Trucking News Roundup: ATRI Ranks Fuel No. 1 as Driver Shortage Returns to the Top 10, Fleets Target Driver Pay Raises, FMCSA Moves to Vet CDL Schools, Class 8 Sales Jump 30% (Oct 19, 2026)

ATRI Top Industry Issues: fuel jumps to No. 1, driver shortage back at No. 5

Transport Topics (Oct 18, 2026), ATRI 22nd annual Top Industry Issues report released at ATA's Management Conference & Exhibition in Charlotte: Fuel prices climbed 17 spots to become the industry's top concern, based on nearly 3,100 respondents (about 48% carrier executives/personnel, 26% truck drivers, 26% other stakeholders). It is the first time drivers themselves ranked fuel as their top concern. Lawsuit abuse reform held No. 2, CSA rose to No. 3, insurance cost/availability No. 4, and the driver shortage returned to the top 10 at No. 5. The economy fell from No. 1 to No. 6; AI in trucking rose to No. 7; diesel emissions rules No. 8; driver compensation No. 9; driver retention No. 10. Among driver respondents (company drivers and owner-operators), the top three were fuel prices, truck parking and driver compensation. ATRI's Rebecca Brewster said non-fuel operating cost reached $1.85 per mile — the highest in the 18-year history of that research.

What it means: Fuel and parking are what drivers feel every day; shortage, pay and retention are back on carriers' radar together. Owner-operators should run every load on net-after-fuel math and keep deadhead low — Maas OO keep 87–90% of gross with non-forced dispatch: owner-operators. Shippers: fuel terms and reliable capacity both matter on contracts — get a quote.

• Source: Transport Topics — ATRI Top Industry Issues 2026

Fleets target driver pay raises — and recruiting costs keep climbing

Transport Topics (Oct 16, 2026): At least eight large fleets — including Anderson Trucking Service, Crete Carrier, Fleetmaster Express, GP Transco, K&B Transportation, Nussbaum, Roehl and USA Truck — have announced pay raises or new incentives since May 11, aimed at specific lanes, regions and hard-to-fill jobs rather than across-the-board increases. National Transportation Institute president Leah Shaver said most of the movement is in over-the-road and specialized roles, established teams and tight markets, and that qualified driver supply is tightening before freight demand has fully recovered; she expects targeted raises and creative incentives to continue into 2027. ATS said it is moving its van side toward a cents-per-mile pay model because that is what most drivers know.

Supporting data from Randall Reilly's October 30 Day Reset (Oct 8, 2026): Google driver-job search activity fell 11% in September, truck-driver job seekers on Indeed fell 10%, and recruiting cost per lead rose 5% in the month to its highest level since June 2022 (up 46% year over year; up 55% for solo company drivers). In Randall Reilly's driver polling, 35% of drivers who went quiet did so while still talking with a recruiter, and 42% of those who backed out after saying yes said the process "felt off" — versus 21% who took a better offer.

What it means: A tighter driver market means more choices — so get the offer in writing and compare it the same way across carriers (CPM vs percent, fuel, empty miles). Guides: CPM pay explained and dry van vs reefer CDL jobs. Maas company drivers start at 50+ CPM dry van / 60+ CPM reefer, OTR 48 states, non-forced dispatch: company-drivers. Questions? Call dispatch at (916) 770-7323.

• Source: Transport Topics — fleets target driver pay raises
• Source: Randall Reilly — October 30 Day Reset

FMCSA seeks emergency power to vet CDL schools before they list

Transport Topics (Oct 16, 2026) and CDLWire (Oct 16, 2026, citing Overdrive): FMCSA asked the Office of Management and Budget for emergency approval to review training providers before they are listed on the Training Provider Registry, after finding that schools removed for fraud were self-certifying back onto the registry under new names and details such as a new email address. Before listing (and when adding a location), providers would submit theory and behind-the-wheel lesson plans, proof of compliant training vehicles, instructor qualifications, proof of state authorization and facility documentation. FMCSA said nearly 10,000 school sites have been shuttered in the wider crackdown and about 800 schools remain under review. Separately, Overdrive reported that at least six of the 110 schools removed in August have been reinstated on appeal, about 20 contested the removals, and one New Jersey school has sued.

What it means: New CDL holders should confirm their school was properly listed on the Training Provider Registry and keep their ELDT completion paperwork handy when applying. First-carrier guide for new grads in Texas/DFW: first carrier after CDL school. Valid Class A CDL holders can apply: company-drivers.

• Source: Transport Topics — FMCSA CDL school review
• Source: CDLWire — FMCSA CDL mill purge reversals

Shippers grill carriers and brokers on safety after Montgomery

Transport Topics (Oct 18, 2026), ATA MCE panel Oct 17: Ferguson Enterprises VP of global logistics Nick Palmucci said business reviews that once centered on service, claims and rates now open with the carrier's safety strategy, risk handling, insurance, and driver development, recruiting and retention — a shift since the Supreme Court's May 14 Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II ruling, which held brokers are not shielded by federal law from state negligent-hiring suits. ArcBest CEO Seth Runser said customers keep asking how drivers are trained and that ArcBest re-vetted carriers, especially those that had not hauled for it in a while. TT also noted a Texas judge in Dallas County affirmed a July verdict leaving C.H. Robinson liable for more than $600 million over a 2021 fatal crash; C.H. Robinson is appealing.

What it means: Shippers want to know who actually hauls their freight. Maas is asset-based and never re-brokers dry van and reefer loads — see asset-based carrier vs freight broker and the carrier vetting checklist, then request a quote.

• Source: Transport Topics — shippers grill carriers on safety

Class 8 sales jump 30% in September; Peterbilt's Denton plant adds 1,000+ jobs

Transport Topics (Oct 18, 2026), Omdia Automotive data: U.S. Class 8 retail sales rose 30% year over year in September to 21,095 units (from 16,228) and 13.6% above August, though year-to-date sales are still down 5% at 152,960. ACT Research's Steve Tam pointed to production finally ramping, year-end buying and Section 179 tax planning, with for-hire carrier profitability a main driver this year. Separately, TT (Oct 16) reported Peterbilt's Denton, Texas plant — its largest — has added more than 1,000 employees in 2026 and is still hiring, with FTR data showing North American orders through September running 95% above 2025.

What it means: Fleets are buying trucks again, and North Texas is building them. More trucks still need qualified drivers — DFW-area Class A drivers and owner-operators can apply at company-drivers and owner-operators.

• Source: Transport Topics — Class 8 sales September 2026
• Source: Transport Topics — Peterbilt Denton hiring

For drivers and shippers (Monday note)

Drivers: pay is moving in targeted spots, recruiting is getting more expensive for carriers, and fuel is the No. 1 worry — so compare offers on the same terms and ask how fuel and empty miles are handled. EIA's next weekly diesel price update is due Tuesday, Oct 20. Company drivers (valid Class A CDL): 50+ CPM dry van / 60+ CPM reefer — [company-drivers](/drive-with-us/company-drivers). Owner-operators: 87–90% of gross, non-forced dispatch — [owner-operators](/drive-with-us/owner-operators).

Shippers: safety and who-actually-hauls-it questions are now front of the business review — asset-based dry van and reefer out of Melissa / DFW: [get a freight quote](/quote).

What it means: Hiring CDL-A company drivers: company driver openings. Owner-operators: lease on with Maas. Need a truck: get a freight quote. Phone: (916) 770-7323 | Melissa, TX / DFW | USDOT 3179194 | MC 124881.