Industry News

Oversize and overweight vehicle movement in Louisiana, with the exception of permitted loads that qualify for 24-hour movement, will be prohibited on all State highways in selected areas from Saturday, […] The post OS/OW Restrictions for Mardi Gras 2026 appeared first on WCS Permits and Pilot Cars.

For most owner-operators and small carriers, the conversation about survival usually starts with rates. Fuel prices come next. Then brokers. Then regulations. But during a recent episode of The Long Haul, one reality kept surfacing over and over again: many carriers don’t fail because they can’t run freight — they fail because they never fully […] The post Why Credit Is Quietly Deciding Who Survives in Trucking appeared first on FreightWaves.

Jim Mullen will take over as TCA president on April 6. Also: NMFTA opens Cybersecurity Conference registration; TRP opened 10...

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy applauded officials with the FMCSA as well as DOTs from more than two dozen states for carrying out the SafeDRIVE campaign in January.

There’s a lot of discussion right now about non-domiciled CDLs. Headlines are flying, social media is dialed, and everybody’s got an opinion. But for the people actually holding the steering wheel — the drivers — much of what’s being said doesn’t line up with what’s really happening at the DMV, at the scale house, or […] The post As Non-Domiciled CDL Rules Face Litigation, Trucking Still Needs an Honest Conversation appeared first on FreightWaves.

The FMCSA concluded that a motor carrier recently given a high-risk designation was not a good candidate for an exemption.

WICHITA, Kan. — Driver Resource Center (DRC) is announcing Kenneth Laymon as the Q4 recipient of the Future of Trucking Scholarship. Laymon, 32, received a

Former FMCSA leader and trucking industry veteran Jim Mullen will take over the role April 6.

Jim Mullen is slated to head the Truckload Carriers Associaton. The post Former FMCSA chief Mullen will head Truckload Carriers appeared first on FreightWaves.

The DOT recently sidelined thousands of truckers deemed unqualified. FMCSA is also working to release an updated final rule on non-domiciled CDLs.

The Federation of Professional Truckers group has asked FMCSA for an exemption from the ELD requirement for its members and others...

A high-visibility enforcement effort conducted January 13–15 removed hundreds of unqualified drivers and unsafe commercial vehicles from major freight corridors nationwide.

Less than 1% of insurer-carrier relationships are tied to 6% of the crashes and fatalities in America. The scorecard shows exactly who. The fix isn't just regulation. It's insurers taking ownership of their books and investing in risk-control professionals who actually know trucking. The post How Carriers and Insurers Are Subsidizing Failure appeared first on FreightWaves.

FMCSA is investigating a ring of chameleon carriers after a deadly crash. Did they get caught on film teaching recent immigrants...

New medical certification rules have created issues for drivers in some states. One trade group is seeking an exemption from the new rules.

New FMCSA guidance clarifies that no driver cited for an ELP violation in a U.S-Mexico border commercial zone, regardless of where...

A fatal truck crash in Indiana has the attention of the DOT. The truck driver was said to have received a non-domiciled CDL in Pennsylvania.

The proposal aims to preserve records for federal audits.

What do “violent prisoners” and “tax burdens” have to do with hours-of-service regulations? A company made the pitch to FMCSA.

The newly-formed Federation of Professional Truckers is petitioning FMCSA for an exemption from the ELD requirement for members...

Super Bowl LX drove a spike in trucking freight volumes into San Jose. New data shows which equipment types benefited most.

Is a U.S-domiciled CDL holder placed out of service when found in violation of English-proficiency rules in a commercial border zone?

The declaration waives certain hours-of-service provisions for carriers providing direct relief in the affected states. Also...

Legislation reintroduced in both chambers of Congress would require side-underride guards on all new trailers. Also: FMCSA cites...

The White House itself responded to a deadly crash in Indiana's Amish country as DOT says FMCSA is on the ground going after the...

DOT quietly struck down Utah's ability to issue non-domiciled CDLs just weeks after the state extended the license of Jorge Rivera...

Beware of a new phishing scheme targeting motor carriers. Scammers are sending emails posing as FMCSA or DOT officials to steal data.

Get expert insights on tractor hauling laws in North Carolina. Our Buyer’s Guide explains the laws and regulations for heavy hauling services. The post Tractor Hauling Laws in North Carolina Explained by Experts appeared first on Freedom Heavy Haul.

Oversize load travel restrictions courtesy of WCS Permits & Pilot Cars. The post Presidents Day Restrictions appeared first on WCS Permits and Pilot Cars.

Selecting the correct trailer for a heavy haul job is a strategic decision that affects safety, permitting, cost, and overall project success. The trailer is not just a platform for the load, it determines how the cargo behaves on the road, how weight is distributed, and how easily the shipment can move through real-world infrastructure. … Continue reading "How to Choose the Right Trailer for Your Heavy Haul Needs" The post How to Choose the Right Trailer for Your Heavy Haul Needs appeared first on Freedom Heavy Haul.

Specialized heavy haul trailers exist for one reason: some loads simply won’t move safely (or legally) on a common setup. When cargo is extremely heavy, unusually tall, long, or awkwardly shaped, the trailer becomes part of the engineering, not just a piece of equipment. Trailer selection directly influences axle loading, permits, routing decisions, and escort … Continue reading "Utilizing Specialized Heavy Haul Trailers: When “Standard” Isn’t Enough" The post Utilizing Specialized Heavy Haul Trailers: When “Standard” Isn’t Enough appeared first on Freedom Heavy Haul.

Heavy haul transport is not just “a bigger truck doing a bigger job.” It’s a planned engineering move where the trailer, the axle setup, and the route constraints must fit together like parts of the same machine. When those parts match, the haul is stable, legal, and predictable. When they don’t, even a short trip … Continue reading "Heavy Haul Equipment & Trailers: Engineering Oversized Transport" The post Heavy Haul Equipment & Trailers: Engineering Oversized Transport appeared first on Freedom Heavy Haul.

Heavy haul transport is rarely just a truck pulling a trailer. Behind every successful oversized move is a collection of specialized equipment that controls loading, stabilizes the cargo, protects infrastructure, and keeps the project on schedule. This equipment often decides whether a move is smooth or turns into a delay, a permit revision, or a … Continue reading "Specialized Hauling Equipment Explained: Beyond the Truck and Trailer" The post Specialized Hauling Equipment Explained: Beyond the Truck and Trailer appeared first on Freedom Heavy Haul.

In heavy haul transport, trailers carry the cargo, but axles decide whether the cargo can legally and safely move. Axle configuration is not a paperwork detail; it is the physical engineering layer that governs how weight interacts with pavement, bridges, and vehicle dynamics. Axle layout must align with trailer design and route constraints to ensure … Continue reading "Axle Configurations and Load Optimization: The Hidden Engineering of Heavy Haul" The post Axle Configurations and Load Optimization: The Hidden Engineering of Heavy Haul appeared first on Freedom Heavy Haul.

Axle weight distribution is the practical math behind a safe heavy haul. It answers one question that matters more than the total load number: how much weight is each axle group actually carrying once the cargo is placed on the trailer. Accurate axle weight distribution is essential for permits, bridge compliance, braking performance, and road … Continue reading "Calculating Axle Weight Distribution for Heavy Loads (Simple Method + Real-World Checks)" The post Calculating Axle Weight Distribution for Heavy Loads (Simple Method + Real-World Checks) appeared first on Freedom Heavy Haul.

Low clearances are one of the few heavy haul risks that cannot be negotiated on the road. If an oversized load meets a bridge, overpass, or utility line that is too low, the project stops instantly. Unlike axle weight or routing adjustments, clearance mistakes have no easy fixes once the load is in motion. Trailer … Continue reading "Navigating Low Clearances With Oversized Loads: Planning Before the First Mile" The post Navigating Low Clearances With Oversized Loads: Planning Before the First Mile appeared first on Freedom Heavy Haul.

Moving an oversized or overweight load isn’t just “truck + trailer + permits.” A bridge is a structural system with defined load limits, and your route only works if every bridge can safely carry your specific axle layout and total load. This is why bridge checks are one of the quiet “make-or-break” steps in heavy … Continue reading "Bridge engineering considerations for heavy haul transport" The post Bridge engineering considerations for heavy haul transport appeared first on Freedom Heavy Haul.

Dimensional cargo isn’t just heavy. It is often long, tall, wide, awkwardly shaped, or all three, and that changes everything about how it must be transported. In heavy haul projects, the trailer is part of the engineering because trailer choice directly affects height limits, turning space, axle loading, securement methods, and route feasibility. This guide … Continue reading "Specialized trailers for dimensional cargo" The post Specialized trailers for dimensional cargo appeared first on Freedom Heavy Haul.

WCS Permits & Pilot Cars is excited to attend, sponsor, exhibit and speak during two meeting at the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Associations’ (SC&RA) Transportation Symposium in Birmingham, AL February […] The post WCS Geared Up For SCRA Transportation Symposium in Birmingham, AL appeared first on WCS Permits and Pilot Cars.

Due to Winter Storm Fern, the following permit office closures and restrictions are in place on Tuesday, Jan. 27th unless noted otherwise below. Last updated on 1/27/26 at 2:00 p.m. […] The post Winter Storm Fern: Closures & Oversize Restrictions 1/27 appeared first on WCS Permits and Pilot Cars.

Due to Winter Storm Fern, the following permit office closures and restrictions are in place on Monday, Jan. 26th unless noted otherwise below. Last updated on 1/26/26 at 12:40 p.m. […] The post Winter Storm Fern: Closures & Oversize Restrictions appeared first on WCS Permits and Pilot Cars.

Winter Storm Fern has brought ice, snow and freezing temps across the South, Plains, Midwest and Northeast resulting in several states issuing a state of emergency and HOS waivers to […] The post Winter Storm Fern: Emergencies Declared, HOS Waivers & Oversize Changes appeared first on WCS Permits and Pilot Cars.

1/22/2026

This guide explains how to transport an oversize load and how professional carriers such as Heavy Equipment Transport measure, prepare and transport an oversize load safely and legally. The post How to Transport an Oversize Load appeared first on Heavy Equipment Transport.

This guide explains how to load equipment on a trailer safely and why many logistics professionals rely on Heavy Equipment Transport for safe and compliant hauling. The post How To Load Equipment on a Trailer appeared first on Heavy Equipment Transport.

An important restriction has been placed on US 550 @ MM 64- 64, located in Cuba, NM. This new indefinite restriction will not allow any overweight loads (80,000 lbs.) to […] The post Overweight Restriction on US 550 in New Mexico appeared first on WCS Permits and Pilot Cars.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation will begin winter load increases on unrestricted highways in the SOUTH and SOUTHEAST frost zones at 12:01 AM on Monday, December 29, 2025. Winter load […] The post MN: Winter Load Increases Being in the South & Southwest Frost Zones appeared first on WCS Permits and Pilot Cars.

ALBERTA CHRISTMAS:No travel allowed if over 3.85m wide from 3:00 pm on 12/24 and all day 12/25 and 12/26.NEW YEARS:Dec 31 no travel after 3 pm and no travel on […] The post Canadian Christmas & New Year’s OS Travel Restrictions appeared first on WCS Permits and Pilot Cars.

Starting January 1, 2026, the Missouri Department of Transportation will launch a pilot program to make it easier for law enforcement to provide escorts for transporting superloads. This program aims to simplify the process for these heavy cargo moves. Earlier this year, Missouri DOT updated rules for transporting oversized loads. Changes include higher size limits, […] The post MO: Superload Escort Updates appeared first on Oversize Load Assistant - Permit Fee Calculator.

Starting January 1, 2026, the Missouri Department of Transportation will launch a pilot program to make it easier for law enforcement to provide escorts for transporting superloads. This program aims […] The post MO: Superload Escort Updates appeared first on WCS Permits and Pilot Cars.