Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025:
Storm recovery fleet’s HOS exemption request denied
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has denied a petition from a 72-truck, Wisconsin-based fleet seeking an exemption from the maximum driving time limits in the hours-of-service regulations.
Earlier this year, Northern Clearing Inc. requested the waiver to allow the company “to provide continued restoration, clean up, and re-construction services in North Carolina, under the same conditions set out in the FMCSA Regional Emergency Declaration and Extension of Emergency Declarations Number 2024-008, which was in effect from October 4 through December 26, 2024.”
FMCSA’s regulatory relief for operations providing direct assistance in emergency response to Hurricane Helene did not cover long-term infrastructure rehabilitation once the immediate threat had passed. Northern Clearing requested that it be allowed to continue operating under the conditions outlined in the emergency declaration and align its HOS practices with the “utility service vehicle” exemption in 49 CFR 395.1(n).
In denying the request, FMCSA said the company “did not explain why it should be treated the same as the utility service vehicle drivers or how its operations would likely achieve an equivalent level of safety with the applicable HOS rules.”
The agency reiterated that, after the Dec. 26, 2024, expiration of the emergency relief, “motor carriers engaged in the long-term recovery of these communities are expected to comply with the HOS rules.”
Saia continues partnership with Wreaths Across America
Saia LTL Freight (CCJ Top 250, No. 18) is continuing its partnership with Wreaths Across America (WAA) for the 2025 holiday season.
Once again, Saia will support National Wreaths Across America Day on Saturday, Dec. 13, which is a nationwide effort dedicated to honoring and remembering the nation’s fallen military heroes with wreath-laying ceremonies at cemeteries across the country.
As part of the annual tradition, Saia will provide transportation services to help deliver wreaths to cemeteries nationwide. The company is also encouraging employees across its network to volunteer in wreath-laying ceremonies within their local communities. Many Saia team members, including veterans and those with family members who have served, participate each year to help keep the memories of these heroes alive.
“We are honored to once again stand with Wreaths Across America in recognizing the sacrifices made by our nation’s veterans,” said Fritz Holzgrefe, President and CEO of Saia. “This partnership is deeply meaningful to our company. Many of our employees have served or have close ties to the military, and we are proud to support an event that allows us to pay tribute in such a powerful way.”
Saia has selected two drivers to represent the company during WAA’s weeklong events leading up to National Wreaths Across America Day, including at the ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C. This year’s Saia WAA driver representatives are:
- Greg Barnell, city driver from Orlando, Florida, employed with Saia since December 2021
- Charles Korzenborn, line driver from St. Louis, Missouri, employed with Saia since January 2015
Both drivers will join volunteers, veterans, and families in honoring those who served by helping ensure wreaths are delivered and placed with respect and gratitude.
J.J. Keller offering ELDT resources amid FMCSA crackdown on trainers
With the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) increasing enforcement of the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements, J. J. Keller & Associates is offering a free ELDT Audit Checklist and its Safe & Smart ELDT Trainer Certification Program to help companies ensure compliance and prepare for audits.
More than 3,000 ELDT providers have already been removed from the FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry (TPR) for non-compliance, and another 4,500 are at risk as the FMCSA begins a review of all 16,000 providers for adherence to the ELDT rule, which went into effect in 2022.
“Our free new ELDT Audit Checklist will help companies that use a third-party ELDT provider or that conduct training in-house to verify compliance with federal requirements,” said Dustin Kufahl, vice president of consulting and training services at J. J. Keller. “The checklist covers everything from documentation to training materials, instructor qualifications, student and vehicle records, training assessments and record retention.”
For companies relying on a third-party ELDT provider, removal from the TPR could cause significant driver onboarding delays, J.J. Keller said. According to Kufahl, bringing training in-house with J. J. Keller’s Safe & Smart ELDT Trainer Certification Program provides turnkey resources to start delivering compliant, high-quality training without depending on an expensive outside provider that operates on their own schedule.
“Our Safe & Smart program meets all ELDT requirements while developing excellent trainers and drivers,” Kufahl added. “You’re able to deliver best-in-class training that’s engaging and puts driver safety first. In fact, our clients have seen a 20% greater driver retention rate, which dramatically improves training ROI.”
For companies already providing ELDT training in-house, J. J. Keller’s ELDT Trainer Certification Program ensures ELDT compliance while delivering an in-depth, hands-on curriculum that can be tailored for a company’s vehicles, cargo and company culture.
[Related: DOT removes 3,000 CDL training providers from registry]
