IN THE NEWS: FMCSA's CDL Crackdown is Fracturing Freight Networks

Commercial Carrier Journal
November 3, 2025
Pamella De Leon

FROM THE ARTICLE: The truckload market faces mounting volatility following the FMCSA’s ruling on non-domiciled CDLs and English language proficiency requirements, according to a recent report. Non-domiciled carriers are rapidly exiting the market while others are shifting to intrastate-only operations to avoid enforcement checkpoints.

The regional volatility has also driven up spot rates for van and reefer markets, though the sustainability of these gains remains uncertain amid soft demand.

DAT One’s data during the week of October 19-25 reported that load posts rose 2% to 2.26 million, while truck posts fell for the second consecutive week, down 5% to 232,703. National spot rates increased across van and reefer segments, with dry van linehaul rates climbing 2 cents to $1.72 per mile and reefer rates rising 2 cents to $2.10 per mile. All spot rates exceed year-ago levels, giving some relief to carriers as diesel prices fall heading into the holiday season.

The enforcement impact is most pronounced in high-scrutiny states

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“While no one is immune to the volatility caused by this ruling, the real impact is being felt largely by brokers and shippers that rely heavily on the transactional and opportunistic capacity typically found on load boards,” said Josh Allen, Chief Commercial Officer at ITS Logistics.

Allen advised shippers to prioritize relationships with intermediaries that maintain strong, vetted carrier networks and prioritize communication, collaboration, and real-time visibility.

“For now, low demand for the most part is masking the effects of regulatory pressures,” said Paul Brashier, Vice President of Global Supply Chain for ITS. “It should be noted that lines of business and shippers that rely on spot market capacity would see a greater impact.”

ITS Logistics believes that capacity constraints are expected to intensify due to a number of pressures: indefinite freezes on new non-domiciled CDLs, increase of carrier bankruptcies in Q3/Q4, an aging driver workforce approaching retirement age, and early alarms that the FMCSA ruling will influence insurance policies.

Read the full article.