Maas Logistics Dispatch

Trucking News Roundup: Lujan v. FMCSA Non-Domiciled CDL Hearing, AAA Diesel $6.23, Fleet Financing Squeeze, Metro Rate Split (Sept 15, 2026)

September 15, 2026 · By Maas Logistics Dispatch · 8 min read

The D.C. Circuit hears the non-domiciled CDL fight this morning, AAA says diesel set another record, banks are squeezing mid-size fleets on truck financing, and five metro markets show why national spot averages lie — five stories from the dispatch desk in Melissa, Texas.

Lujan v. FMCSA: non-domiciled CDL oral arguments TODAY in D.C. Circuit

Land Line (Sept 14): On Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit hears Jorge Rivera Lujan’s challenge to FMCSA’s non-domiciled CDL final rule (effective March 2026). The rule is expected to remove about 200,000 CDL holders from the road — an Employment Authorization Document alone is no longer enough; asylum seekers, asylees, refugees, and DACA recipients are ineligible.

Friday, Sept. 11, the same court heard California DMV v. U.S. DOT over FMCSA withholding about $160 million from California for failing to cancel more than 17,000 non-domiciled CDLs. Petitioners argue FMCSA offered no evidence that excluded drivers are less safe; FMCSA replies the rule rests on states lacking access to foreign driving history, not a categorical safety claim about alien drivers. Three-judge panel: Patricia Millett, Cornelia Pillard, and J. Michelle Childs (Pillard also sat on the California panel).

What it means: Non-domiciled CDL enforcement is in active federal court this week. Fleets that hire documented, roadside-ready CDL-A stay safer when rules tighten. Apply company drivers / owner-operators.

Source: Land Line — Non-domiciled CDL fight shifts into high gear

AAA diesel hits record $6.23 nationally; Florida average $6.31

KFVS Heartland (Sept 14): AAA national diesel average $6.23 per gallon Monday. WCTV Florida (Sept 14): AAA Florida diesel $6.31 — up from about $3.54 a year ago; Florida Trucking Association says prices are up more than 70% year over year.

FTA President Scott Perry: an average ~500-mile day can burn 60–70 gallons — roughly $450–$500 per day in fuel; about $200 per day extra versus last year; on a 50-truck fleet that can exceed $3 million a year. Perry says fuel has now surpassed wages as the number-one cost for many trucking companies. Heartland coverage same day cited local Illinois pumps near $6.59.

What it means: Price the whole lane, not just linehaul. Maas runs dry van + reefer FTL from Melissa/DFW — asset-based, never re-brokered — get a freight quote.

Bank exits squeeze truck financing for mid-size fleets

FreightWaves (Sept 13): Three-plus years of freight recession pushed many banks out of truck lending while shredding borrower credit profiles. Mitsubishi HC Capital America’s Kirk Mann said financing now runs roughly 5.25% for investment-grade private fleets up to 12% or higher for lower-credit small operators, who are typically asked for a deposit.

About 85% of motor carriers with fewer than two years of operating authority failed over a three-year stretch of the downturn. Used Class 8 average retail settled at $60,986 as of September (ACT Research) after peaking near $118,000 in early 2022. Over-the-road volume through Mitsubishi HC Capital’s dealer channel improved roughly 30%, driven mostly by medium and large fleets replacing equipment — not expanding. Fleets buying new buy almost entirely new (~80% new vs late-model used). Mann: if a fleet cannot explain cost per mile across expense categories, lenders have little interest.

What it means: Cost-per-mile discipline and clean authority matter when capital is tight. Asset-based carriers with documented ops stay bankable. Shippers: lock reliable trucks — quote page. Drivers/OOs: apply company drivers / owner-operators.

Source: FreightWaves — Truck financing squeeze for mid-size fleets

SONAR: five metros show why national spot rates mislead

FreightWaves (Sept 14): Spot rates held elevated even as national tender volumes and rejections pulled back (SONAR Sept 11 update). National Truckload Rejection Index (STRI) sat at 13.22% — down 9% week over week and roughly 3.2% month over month. Tender Volume Index (STVI) fell 10% both week over week and month over month.

Cincinnati: spot rates +20%, rejections +15%, volumes +7%, haul index 25.96 — clean headhaul tighten. Detroit: spot +13% but rejections −14%, volume +2%, haul index −7.26 — rate strength not clearly capacity-driven. Joliet: spot −15%, rejections −12%, volume −14%. Miami: spot −24%, rejections −9.5%, volume −17.8%, haul −34.5. Houston: spot −15.4%, rejections −25%, volume −13%, haul −7.41 — soft across every metric. National averages alone can fool shippers pricing Texas and Midwest lanes.

What it means: Price by market, not national headline. DFW/Melissa shippers needing dry van or reefer FTL — quote page. Capacity-ready CDL-A — company drivers / owner-operators.

Source: FreightWaves — 5 freight markets: why spot rates are sending mixed signals

National Truck Driver Appreciation Week (Sept 13–19)

FreightWaves (Sept 14): ATA’s National Truck Driver Appreciation Week runs Sept. 13–19, 2026 (launched 1988). ATA cites about 3.6 million professional truck drivers in the U.S.; more than 80% of U.S. communities rely exclusively on trucks for freight.

Shell Rotella debuted a video from the Mid-America Trucking Show featuring nearly 100 unscripted driver interviews and pledged $25 per recording to the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund (more than $2,000 raised). Pilot’s Road Warrior contest awards a customized Kenworth W990 plus $50,000 cash — nominations open through Sept. 18. C.H. Robinson is distributing carrier appreciation bags and will recognize Carrier of the Year winners at a Sept. 17 ceremony in Minneapolis.

What it means: Good week to recognize the CDL-A drivers who keep freight moving. Maas is hiring company drivers and owner-operators — apply on the pages below.

Source: FreightWaves — Shell Rotella video for National Truck Driver Appreciation Week

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

The Logistics Partner that Delivers.