Maas Logistics Dispatch

Trucking News Roundup: Diesel Clears $6, Tender Rejections Hold, Motus Biennial Pause, CDL Fraud Tip Line, NTDAW (Sept 11, 2026)

September 11, 2026 · By Maas Logistics Dispatch · 8 min read

Retail diesel cleared $6 a gallon, rejections held tight after Labor Day, FMCSA extended the Motus biennial pause, DHS opened a CDL fraud tip line, and Driver Appreciation Week starts Sept. 13 — five stories from the dispatch desk in Melissa, Texas.

Retail diesel clears $6/gallon nationally

AAA’s national average for diesel printed about $6.0556/gallon on Sept. 11 — the first time the retail average has cleared the $6 mark. California prices were near $8. That follows last week’s EIA on-highway weekly average of $5.967, which Logistics Management already called a record. Fuel surcharge formulas keyed off retail and EIA prints will push all-in cost even when linehaul barely moves. Peak diesel demand season is still ahead.

What it means: Price every load all-in. Don’t argue linehaul and ignore fuel. Maas runs asset trucks with Samsara ELD — ask for an all-in quote when diesel is this hot.

Tender rejections still ~13.5% after Labor Day

FreightWaves SONAR’s Outbound Tender Rejection Index held at 13.45% on Sept. 10 — still well above the same stretch in prior years. The Labor Day rejection spike was larger than any of the last three years. National van spot on the NTI sat at $3.43 including fuel. Tender volumes have been softer since mid-July as some long-haul freight shifted to intermodal, but lean inventories into Q4 raise expedited-truck risk when rail is less fungible. Reefer tenders stayed pressured; flatbed flattened into typical Q4 seasonality.

What it means: A volume fade with firm rejections means cover is still thin. Lock real asset capacity early out of DFW/Melissa — request a quote.

Source: FreightWaves — Tender rejections at 13.5%: tight market or fade

FMCSA keeps Motus biennial-update pause

Land Line reports FMCSA is extending temporary relief from biennial MCS-150-style updates while Motus (the new USDOT registration system launched in May) keeps causing headaches. Carriers whose update was due on or after June 1 get more time. USDOT numbers will not be inactivated for a missed biennial update for now. The pause stays until further notice; FMCSA says it will warn before restarting enforcement. Normal penalty for a missed update can run up to $10,000 and deactivation — so watch for the restart notice.

What it means: Use the breathing room, but don’t ignore Motus. Claim your DOT number and keep mileage/power-unit data current when the system lets you. Maas stays on registered Samsara ELD gear.

DHS opens 24/7 tip line for CDL fraud

Transport Topics: DHS/ICE launched a round-the-clock tip line on Sept. 9 for suspected commercial driver license fraud (866-347-2423). DOT joined a White House fraud task force; DHS listed surge ops (ICE Wall, Guardrail, Freightliner) aimed at undocumented foreign CDL holders and related networks. HSI is posting enforcement activity. This sits next to FMCSA’s earlier removals of training providers and CDL tester audits — the compliance bar for who sits behind the wheel keeps rising.

What it means: Clean paper and real training matter more than ever. Prefer carriers that hire on documented CDL-A credentials and run registered ELDs. Hiring at Maas: company drivers and owner-operators pages.

Source: Transport Topics — DHS CDL fraud tip line

National Truck Driver Appreciation Week starts Sept. 13

NTDAW runs Sept. 13–19 (ATA’s 38th year). Pilot’s Road Warrior contest (custom Kenworth + $50,000; nominations through Sept. 18) partners with Diesel Brothers and Kenworth. Love’s is running double/triple rewards points in September. Sheetz cut bulk DEF to $1.99/gal at select sites through Sept. 30. Samsara launched Driver Perks in the U.S. on Sept. 10 for drivers at Samsara fleets. Pennsylvania Turnpike plazas host events mid-week.

What it means: Take the freebies and shout-outs — then keep rolling with fleets that treat you square year-round. Maas: company 50+ CPM dry van / 60+ CPM reefer; OO 87–90% gross; non-forced dispatch. Apply on the company drivers or owner-operators pages.

Source: Transport Topics — Trucking celebrates NTDAW 2026

Running with Maas

Hiring CDL-A company drivers: company driver openings. Owner-operators: lease on with Maas. Need a truck: get a freight quote.

Maas Logistics LLC | 1817 Miller Rd #5, Melissa, TX 75454 | (916) 770-7323 | dispatch@maaslogistic.com

Dallas–Fort Worth | USDOT 3179194 | MC 124881

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