News

Effective immediately we are pausing all issuance of worker visas for commercial truck drivers.

The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on U.S. roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers.

In the News

US Freezes Work Visas for Commercial Truck Drivers - TT

State Department halts employment visas for truck drivers - POLITICO

US halts worker visas for commercial truck drivers, Rubio says | Reuters

Trump administration pausing issuance of visas for foreign truck drivers, Rubio says

Law enforcement personnel in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. will conduct commercial motor vehicle inspections, educate drivers and motor carriers about the importance of brake safety, and provide brake inspection and violation data to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) for this year’s Brake Safety Week, scheduled for Aug. 24-30.

CVSA-certified inspectors will conduct routine commercial motor vehicle inspections throughout the week, focusing on brake systems and components. In addition, inspectors will focus on drums and rotors, the emphasis for this year’s brake-safety initiative. Brake drum and rotor issues may affect a vehicle’s brake efficiency. Broken pieces of drums and rotors may become dislodged from the vehicle enroute and damage other vehicles or result in injuries or fatalities to the motoring public.

Commercial motor vehicles found to have brake-related out-of-service violations, or any other out-of-service violations, will be removed from roadways until those violations are corrected.

During Brake Safety Week, inspectors will capture data about commercial motor vehicle inspections, brake systems and components, and brake-related violations and report that data to CVSA. Some jurisdictions will use performance-based brake testers (PBBT) to assess the braking performance of vehicles and submit PBBT-specific data to the Alliance. CVSA will collect and analyze all data and report the results publicly later this year.

In addition, brake-safety educational efforts by inspectors, motor carriers and others in the industry take place during Brake Safety Week and are integral to the success of the campaign. CVSA also offers resources to help drivers, motor carriers, owner-operators and mechanics prepare for Brake Safety Week.

Brake Safety Week aims to improve commercial motor vehicle brake safety throughout North America. The goal is to eliminate roadway crashes by conducting roadside inspections and educating drivers, mechanics, large- and small-fleet motor carriers, owner-operators, and others on the importance of proper brake inspection, maintenance and operation.

Governor Phil Murphy declared that New Jersey will enter a State of Emergency effective at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 21, 2025 in preparation for Hurricane Erin. Coastal and flash flooding, dangerous surf warnings and advisories, and high winds are expected for several counties across New Jersey. Parts of the state will experience sustained winds of up to 50 mph, large breaking waves along the Shore as high as 17 feet, and the inundation of one to three feet of water in flood-prone areas. Executive Order No. 396 declares a State of Emergency across all 21 counties in New Jersey.

“Over the past couple of days, we have seen the effects of Hurricane Erin along the Jersey Shore in the form of dangerous rip tides. Today and tomorrow will be no exception,” said Governor Murphy. “As the storm moves past New Jersey over the next 24 hours, we are expecting high surf and rip currents, coastal and flash flooding, and a high erosion risk in parts of the state. We ask all New Jerseyans to monitor local weather forecasts and warnings and stay informed on evacuation protocols, especially if you’re down the Shore.”

Governor Murphy encourages New Jerseyans to visit ready.nj.gov for important weather updates and safety information.

For those living along the shore, please be mindful of evacuation routes in case of an emergency. For preparedness, please visit the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management’s Evacuation Routes webpage at https://nj.gov/njoem/plan-prepare/evacuation-routes.shtml

For those living in Northern New Jersey and the New York Metro area, visit the U.S. National Weather Service New York, NY 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. 396, please click here.

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.