organizations to offset the cost of purchasing new, zero emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. The size of vouchers awarded through Phase III, which is funded at $75 million, will vary depending on the class of vehicle being purchased, from a minimum of $15,000 for Class 2b vehicles to $175,000 for Class 8 vehicles. Bonuses will be available for school busses, small businesses; women-, minority-, and veteran-owned businesses. Additionally, 50 percent of funds will be set aside for applications from small businesses in Overburdened Communities (OBCs).

NJ ZEV, which is funded at $25 million, is a loan program to support businesses adopting medium- and heavy-duty zero emission vehicles. The program complements NJ ZIP by offering financing for vehicle costs that may not be met by NJ ZIP vouchers or other available grant funding resources. Loans will also be available through the program for business not utilizing the NJ ZIP program. NJ ZEV will offer low-interest rate loans ranging from $50,000 to $500,000 for the purchase of one or more eligible vehicles.

WHO:             Licensed vehicle dealers offering new zero emission medium- or heavy-duty vehicles. Detailed guidelines and eligibility criteria are available here.

WHEN:          Vendor applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. However, vendors interested in being listed on the programs’ website prior to purchaser application launch should submit applications by Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.

For more information about Phase III of NJ ZIP, click here.

For more information about NJ ZEV, click here.

To learn more about NJEDA resources for businesses, call NJEDA Customer Care at 844-965-1125 or visit https://www.njeda.gov and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) removed two devices from the agency’s list of registered electronic logging devices, or ELDs. WALKER ELD and SR ELD were placed on the Revoked Devices list due to the companies’ failure to meet the minimum requirements established in Title 49 CFR Appendix A to Subpart B of Part 395. The removals are effective July 31, 2025, for the following devices: 
 

• WALKER ELD 
  Model Number: WAL-R 
  ELD Identifier: WLK790 
  ELD Provider: Walker ELD System INC 
   

• SR ELD 
  Model Number: SR-E 
  ELD Identifier: SRE288 
  ELD Provider: SR ELD LLC 
   

Motor carriers have up to 60 days to replace the revoked ELDs with compliant ELDs.  FMCSA will send an industry-wide email to inform motor carriers that anyone using these revoked ELDs must take the following steps: 
 

1. Discontinue using the revoked ELDs and revert to paper logs or logging software to record required hours of service data. 

1. Replace the revoked ELDs with compliant ELDs from the Registered Devices list before September 29, 2025. 
    

Prior to September 29, 2025, safety officials are encouraged not to cite drivers using this revoked ELD for 395.8(a)(1) – “No record of duty status” or 395.22(a) – “Failing to use a registered ELD.” Instead, safety officials should request the driver’s paper logs, logging software, or use the ELD display as a back-up method to review the hours of service data. 
 

Beginning September 29, 2025, motor carriers who continue to use the revoked devices listed above will be considered as operating without an ELD. Safety officials who encounter a driver using a revoked device on or after September 29, 2025 should cite 395.8(a)(1), and place the driver out-of-service (OOS) in accordance with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance OOS Criteria. 
 

If the ELD provider corrects all identified deficiencies for its device, FMCSA will place the ELD back on the list of registered devices and inform the industry of the update. 

However, FMCSA strongly encourages motor carriers to take the actions listed above now to avoid compliance issues in the event that the deficiencies are not addressed by the ELD provider.  
 

For more information on ELDs, visit FMCSA’s ELD website. 

TRENTON – Acting Governor Tahesha Way declared that New Jersey will enter a State of Emergency effective at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 31, 2025, due to the potential for flash flooding, severe thunderstorms, intense rainfall, and damaging wind gusts. Rainfall totals of 1-3 inches are generally expected, with localized amounts of 5-7 inches possible. These extreme weather conditions can result in landslides, rock slides, and flooded roadways. Executive Order No. 394 declares a State of Emergency across all 21 counties, closing state offices early and allowing for resources to be deployed throughout the state during the duration of the storm.

“Beginning this afternoon, we are expecting severe thunderstorms to bring heavy rainfall and damaging wind gusts with the potential for flash flooding across the state,” said Acting Governor Way. “I urge all New Jerseyans to remain alert, follow all safety protocols, and monitor the proper channels for the duration of these storms. Residents should remain off the roads and indoors unless absolutely necessary.”

The Acting Governor encourages New Jerseyans to visit ready.nj.gov for important weather updates and safety information. Residents should also monitor local forecasts, warnings, and watches.

For those living in Northern New Jersey and the New York Metro area, visit the U.S. National Weather Service New York, N.Y. at https://www.weather.gov/okx/

For those living in Central and Southern New Jersey, visit the U.S. National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mount Holly at https://www.weather.gov/phi/

For a copy of Executive Order No. 394, please click here.

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

From the Desk of Jeffrey Hermann

Secretary/Treasurer, New Jersey Motor Truck Association

I would like to extend hearty congratulations to the New Jersey Motor Truck Association (NJMTA)'s newest president, Michael Ravallo, for his exceptional leadership and recent success in securing a luncheon with New Jersey gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli. This remarkable achievement demonstrates Michael's commitment to advancing our industry's interests at the highest levels of state government.

In addition to hosting Mr. Ciattarelli for this important luncheon, Michael has also confirmed that the gubernatorial nominee is to make an appearance at our NJMTA Annual Golf Outing & Networking Event on September 29. These high-profile engagements reflect the growing influence and visibility that the NJMTA is achieving under Michael's dynamic leadership.

Since assuming the presidency, Michael has demonstrated an unwavering vision and decisive action that positions the NJMTA for unprecedented growth and success. He has embarked on an ambitious mission to double our membership, increase funding, and significantly improve industry networking, participation, education, and government engagement. His strategic approach and rapid execution of key initiatives have already begun to yield impressive results.

To my fellow Board of Officers and Directors, I want to extend my congratulations to you for your continued dedication to enhancing the Association's presence and visibility throughout New Jersey. Your collaborative efforts with Michael's leadership create a powerful foundation for our organization's continued advancement.

The NJMTA's mission is to foster and promote sound, economical, and efficient service by motor carrier transportation; to promote safety and courtesy in highway transportation; to foster and support beneficial laws and regulations affecting the motor carrier industry; and to engage in activities that advance the interests of highway transportation and highway users generally.

Michael Ravallo exemplifies the core values and mission of our Association. In his brief tenure as president, he has demonstrated an exceptional understanding of our industry's needs and the political acumen necessary to advance our interests effectively. I am confident that under his continued leadership, the NJMTA will reach new heights of influence and success, benefiting all members of New Jersey's motor carrier community.

Contact Information:

Jeffrey Hermann

Secretary/Treasurer

New Jersey Motor Truck Association

jmhermann@hermanntds.com | 732.322.2371

About the New Jersey Motor Truck Association:

The NJMTA represents the interests of motor carriers throughout New Jersey, advocating for sound transportation policies, safety standards, and industry advancement.

For more information about the New Jersey Motor truck Association (NJMTA), please visit our website at https://www.njtrucks.org/

Verisk CargoNet, an industry leader in cargo theft prevention and recovery, recorded 884 supply chain theft events across the United States and Canada in the second quarter of 2025, representing a 13% increase compared to the same period in 2024 and a 10% increase from the first quarter of 2025. The estimated total loss value exceeded $128 million when applying average loss values to incidents where specific values were not reported.

The data reveals an acceleration in theft activity throughout the quarter, with incidents increasing 14.6% in April, 4.4% in May, and a substantial 21.9% surge in June.

Commodity Targeting Shows Strategic Criminal Focus

Metals theft experienced the most dramatic increase, nearly doubling with a 96% year-over-year surge to 53 incidents. This unprecedented growth coincides with copper trading near or above record highs, suggesting that organized crime groups strategically adjust their targeting based on commodity market values.

Food and beverage products also saw substantial growth, with 180 reported incidents representing a 68% increase from Q2 2024. This category now accounts for over 20% of all cargo thefts, with alcoholic beverages, energy drinks, and meat products being primary targets.

"The strategic targeting of specific commodities reveals the business-like approach of modern cargo theft operations," said Keith Lewis, Vice President of Operations for CargoNet, "These aren't opportunistic crimes – they're calculated operations targeting goods with the highest illicit-market value and easiest resale potential."

The average stolen shipment value of $203,586 represents a significant economic impact on the supply chain, with ripple effects including increased insurance costs, delivery delays, replacement orders, and ultimately higher consumer prices.

Sophisticated Fraud Schemes on the Rise

Looking ahead to the remainder of 2025, CargoNet analysts warn that complex cargo theft schemes involving document fraud and identity theft are becoming increasingly prevalent. These sophisticated operations, often perpetrated by international organized crime groups, are evolving rapidly to circumvent industry anti-fraud efforts.

"Traditional physical security measures alone are no longer sufficient," noted Lewis. "The industry must adopt a multi-layered approach combining physical security, digital verification, and real-time intelligence sharing to combat these evolving threats.

The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) today released new research detailing a notable demographic shift in the U.S. truck driver workforce. The research examines how broader societal and labor force trends are reshaping the industry and presents strategies for motor carriers to engage younger, more diverse, and historically underrepresented populations.  The research is organized into two key phases: 

1. chronological changes in truck driver demographics; and

2. pathways into trucking careers for former foster youth and justice-involved individuals.

The report offers a comprehensive analysis of the industry’s most pressing workforce challenges, including an aging driver population, low female representation — women currently comprise just 4.1 percent of truck drivers — and shifting employment models. With the average truck driver now 47 years old and retirements accelerating, the research emphasizes the need to modernize recruitment messaging to better resonate with younger generations.  Overall, the research provides a roadmap to help carriers enhance recruitment, improve retention, and build a more resilient driver workforce.

The report also highlights opportunities to expand access to trucking careers for individuals from historically underrepresented backgrounds, particularly former foster care youth and justice-involved individuals.  These groups may face unique challenges, but with the right support, trucking can offer a stable and rewarding career path.  The research encourages carriers to adopt targeted outreach, training pipelines, and reentry support, while implementing hiring practices that assess each candidate’s circumstances and readiness on a case-by-case basis.

“As the trucking industry grapples with an aging workforce and continued demand for drivers, this research underscores the need to embrace evolving demographics,” said Amanda Schuier, Jetco Delivery Strategic Maintenance Director.  “By broadening recruitment efforts, fleets can tap into new talent pools to not only strengthen driver recruitment and retention, but also address critical workforce challenges by creating sustainable pathways into trucking careers.”

A full copy of the report is available through ATRI's website here.

King of Prussia, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that more than 80 municipal police departments from Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties will join the Pennsylvania State Police in a coordinated aggressive driving enforcement wave. This collective effort, part of a statewide mobilization running through August 17, is aimed at reducing the number of crashes, injuries, and fatalities on our area roadways, ensuring your safety on the road.  

The enforcement wave will target heavy truck violations, pedestrian safety, red light running, speeding, and tailgating. Motorists demonstrating unsafe behaviors, such as driving too fast for conditions or other aggressive actions, will also be cited.

Law enforcement will utilize strategies such as traffic enforcement zones, saturation patrols, speed enforcement details, corridor enforcement, work zone enforcement, and multi-jurisdictional patrols to identify and cite aggressive drivers.

The enforcement is part of Pennsylvania's Highway Safety Program and is funded by part of PennDOT's investment of federal funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

If you encounter an aggressive driver, PennDOT offers these tips:

• Get out of their way and don't challenge them.
• Stay relaxed, avoid eye contact, and ignore rude gestures.
• Don't block the passing lane if you drive slower than most traffic.
• Do not attempt to follow or pursue the vehicle. You or a passenger may call the police. But if you use a cell phone, pull over to a safe location. 

According to 2024 PennDOT crash data, there were 1,608 aggressive driving crashes, resulting in 43 fatalities and 99 suspected serious injuries in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. Aggressive driving crashes involve at least two aggressive driving factors in the same crash. Factors include, but are not limited to, running stop signs or red lights, tailgating, careless turning or passing, and driving too fast for conditions.

The goal of targeted enforcement is to reduce the number of aggressive driving-related crashes, injuries, and deaths on roadways throughout the state. Any aggressive driver stopped by police will receive a ticket.

To learn more about PennDOT's highway safety efforts, visit www.penndot.pa.gov/safety.  

PennDOT’s media resources web page offers social media-sized graphics for numerous transportation-related campaigns, including safety topics such as aggressive driving, speeding, distracted driving, and seat belts for organizations, community groups, or others who share safety information with their stakeholders.

Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.

Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties at www.penndot.pa.gov/District6.

Find PennDOT news on X, Facebook, and Instagram.

Audit aims to protect roadways, uphold integrity of trucking

WASHINGTON– U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is launching a nationwide audit into state practices in issuing non-domiciled Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs), specifically reviewing the potential for unqualified individuals obtaining licenses and posing a hazard on our roads. This action responds directly to a key directive from President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order on Enforcing Commonsense Rules of the Road for America’s Truck Drivers and is part of Secretary Duffy’s commitment to safety.

“The open borders policies of the last administration allowed millions to flood our country – leading to serious allegations that the trucking licensing system is being exploited. Today, we are launching a nationwide audit to get to the bottom of this,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “Our audit is about protecting the safety of families on the road and upholding the integrity of CDLs held by America’s truckers. Every state must follow federal regulations, and ensure only qualified, properly documented drivers are getting behind the wheel of a truck.”

USDOT has directed the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to conduct a nationwide compliance review of states issuing non-domiciled CDLs. The review will examine state procedures for issuing non-domiciled CDLs to identify and stop any patterns of abuse and ensure federal standards are being met across the country.

The U.S. Department of Transportation remains committed to supporting America's truckers, who work every day to keep our nation’s economy moving.

Additional Information:

This week, Secretary Duffy unveiled a pro-trucker package that includes millions to expand truck parking, removing one-size-fits-all mandates, modernizing driver resources, and slashing red tape.

In May, Secretary Duffy signed an order announcing new guidelines to strengthen English language enforcement for commercial truck operators. Under the new guidance, commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers who fail to comply with FMCSA longstanding English-language proficiency (ELP) requirements will be placed out-of-service.

In March, President Trump signed an executive order designating English as the official language of the United States

Package includes millions to expand truck parking, removing one-size-fits-all mandates, modernizing driver resources, and slashing red tape 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy today unveiled a package of new initiatives, pilot programs, and regulatory updates designed to improve the lives of America’s truck drivers. The Secretary’s actions deliver on President Donald Trump’s promise through his Executive Order on Enforcing Commonsense Rules of the Road for America’s Truck Drivers.   

The package includes millions to expand truck parking as well as initiatives to remove one-size-fits-all mandates, modernize driver resources, slash red tape, and crack down on bad actors. A more detailed breakdown on the package can be found here. 

“Truckers keep America running. While the country sleeps, truckers grind through the night to help keep shelves stocked, families fed, and businesses humming. It’s a job that requires grit and dedication. But for too long Washington, DC has made work harder for truckers. That ends today. Thanks to President Trump, we’re getting Washington out of your trucks and your business,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy.

Specific to truck parking, USDOT is set to deliver more than $275 million in grant funding to expand parking access for truck drivers nationwide – an investment which will enhance safety and improve quality of life for truckers. This includes $180 million for Florida to add 917 new truck parking spaces along the I-4 corridor in Volusia, Seminole, and Osceola Counties. 

“The trucking industry is a critical link in our supply chain and ample truck parking infrastructure is vital to the safety, security, and quality of life for Florida residents,” said Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E. “Florida is one of the first states to create a robust pipeline of truck parking projects to address both immediate and future needs, and this grant from USDOT will help deliver nearly 1,000 additional truck parking spaces to serve Central Florida communities.”

Trucking groups have applauded Secretary Duffy’s package and President Trump’s leadership as a major step in the right direction:  

“We thank the Trump Administration and Secretary Duffy for their continued focus on the issues impacting America's trucking industry. As the leading mover of the nation's freight, the concerns of our industry not only impact the 8.5 million Americans who work throughout trucking, but they also affect the countless businesses and families we serve across the country. A safe and strong trucking industry is critical to America's economic growth and security, and data-driven measures like these that reduce regulatory burdens are important steps toward that end. We look forward to continued partnership with the Administration to advance policies that strengthen America's supply chain and bolster our essential workforce,” said President and CEO of American Trucking Associations Chris Spear. 

“OOIDA and the 150,000 truckers we proudly represent welcome these transformational actions from President Trump and Secretary Duffy. These steps not only improve the daily lives of truckers across America, but also enhance safety for everyone on the road. For years, truckers have urged Washington to address the severe shortage of truck parking, eliminate the dangers posed by a national speed limiter mandate, and give drivers greater control over their hours-of-service. We thank President Trump and Secretary Duffy for listening to the men and women behind the wheel who keep America’s economy moving,” said President and CEO of Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association Todd Spencer. 

Key actions within the package include:

1. Expand Truck Parking
   • Problem: 40% of truckers spend over an hour a day searching for parking – costing our national economy billions in wasted time. It’s also a safety issue – forcing truckers to park in harms way. 
   • Solution: USDOT is advancing more than $275 million in funding to expand truck parking availability and opening up additional grant programs and discretionary grants for truck parking projects.   
2. Remove One-Size-Fits-All-Mandates
   • Problem: Mandating speed limiters on heavy-duty trucks isn't just an inconvenience – it is a safety hazard when drivers are forced to go slower than the flow of traffic. 
   • Solution: USDOT is withdrawing the proposed rulemaking to mandate speed limiters so professional drivers can operate their vehicles safely.  
3. Modernize Driver Resources
   • Problem: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) online tools are outdated and a pain to use.   
   • Solution: FMCSA is launching new digital assets that are more user-friendly, modernizing the Consumer Complaint database, and updating the DataQ system so it is more transparent.  
4. Slash Red Tape & Crack Down on Bad Actors
   • Problem: Burdensome regulations make it harder for truckers to do their job while failing to go after bad actors.
   • Solution: FMCSA is proposing to eliminate 1,800 words from federal regulations, which will save truckers time and money. Concurrently, the agency has renewed its focus on unlawful double brokering—a practice that directly harms drivers. 

These actions are one of many initiatives Secretary Duffy has launched to support America’s truckers and improve safety on our nation's roadways.

In May, Secretary Duffy signed an order announcing new guidance to enforce English proficiency requirement for truckers.