Good Monday morning. FMCSA dropped an emergency rule on non-domiciled CDLs, forcing states to revoke and downgrade licenses tied to expired visas. What it means for fleets and brokers in today’s feature.
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🍳What's Cookin' In Freight
💰 Trump’s Truck Tariffs Rattle Global OEMs. President Trump’s 25% tariff on imported heavy trucks takes effect Oct. 1, triggering sharp swings across global automakers. Ford shares surged while Daimler and Traton, reliant on Mexican assembly, dropped. Volvo gained on its U.S. production footprint. The ATA warned tariffs could push Class 8 retail prices above $220,000, straining fleets already dealing with weak freight demand and credit pressure. Analysts noted some buyers are rushing orders ahead of the deadline, while others may extend truck lifespans, raising maintenance costs. Overall, a 25% tariff only adds fuel to fire of weak freight demand, tighter credit, and elevated operating costs.
📉 Trucking Insurance Faces Nuclear Verdicts and Rising Premiums. Carriers are facing mounting insurance costs as nuclear verdicts reshape underwriting. The Texas Supreme Court’s reversal of a $100 million Werner verdict was an outlier in a climate where settlements keep rising. Insurers are reducing coverage limits and raising deductibles, forcing fleets to assume more risk. Even safe operators face higher premiums as underwriters spread exposure industry-wide. AI and telematics are helping insurers assess fleets but remain no silver bullet. Some are saying survival hinges on strong hiring standards, safety training, and rapid claims reporting, with 2025 marking an inflection point where litigation risk, premiums, and technology collide.
🚨 Cargo Theft in Mexico Climbs as Criminal Tactics Evolve. A Q3 BSI Consulting report shows Mexico accounted for 75% of North America’s cargo thefts, with hijackings making up more than half of incidents. Criminals are refining tactics like using GPS jammers, staging wrecks, and posing as police. U.S. theft schemes are also rising, with fraudsters deploying fake carrier placards tied to cyber intrusions. Food, agriculture, and electronics remain top targets. Security experts warn that layered vetting, monitoring, and cross-border cooperation are essential as risks intensify. The findings come as FreightCaviar is set to release our Mexico documentary, highlighting both the opportunities of nearshoring and the vulnerabilities shaping U.S.–Mexico freight networks.
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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called it a “national emergency that requires action right now,” announcing an emergency interim final rule to tighten how states issue non-domiciled Commercial Learner Permits (CPLs)/CDLs.
He said the current process is “100% broken” and has become “a threat to public safety,” citing a series of fatal crashes involving non-domiciled CDL holders.
There was also a nationwide FMCSA review that found systemic failures in multiple states.
Eligibility narrowed: Only foreign drivers in lawful status with H-2A, H-2B, or E-2 visas are eligible, along with lawful residents of U.S. territories.
Paperwork required every time: Applicants must show both an unexpired foreign passport and Form I-94/94A at each issuance, renewal, or upgrade.
Verification required: States must use DHS’s SAVE system to confirm validity.
Expiration tied to visa: Licenses expire on the earlier of the I-94 date or one year, whichever comes first.
In-person renewals only.
Immediate downgrades if a driver loses eligibility.
FMCSA says states must retain documents for 2 years and will be held accountable for compliance.
Duffy said investigators spent two weeks on-site in California, sampling 145 June records out of 60,000+ non-domiciled CDLs and found “more than one in four” were issued in violation, potentially impacting ~15,000 drivers there if confirmed.
“Fix your system… or lose funding. This is just the beginning,” Duffy said.
California was a prime target of Duffy's address. State Governor Gavin Newsom'sOffice argued online that California CDL holders have a fatal crash rate 40% lower than average, and pointed to Texas' higher rate.
Duffy fired back that 25% of California's non-domiciled CDLs were issued illegally, doubling down on his funding threat.
Local reporting warns that "thousands" of immigrant drivers could lose eligibilityin California's Central Valley.
What It Means for Fleets & Brokers
The impact could be immediate:
Immediate compliance pressure: States will downgrade/revoke licenses fast; carriers must re-verify drivers.
Operational friction: SAVE checks, in-person renewals, shorter terms = admin headaches and last-minute swaps.
Capacity volatility: FMCSA counsel estimated ~200k non-domiciled CDLs nationally. If states pause issuance and purge ineligible records, regional capacity could tighten.
Legal/brand risk: Vetting matters. A shipment tendered to a carrier whose driver is later downgraded mid-route is a liability + service problem waiting to happen.
Duffy: “We have American drivers ready and able to take these loads… this won’t disrupt the movement of goods.”
FMCSA has made one thing clear: the days of loose oversight on non-domiciled CDLs are over. The question now is whether the industry is ready for the outcomes.
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🥤 Meth Seized. CBP officers at the Roma Port of Entry in Texas discovered $13.1 million in meth concealed within a shipment of carbonated soft drinks, 1,474 pound in total! The case has been turned over to Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation.
🔋 EV Realty Funding. EV Realty secured $75 million to expand electric truck charging hubs. CEO Patrick Sullivan said fleet electrification is “unmistakable,” citing better vehicle tech, falling battery costs, and cost-effective transition opportunities for carriers.
⚖️ I-20 Lawsuit Update. The lawsuit over the fatal I-20 drowsy driving crash alleges the carrier, Hope Trans, ignored safety rules. Former employees cited in the filing claim long hours and falsified logs were routine company practice.
đź“ś Florida Migrant Bill. A Florida senator filed a proposal requiring police to arrest any undocumented migrant found driving a semi-truck. The measure comes amid state debates on immigration and freight workforce policy.
đź’Ľ Slip & Fall Verdict. A jury awarded $32 million to truck driver Stephanie Johnson, who slipped on oil at an ExxonMobil facility in Illinois and developed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Jurors found ExxonMobil fully responsible; the company plans to appeal.
🎣 THE FREIGHT CAVIAR CORNER
It's here. Our Mexico documentary premieres today at 1pm ET / 12pm CT. We're bringing you an inside look at how nearshoring is reshaping freight from Monterrey to Guadalajara. Real experts, real stories. Watch the trailer now and keep an eye on our YouTube channel.
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I’m Adriana, a writer and editor at FreightCaviar. I’ve covered everything from freight tech to industry lawsuits and market shifts, helping scale us to almost 14K subscribers. My goal: to make logistics stories digestible, clear, and fun to read.
Hello! I'm Jerome FreightCaviar! I’m into the politics of freight and the impact it will have worldwide. I'm always eager to learn more. Follow me on X @JeromeFreightC
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