Maas Logistics Dispatch

Trucking News Roundup: ATA Tonnage Dips, Fuel Hauler HOS Waiver, Texas Unlicensed Dump Trucks, ELP Out-of-Service Rule, Non-Domiciled CDL Court Fight

September 24, 2026 · By Maas Logistics Dispatch · 5 min read

ATA's August tonnage index slipped again while capacity keeps the boards firm, FMCSA handed fuel haulers a 90-day hours-of-service waiver, police in Krugerville, Texas pulled completely unlicensed dump-truck drivers, FMCSA wants English-proficiency out-of-service enforcement written permanently into the regs, and the D.C. Circuit pressed the government on its non-domiciled CDL crackdown. Here's what it means from a dispatch desk in Melissa, Texas.

ATA August tonnage dips — capacity, not demand, is still the story

American Trucking Associations reported Sept. 22 that its For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index slipped 0.5% from July to 112.7 and was down 1.6% year over year. Chief Economist Bob Costello noted tonnage fell in four of the last five months and sits 4.3% below the March peak — yet he still calls the overall market generally better because supply constraints are doing the heavy lifting.

Year-to-date tonnage through August is still up about 1% versus 2025. The ATA index tracks contract freight carriers, with 2015 as the baseline of 100.

What it means: Softer tonnage with firmer boards means shippers still hunt reliable asset trucks. CDL-A drivers in Melissa/DFW — see company driver openings or lease on with Maas. DFW shippers — get a freight quote.

Source: Transport Topics: ATA For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index (August 2026)

FMCSA 90-day HOS waiver for gasoline and diesel haulers

FMCSA issued a nationwide 90-day hours-of-service waiver for carriers and drivers transporting gasoline and diesel, effective 12:00 a.m. Sept. 16 through 11:59 p.m. Dec. 16, 2026.

Eligible drivers may drive up to 16 hours in any 24-hour period, with a required 6-hour sleeper-berth break or 8 hours off duty if the truck has no sleeper. Conditional-rated carriers are excluded, and drivers must carry a copy of the waiver.

What it means: This is fuel-haul only — it does not rewrite hours-of-service for dry van, reefer, or flatbed OTR. Running with Maas: company drivers, owner-operators. Need a truck: get a freight quote.

Krugerville, TX: cops pull completely unlicensed dump-truck drivers

CDL Life reported Sept. 22 that Krugerville police in Denton County, north of Dallas, stopped a dump truck running just under the CMV weight limit while doing CMV-type work. The driver was completely unlicensed.

A truck sent to the scene for the ride had matching violations and another unlicensed driver. Both trucks were towed.

What it means: That's license enforcement right on the DFW fringe. A valid Class A CDL and current DOT medical card is the standard at Maas — company drivers and owner-operators. Shippers — get a freight quote.

Source: CDL Life: Texas cops nab unlicensed drivers operating trucks under CMV weight limit

FMCSA moves to lock English-proficiency out-of-service enforcement in the regs

Land Line reported Sept. 23 that a proposed FMCSA rule would permanently treat English-language-proficiency failures under 49 CFR 391.11(b)(2) as out-of-service violations. FMCSA says more than 26,000 drivers have been pulled since out-of-service enforcement resumed.

Comments on the proposal run through Oct. 9 under Docket FMCSA-2026-0826. More than 1,700 comments were filed as of Sept. 22, mostly in support.

What it means: ELP out-of-service is getting written into the regulations, not left as policy. English-proficient CDL-A drivers in Melissa/DFW — company drivers and owner-operators. Shippers — get a freight quote.

Source: Land Line: Truckers applaud FMCSA's proposal to add teeth to English proficiency rule

D.C. Circuit probes FMCSA non-domiciled CDL crackdown in Lujan arguments

FreightWaves reported Sept. 23 that oral arguments in Lujan v. FMCSA went before the D.C. Circuit. The rule narrowed non-domiciled CDL proof to a passport plus an I-94, taking employment authorization documents off the table.

Judges pressed the DOT on its safety-gap rationale. Separate arguments in New York are set for Sept. 28 on funding and CDL issuance.

What it means: Non-domiciled CDL rules are still in flux while the courts weigh in. Serious Class A drivers in Melissa/DFW — company drivers and owner-operators. Shippers — get a freight quote.

Source: FreightWaves: Some judicial skepticism of non-domiciled rule in Lujan arguments

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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