Maas Logistics Dispatch

Trucking News Roundup: FMCSA Fuel HOS Waiver, Diesel ~$6.31, J.B. Hunt Q3 Warning, DAT Weekly Van $2.20, ICE CDL Fraud Tipline (Sept 17, 2026)

September 17, 2026 · By Maas Logistics Dispatch · 8 min read

FMCSA opened a 90-day hours waiver for fuel haulers, diesel pushed toward $6.31 with worse forecast, J.B. Hunt warned on Q3, DAT’s weekly van rate held near record ground, and ICE stood up a CDL fraud tipline while FMCSA keeps purging training providers — five stories from the dispatch desk in Melissa, Texas.

FMCSA issues 90-day HOS waiver for gasoline and diesel haulers

Reuters reported Sept. 17 (with reporting dated Sept. 16) that U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the administration is temporarily relaxing hours-of-service rules for truck drivers hauling gasoline and diesel, citing supply and cost concerns.

The 90-day waiver takes effect Wednesday and lets eligible drivers operate up to 16 hours within a 24-hour window, versus 14 under existing rules, so long as required rest breaks are taken. FMCSA framed the action as responding to global supply disruptions and expected late-summer and fall fuel demand. Motor carriers with conditional safety ratings are excluded, and a driver who needs immediate rest may take 10 consecutive hours off-duty before resuming. This is a fuel-hauler waiver — not a blanket HOS change for all trucking.

What it means: Fuel supply pressure is now shaping roadside rules as well as pump prices. Dry van and reefer shippers still need reliable asset-based trucks — get a lane quote. CDL-A hiring — company drivers and owner-operators.

National diesel ~$6.31; GasBuddy warns $6.50+ may be next

CNBC reported Sept. 16 that AAA put the national diesel average at an all-time high around $6.31 a gallon on Wednesday — more than 70% above a year ago.

GasBuddy’s Patrick De Haan said the national average could eclipse $6.50 within about two days, with Midwest states such as Michigan, Ohio and Illinois possibly touching $7. California diesel already averages above $8, up nearly 20% in the last month per AAA. Norfolk Southern’s Claude Elkins called California $8 diesel “science fiction” at the Morgan Stanley conference.

What it means: Fuel is eating the all-in on every OTR day. Price the whole lane. Maas runs dry van and reefer FTL from Melissa/DFW — asset-based, never re-brokered — get a lane quote.

Source: CNBC — Transport economy and diesel prices
Source: AAA Gas Prices

J.B. Hunt warns of Q3 earnings drop as fuel and driver costs spike

FreightWaves and CNBC reported Sept. 16 that J.B. Hunt executives said near-term cost pressures are outpacing pricing gains, and they expect a 5% to 10% sequential decline in earnings per share for Q3.

They flagged at least a $10 million sequential fuel headwind and about $25 million in incremental driver-related costs across recruiting, bonuses and onboarding. Shares fell roughly 12–13% Wednesday. Fuel surcharges operate on a one-week lag while diesel rose through much of Q3. Management still sees strong demand and said high truckload rates plus record fuel remain catalysts for road-to-rail conversion.

What it means: Even mega-fleets feel the fuel lag. Smaller asset-based carriers live or die on disciplined CPM and surcharge discipline. Shippers needing DFW/Melissa capacity — get a quote. Drivers and owner-operators — company drivers / owner-operators.

DAT: weekly dry van spot $2.20 — still +34% year over year

DAT Freight & Analytics’ dry van report dated Sept. 15 put dry van spot linehaul paid to carriers at an average $2.20 per mile last week (minus fuel) — down 0.6%, or a penny, from the prior week, but still 34.2% ($0.56) above a year earlier and near the top of the historical range against the nine-year seasonal average of $1.81.

Labor Day week cut load posts 18% week over week (still +23% year over year); truck posts eased 14.1% week over week and remain 40.2% below a year ago. The load-to-truck ratio slipped to 10.95 from 11.47. DAT’s 35-day Rate Forecast puts mid-October dry van spot near $2.20, plus or minus about $0.08.

What it means: Spot cooled a penny on the holiday week, but capacity is still tight versus last year. Asset-based Melissa/DFW trucks — get a quote. CDL-A — company drivers / owner-operators.

Source: DAT — Dry van report: rates ease on a holiday-shortened week

ICE CDL fraud tipline + FMCSA keeps cutting training providers

The Department of Homeland Security announced Sept. 9 that ICE launched a tipline for reporting commercial driver’s license (CDL) fraud, tied to the broader Joint Task Force Crossroads of America crackdown alongside DOT and DOJ.

FleetOwner coverage of the ongoing purge: FMCSA is removing over 110 driver training providers and proposing to shut down more than 160 others over English-proficiency and inadequate-training issues; the agency is also auditing state-authorized CDL skills testers to confirm tests are conducted in English. Carriers and new CDL applicants need verified, roadside-ready credentials — not paper mills.

What it means: Documented Class A experience and clean English-proficiency readiness matter more under this enforcement wave. Maas hires company drivers and owner-operators.

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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