Trucking news and briefs for Friday, Jan. 2, 2026:
FMCSA grants CDL testing waiver for Martha’s Vineyard drivers
Prospective CDL holders who take their skills test on the Massachusetts island of Martha’s Vineyard are now able to obtain a restricted CDL and skip specific portions of the skills test due to the island’s infrastructure.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration granted an exemption to the Massachusetts Department of State Police that allows the state to waive specific portions of the CDL skills test for drivers who take the test on Martha’s Vineyard.
The state applied for the exemption earlier this year noting that the island does not have the infrastructure for applicant drivers to demonstrate the two sets of lane changes required by the CDL skills test. The DSP said travel to and from the island with commercial vehicles is often difficult and expensive, adding that the region does not have the infrastructure to support two sets of lane changes required by the CDL Examiner’s Manual and that there are no reasonable substitutions for lane change maneuvers on the island.
In granting the waiver from that requirement, FMCSA said the state “must issue those drivers restricted CDLs limiting the drivers to operating a CMV on Martha’s Vineyard,” adding that “allowing the Massachusetts Department of State Police to use an alternative route to administer portions of the safe on-road driving skills test and to issue restricted CDLs will address the infrastructure barriers while establishing safeguards to achieve an equivalent level of safety.”
Mack delivers Pioneer to mid-Atlantic fleet Givens Transportation
Mack Trucks in December delivered an all-new Mack Pioneer to Givens Transportation with a special handover ceremony hosted by TMI Truck & Equipment, part of Baltimore Potomac Truck Centers, in Chesapeake, Virginia.
The delivery marks an important step for Givens Transportation, a family-owned, third-generation logistics provider founded in 1957 and headquartered in Chesapeake. With close to 500 employees and a fleet of more than 180 trucks, Givens provides integrated warehousing, transportation and logistics services to customers in the electronics, automotive, manufacturing and power sports industries.
The company operates more than two million square feet of warehouse space across facilities in Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Nevada and Washington, serving the Port of Virginia and Port of Savannah with truckload and container drayage services.
Givens ordered three 76-inch mid-rise sleeper Pioneer models for its operations.
“We wanted to expand our sleeper options for our drivers, and we’re thrilled we gave the Pioneer a chance,” said Chad Gregg, vice president of Givens Transportation. “The Pioneer certainly delivers with the interior, and we love the new safety features that are a part of the truck. The driver airbag is a big deal, and the feature that we’re really excited about making the biggest difference is fuel economy.”
The Pioneer’s arrival at Givens Transportation comes as the carrier experiences growth in demand for its services across the Mid-Atlantic region. The new trucks will enable the company to expand capacity while maintaining its commitment to on-time delivery. Gregg emphasized the importance of driver-focused features in fleet decisions.
“Anything that helps the driver, helps the job,” he said. “Driver safety and on-road safety is one of our biggest priorities, and driver comfort is a large factor in both recruitment and retention of qualified drivers. The happier we can keep them, the longer we keep them driving for us.”
[Related: Mack begins production on new Pioneer]
RPM Freight Systems acquires auto-transport fleet
RPM Freight Systems, LLC, an international non-asset-based logistics and supply chain solutions company, has acquired Dealers Choice Auto Transport. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The move is designed to bridge the gap between large-scale logistics and specialized dealership service, ensuring that customers on both sides of the transaction experience faster, more transparent, and high-quality vehicle transport, RPM said.
For RPM’s customers, the partnership deepens the company’s reach into the dealer-to-dealer, auction, and personal sectors, providing the specialized, reliable “white glove” care required for high-line dealerships, exotics, classic cars, and personally owned vehicle moves.
For more than two decades, Dealers Choice has built a reputation for reliability and efficiency in moving specialized and luxury vehicles for dealership groups and auto auctions across North America. The integration of its specialized carrier network with RPM’s logistics expertise will now deliver greater operational efficiency and end-to-end visibility to these customers.
Dealers Choice Auto Transport will continue to operate under its established brand name. All day-to-day operations, service commitments, and contacts will remain the same. Customers of both companies will now benefit from seamless access to an expanded portfolio of services, including more nationwide capacity and enhanced technology, through a single, trusted partner.
“Joining RPM is a fantastic opportunity for our team and our customers after more than 20 years of service,” said Steven Yariv, President and CEO of Dealers Choice Auto Transport. “Our deep roots in the exotic luxury dealership community and our focus on reliable, on-time delivery align perfectly with RPM’s values. Together, we will be able to offer an even more powerful set of tools and a broader network, all while maintaining the personal care and reliability our customers have come to expect from us.”
