Department of Transportation (DOT) News

Good morning, everyone, and welcome to your weekly transportation briefing. This week brings major developments in truck safety that directly affect millions of American drivers and the trucking industry.

The headline making waves right now comes from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy's finalization of strict new rules targeting unqualified foreign drivers operating commercial trucks on American roads. According to the Department of Transportation, at least seventeen fatal crashes and thirty deaths in 2025 alone were caused by non-domiciled drivers. This new rule closes critical safety gaps that allowed states to issue commercial driver's licenses to foreign nationals without properly verifying their driving histories or legal status.

Here's what's changing. Starting immediately, only drivers holding specific visa categories like H-2A, H-2B, and E-2 status can qualify for these licenses. States must now verify every applicant's legal status through a federal system called SAVE. Employment authorization documents are no longer accepted as proof of eligibility. According to the Transportation Department, these changes have already removed over ninety thousand non-compliant licenses nationwide and will prevent unqualified drivers from getting behind the wheel of big rigs.

The scope of this problem was staggering. More than thirty states had been illegally issuing tens of thousands of licenses to ineligible drivers, which is why Secretary Duffy announced a nationwide audit of states issuing non-domiciled licenses back in June.

But there's more happening in the enforcement arena. Operation SafeDRIVE, a multistate initiative conducted in January, removed nearly two thousand unsafe drivers and vehicles from American roads. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration officials and state law enforcement conducted over eight thousand inspections and placed seven hundred four drivers out of service. The FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs stated that when drivers ignore safety rules and operate without proper qualifications, they put all our lives at risk.

For listeners in the industry, you should also know that new English language proficiency requirements take effect this year. Commercial drivers who fail to meet these standards will be placed out of service, addressing concerns about communication safety on our highways.

Looking ahead, the regulatory landscape is shifting toward data-driven oversight rather than broad mandates. The FMCSA has over forty trucking-related rules in development, with proposed rules on autonomous vehicle regulations expected by May. There are also updates coming for medical qualification standards, drug and alcohol clearinghouse improvements, and important clarifications for agricultural haulers navigating hours-of-service exemptions.

For American citizens, these changes mean safer highways and reduced crash fatalities. For trucking companies and owner-operators, compliance is now non-negotiable, with stricter verification processes and enforcement sweeps continuing throughout the year.

Stay informed by checking transportation dot gov for regular updates on enforcement actions and regulatory changes affecting your commute and business operations.

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Welcome back to your weekly DOT Dispatch, where we break down the biggest moves from the U.S. Department of Transportation and what they mean for you.

This week's top headline: U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy's Operation SafeDRIVE just sidelined nearly 2,000 unqualified truckers and sparked arrests nationwide. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration teamed up with state law enforcement for this high-visibility crackdown on dangerous driving and unqualified operators, as announced in DOT's February 6 press release. "We're removing unsafe drivers from American roads," Duffy emphasized, targeting risky behaviors head-on.

On the regulatory front, FMCSA extended its 40-state winter weather hours-of-service waiver through February 4 to keep goods moving safely amid storms. They're also streamlining electronic logging device rules—no more hauling user manuals—and eyeing data-driven safety ratings that reward clean records. Fleet managers, expect possible ELD upgrades and new truck tech like mandatory automatic emergency braking, per FMCSA's 2026 outlook from Keller Encompass.

Funding flows too: Congress's 2026 Consolidated Appropriations Act unlocked $102.9 billion in discretionary transportation dollars, including tweaks to NEVI electric vehicle funds, as noted in Transportation for America's analysis. Colorado DOT's mirroring this with their 10-Year Plan open for public comment and safety targets approved through 2026.

Impacts hit home—citizens get safer highways with fewer rogue truckers, cutting crash risks; businesses save millions from deregulatory wins like pipeline and hazmat rule cuts totaling $8.3 billion in savings, per American Action Forum; states gain flexibility on grants with new oversight reports; no big international ripples yet.

Experts say accurate data will be king for carriers under FMCSA's shifts. Watch for fentanyl in drug panels and reauthorization talks—the current bill expires September 30.

Citizens, comment on CDOT's plan at codot.gov or track FMCSA waivers. Stay tuned for Safe Roads updates from Duffy.

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Welcome to your weekly DOT Dispatch, where we break down the latest from the U.S. Department of Transportation and what it means for you.

This week's blockbuster: Secretary Sean P. Duffy just awarded Texas GulfLink the first U.S. deepwater port license, unleashing American energy by opening deepwater access for massive energy exports, as announced on the DOT newsroom February 3.

On the regulatory front, FMCSA is cracking down on non-domiciled CDLs after fatal crashes, with emergency rules ensuring only eligible drivers hit the road—motor carriers, monitor your hires closely. They're also shifting to a data-driven safety rating system using crash and inspection stats for real-time oversight. Expect paperwork cuts too: electronic signatures for drug testing, possible fentanyl adds to panels, and eased rules on railroad crossings—replacing mandatory stops with "due caution" for hazmat haulers. NHTSA's proposing CAFE standard rollbacks, dropping fleet-wide fuel economy to 34.5 mpg by 2031, ditching EV credits and credit trading to ease auto maker burdens.

Congress just passed the 2026 Consolidated Appropriations Act, pumping $102.9 billion into transportation discretionary spending—fueling roads, rails, and safety upgrades.

For everyday Americans, safer trucks mean fewer highway crashes; fleet managers gain compliance flexibility but must nail data accuracy. Businesses cheer deregulatory wins like automatic emergency braking mandates and ADS exemptions for testing driverless trucks—expanding from 347 imported vehicles since 2016. States like Colorado are aligning with federal priorities, approving safety targets and transit funding via their STAC committee. Globally, that GulfLink port boosts energy trade ties.

DOT's FY26 Evaluation Plan launches four new probes into program impacts, with deadlines for public comments on safety action plans rolling out soon—check transportation.gov to weigh in.

Watch for FMCSA's ADS truck rules and AV STEP clarifications this year. Dive deeper at transportation.gov/newsroom, and submit feedback on proposed rules.

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Welcome to your weekly DOT Dispatch, where we cut through the red tape to spotlight what's shaking up transportation. This week, the biggest bombshell: the Department of Transportation's new framework for senior drivers 65 and older, kicking off February 1, 2026, with mandatory cognitive screenings, shorter license renewals, post-accident road tests, and physician reporting rules. According to DOT announcements covered by SeniorDriving and Cue Business Solutions, this targets over 50 million licensed seniors nationwide, aiming to boost road safety amid rising crash stats.

Shifting to trucking, FMCSA's 2026 agenda, drawn from the Spring 2025 Unified Agenda, promises regulatory realignment under the Trump administration. Key moves include cracking down on non-domiciled CDLs—yanking 90,000-plus licenses after audits revealed fatal risks—and purging nearly 3,000 shady CDL schools from the registry. CNS Protects reports FMCSA's MOTUS system rolls out for secure carrier registrations, while proposals by May 2026 eye autonomous truck standards, drug clearinghouse upgrades, and harmonized cargo rules with Canada. Amazon's tightening enforcement on violation rates hits fleets fully by February, tying safety to revenue.

For everyday Americans, especially seniors, this means safer roads but potential mobility hurdles—AARP's already suing in three courts, sparking Senate hearings. Businesses face prep costs for tech upgrades and driver vetting, easing shortages via medical tweaks like epilepsy standards. States grapple with implementation, risking funding cuts like California's CDL pause, while cross-border haulers gain from Canada alignment.

Experts at Keller Encompass note data accuracy is king for fleet ratings. DOT's FY2026 plan pushes hazmat safety to 17 incidents or fewer.

Watch May 2026 for proposed rules on autonomous tech and training. Dive deeper at transportation.gov or FMCSA's agenda. Seniors and carriers, voice concerns via public comments on regulations.gov.

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Welcome to your weekly DOT Dispatch, where we break down the biggest moves from the U.S. Department of Transportation and what they mean for you.

This week's top headline: Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford just unveiled a bold new agency structure to boost safety, spark innovation, and ramp up transparency across aviation. Duffy called it a game-changer, saying it cuts red tape while keeping skies safer for everyone.

Diving into key developments, DOT's flooding the zone with AI to draft "good enough" regulations faster, targeting trucking and beyond. In trucking wins from the first Trump year, they issued out-of-service orders to over 11,500 drivers lacking English proficiency, yanked 7,500 shady CDL schools from the registry, and got 49 states on board with compliance. Spending shifted too: billions pulled from California high-speed rail and offshore wind, clearing half a 3,200-grant backlog and obligating $9 billion for safety and infrastructure.

Regulatory heat continues with FMCSA eyeing May 2026 rules for autonomous truck inspections, drug clearinghouse upgrades, and looser seizure standards for drivers. They're also nixing outdated mandates like cab-carried ELD manuals and CDL self-reports.

For everyday Americans, this means safer roads—fewer unqualified drivers behind the wheel—and tech like auto emergency braking on heavy trucks rolling out soon, potentially saving lives amid the goal to drop roadway fatalities below 36,458 by 2026. Businesses, especially fleets, gain paperwork relief but must adapt to data-driven oversight; Amazon's tightening carrier scores hits revenue by February. States like Georgia are prepping winter ops with brine and 511 help, while federal budget watches could unlock more local projects.

Experts note this regulatory realignment eases burdens but demands quick compliance training. Citizens, weigh in on FMCSA proposals via regulations.gov before May deadlines.

Watch for FY26 evaluation plans and trucking proficiency exams. For more, hit transportation.gov. If input's open, submit comments now.

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