Maas Logistics Dispatch

Trucking News Roundup: Diesel Ban Talk, 14% Tender Rejections, Fuel HOS Waiver, Texas Parking, ELDT Cleanup

September 28, 2026 · By Maas Logistics Dispatch · 5 min read

The White House is still talking about a diesel export ban while AAA diesel sits near $6.50, van tender rejections hold near 14% with demand flat, fuel haulers get a temporary hours-of-service waiver through mid-December, TxDOT pushes major I-30 truck parking builds in East Texas, and FMCSA keeps scrubbing dead schools off the ELDT Training Provider Registry. Here's what it means from a dispatch desk in Melissa, Texas.

Trump: White House still "very seriously" considering a diesel export ban

CNBC (Sept. 28): President Trump told a Fox News reporter at the Presidents Cup in Illinois that the White House is still "thinking about it very seriously" regarding a U.S. diesel export ban, adding it can raise gasoline prices and that "we may do it." Average U.S. diesel hovered around $6.50 a gallon on Friday per AAA — below the Sept. 22 record near $6.53 but still roughly $3 above a year ago in many reports.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright has floated restrictions rather than a blanket ban; Politico previously reported a possible 90-day export pause under study. Morgan Stanley strategists warned an export curb could initially ease U.S. diesel while lifting global prices and feeding back into U.S. gasoline as refiners adjust runs. API CEO Mike Sommers argued restricting energy exports would compound refining stress. Argus Media noted the U.S. has supplied about half of Europe's recent diesel imports, so any curb would hit overseas markets hard — and traders still doubt a hard ban lands.

What it means: Fuel policy is now another rate-volatility switch for small fleets. Owner-operators and company drivers who want a stable Melissa/DFW home base — company drivers / owner-operators. Shippers who need an asset truck that shows — get a freight quote.

Source: CNBC: Trump says White House is still very seriously considering a diesel export ban

Van tender rejections hold near 14% — capacity fragility, not a demand boom

FreightWaves SONAR Update via Yahoo Finance summary (Sept. 25): National Tender Rejection Index climbed to about 14% and is holding near a secondary peak that rivals Labor Day levels, with dry van driving most of the pressure. Van moves are roughly 60–70% of U.S. tendered freight, so even modest rejection climbs matter more than similar moves in reefer or flatbed. Reefer rejections run near 20% (harvest support); flatbed near 19%.

Strickland stressed demand is not the story — tender volumes ticked up after the holiday but remain below April levels. Midwest hubs (Joliet, Columbus, plus Allentown and Elizabeth, N.J.) are the stickiest spots. Spot maps show mostly upward van pressure with soft pockets (Atlanta, Greenville, S.C.). Diesel helps the rate story only when the market lets fuel pass through — fragility is currently giving carriers that opening in places.

What it means: Soft tonnage with firmer rejections is still a capacity story. Asset fleets that stayed compliant still have a seat. Melissa/DFW CDL-A hiring — company drivers / owner-operators. Shippers locking lanes — get a freight quote.

Source: FreightWaves via Yahoo Finance: Van freight tightens, capacity stays fragile

FMCSA's 90-day HOS waiver for gasoline and diesel haulers runs through Dec. 16

Reuters / Overdrive coverage of FMCSA action (effective Sept. 16, 2026): Covered fuel-hauling drivers get temporary hours-of-service flexibility through Dec. 16, 2026. Under the waiver: drive up to 16 hours in any 24-hour period (vs. the normal 14-hour window under 49 CFR 395.3), with required rest — at least 6 consecutive sleeper-berth hours per 24 hours, or 8 consecutive off-duty hours if no sleeper.

Drivers must keep a copy of the waiver, hold a valid CDL with needed endorsements, and not be under OOS/disqualification. Conditional-rated carriers are not eligible. If a driver says they need immediate rest, the carrier must allow at least 10 consecutive hours off before resuming. FMCSA cited global supply disruptions and expected late-summer/fall fuel demand.

What it means: This is fuel-hauler relief, not a blanket HOS holiday for dry van/reefer fleets. General freight still runs on normal clocks — and parking/fatigue still matter. Hiring serious CDL-A — company drivers / owner-operators. Need a truck that shows — get a freight quote.

Source: Reuters: US temporarily eases working hours for fuel truck drivers

TxDOT advances major I-30 truck parking builds in East Texas

KTBS / TxDOT (Sept. 14 coverage, still moving ahead into late September): TxDOT plans new truck parking lots on both sides of I-30 in Bowie County near County Road 4204 — about $10.6 million with ramps, lighting, and signage, sized for roughly 160 trucks. Construction is scheduled to begin next month (relative to mid-September reporting) with finish targeted for 2028.

A separate Titus County project near the I-30 weigh station west of Mount Pleasant adds about 22 spaces (expected completion next year / ~2027). TxDOT spokeswoman Heather Deaton said illegal shoulder and ramp parking hurts motorists and infrastructure when legal spaces are scarce.

What it means: East Texas I-30 is a real parking desert for OTR drivers cutting toward DFW. More legal spaces reduce shoulder risk and HOS scramble. Drivers who want a North Texas home base — company drivers / owner-operators. Shippers sending freight across I-30 — get a freight quote.

Source: KTBS: TxDOT moves forward with major truck parking project along I-30 in East Texas

FMCSA keeps cleaning the ELDT Training Provider Registry

AAMVA / FMCSA TPR reporting (ongoing Sept. 2026): FMCSA has removed nearly 3,000 CDL training providers from the Training Provider Registry that had been inactive for over a year, with thousands more on notice for ELDT noncompliance. Separate industry reporting earlier this cycle described emergency removals for inadequate facilities, instructor licensing gaps, and missing records on top of multi-thousand removals over prior months. TPR public counters have shown thousands of locations removed and more under review.

Only training from an active TPR-listed provider meets federal ELDT requirements; training after a removal date is invalid. Applicants should verify https://tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov/ before enrolling.

What it means: A cheap school that is not on the TPR wastes money and delays a CDL. Fleets hiring serious Class A talent still need graduates from listed providers. Apply when you are ready — company drivers / owner-operators. Freight that needs a vetted asset carrier — get a freight quote.

Source: AAMVA: FMCSA removes noncompliant training providers

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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