Summary of relevant news and issues in the transportation industry.
Proposal for an increase in UCR rates and oppositions
On January 9th, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) proposed a regulation to increase the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) rates by 25% for the year 2025.
The UCR, an annual permit, is mandatory for most carriers, regardless of whether they use their active USDOT number, according to the Department of Permits and Licenses of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA).
The proposal has raised concerns among numerous truckers, arguing that the increase is not sustainable given current economic challenges. The anticipated rate increases vary, ranging from $9 to $9,000, depending on the quantity of commercial motor vehicles owned by a carrier.
Critics of the proposal highlight potential increases in the costs of goods and services, already at elevated levels. The FMCSA has been criticized for not addressing citizens’ concerns, and warnings have been issued about the negative impact on consumers. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association has advocated for additional reductions, asserting that the 2023 rates violated existing laws.

FMCSA to release notice on speed limiter regulation
The FMCSA’s proposal to install speed limiters in most commercial vehicles is still in progress. It is expected that the FMCSA will publish a supplementary notice regarding the regulation proposal in May, as per the Significant Regulation Report of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
This proposal, which experienced delays in both June and December of 2023, would affect commercial motor vehicles with a gross weight of 26,001 pounds or more, equipped with a governable electric motor control unit.
In the next stage of the regulation, the FMCSA is expected to disclose the proposed maximum speed for the first time. Despite resistance from many truckers regarding the implementation of speed limiters, understanding this speed is crucial due to concerns about speed differentials between cars and trucks.
The FMCSA must submit the proposal to the White House Office of Management and Budget for review before its publication in the Federal Register and opening for public comments. The administration has faced opposition with over 15,000 comments, contributing to the delay as they require agency review.
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, advocating for small business truckers, opposes the imposition of a speed limitation mandate and urges support for the DRIVE Act, which would prevent the FMCSA from advancing speed limiter regulations.

Average diesel prices in the U.S.
Weekly reports on fuel prices have seen fluctuations, but the national averages remain below $4 per gallon. According to ProMiles.com, the national average was $3.834 per gallon, reflecting a decrease of 1.7 cents compared to the previous week.
The average price per gallon of diesel by region is as follows:
- East Coast – $3.859
- Central Atlantic – $4.28
- California – $5.122
- East Coast – $4.031
- West Coast – $4.553
- Gulf Coast – $3.578
- Midwest – $3.639
- Rocky Mountains – $3.599


Volvo Pushes Beyond Diesel with New Hydrogen Combustion Truck Trials
Volvo Trucks is once again taking the lead, beginning road tests with heavy trucks equipped with hydrogen combustion engines.

Trucker Fashion: A Revolution Born on the Road That Still Sets the Trend
Trucker fashion remains relevant due to its authenticity, its seamless integration into streetwear, and its reinterpretation by luxury brands, consolidating itself as a revolution born on the road that evolved from a work uniform into a global cultural symbol

North Dakota among states regaining non-domiciled CDL authority
North Dakota will reissue approximately 150 of the 526 CDLs and CLPs for non-resident drivers that were active during the FMCSA audit.

The Growing Threat of Chameleon Fleets
A CBS ‘60 Minutes’ investigation exposes the rise of ‘Chameleon Fleets’ in the U.S. trucking industry.

US transportation begins to show signs of recovery
With tonnage at record levels and rates on the rise, carriers are leading the expansion of the logistics market. If the forecasts hold true, years of uncertainty could be over.

Trump Administration Restarts California Pipeline to Lower Gasoline Prices
Under Trump, the restart of the Santa Ynez Pipeline aims to boost local crude supply and impact gasoline prices amid persistently high energy costs in California.
