Every month, the regulatory landscape shifts in ways that are easy to miss if you’re running a fleet. Court decisions land. Agencies publish guidance. States pass bills. Some of it is noise. Some of it will cost you.
This month had more than its share of the latter.
Below is my breakdown of the updates that matter most — what’s changed, what’s required, and where you need to take action.
The Story Everyone in Trucking Is Talking About: Freight Broker Liability
The U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous ruling in Montgomery v. Caribe Transport that will reshape how the industry thinks about carrier vetting.
The court held that negligent hiring claims against freight brokers are not preempted by the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act (FAAAA). In short: brokers can be held liable if they hire an unsafe carrier and something goes wrong.
What makes this complicated is the data problem. The court’s ruling will ultimately put pressure on brokers to demonstrate they exercised care in selecting carriers — but one of the primary tools available (CSA scores) comes with a built-in caveat from DOT itself: those scores are meant for prioritization, not as definitive measures of a carrier’s current safety performance. The other primary tool (safety rating) may be outdated or non-existent since over 90% of motor carriers have never undergone the comprehensive audit required to receive a safety rating from DOT.
What this means for fleets:
- Motor carriers with strong safety and compliance programs are now a more attractive partner — and those without one are a liability.
- Expect insurance carriers and brokers to scrutinize your safety data more closely.
- Maintaining documented, proactive safety programs is no longer just a regulatory requirement. It’s a competitive differentiator.
DOL Clarifies English Language Proficiency Rules for Foreign CDL Drivers
On May 14, the Department of Labor issued new guidance on English language proficiency (ELP) requirements for employers hiring non-citizen CMV drivers through the labor certification process.
The directive is straightforward: if an employer’s labor certification application doesn’t include the required ELP standard, DOL will issue a Notice of Deficiency and stop processing the application until it’s corrected. The rule takes effect 30 days after publication.
Two things worth noting:
- Screening and testing for English proficiency remains the responsibility of FMCSA and, for foreign visa applicants, the State Department.
- This came the same week the Texas Attorney General launched an investigation into trucking schools accused of certifying drivers who cannot speak English — a reminder that enforcement pressure around this issue is building at multiple levels.
Action item: Review your labor certification applications and hiring documentation now. Don’t wait for a Notice of Deficiency to find out you’re out of compliance.
Texas AG Investigates Trucking Schools
The Texas Attorney General opened a statewide investigation into CDL schools allegedly certifying unqualified drivers, including those who don’t meet English language requirements.
The investigation follows a directive from Governor Abbott requiring the Texas Department of Public Safety to strictly enforce both federal and state requirements. Some schools under investigation say they weren’t notified directly — they found out through media coverage.
This is worth watching regardless of where your drivers trained. If the investigation produces findings, expect it to accelerate federal and state scrutiny of CDL school standards broadly.
Multiple ELDs Revoked — Check Your Devices
FMCSA revoked a significant number of ELDs this month across two separate actions. Carriers using revoked devices must:
- Immediately revert to paper logs or compliant logging software for HOS recording.
- Replace the revoked ELD within 60 days with a device from FMCSA’s Registered Devices list.
Deadlines vary by the revocation action — July 7 for the first group, July 20 for the second. Check the FMCSA ELD News and Events page to confirm whether your devices are affected. This is a straightforward compliance gap with a hard deadline. Don’t let it become a roadside inspection problem.
FMCSA Clearinghouse Is Getting Stricter on Identity Verification
FMCSA has announced upgraded identity verification requirements for Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse users. The new process involves biometric scans and mobile ID verification through IDEMIA — the same identity security firm used by Homeland Security at airports.
This is similar in structure to the MOTUS process. Fleet managers and designated employers should monitor the FMCSA website for updates on timelines and requirements.
DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing: Updates Worth Noting
Terminology update
DOT published a final rule updating terminology in drug and alcohol testing regulations, effective June 10. It also adds a provision requiring directly observed urine collection in situations where oral fluid testing is currently required, but oral fluid collection isn’t yet available.
Marijuana guidance
DOT reinforced its position on marijuana. Medical Review Officers cannot deem a marijuana-positive test result negative based on a driver’s use of a state-licensed marijuana product. The guidance is unambiguous: marijuana use — regardless of state law or program — is not a legitimate medical explanation under 49 CFR § 40.137(a) and is incompatible with safety-sensitive functions.
Oral fluid and hair testing moving forward
Following bipartisan Congressional pressure on HHS, FDA has proposed removing the 510(k) clearance requirement that has blocked DOT from moving forward with oral fluid and hair testing. The public comment period is open through June 30. If these testing methods matter to your program, now is the time to weigh in.
California Moves on Autonomous CMVs
California lifted its ban on autonomous commercial vehicles and published some of the most detailed AV regulations in the country. Key points:
- The ban on vehicles over 10,000 lbs is lifted.
- Manufacturers must complete phased testing, starting with a safety driver present, before applying for commercial use.
- Heavy-duty vehicles require 500,000 test miles at each phase before advancing.
- Autonomous vehicles must still stop at inspection stations and comply with all state and federal requirements.
This won’t affect day-to-day fleet operations in the near term, but it’s a clear signal about where the industry is headed. Carriers operating in California should understand what compliance obligations will apply to any autonomous vehicles down the road.
CVSA Activity: Safe Driver Week and Brake Safety
Operation Safe Driver Week
Scheduled for July 12–18, with a focus on reckless, careless, or dangerous driving. Both CMV drivers and passenger vehicle drivers can be stopped. With 36,640 traffic fatalities in the U.S. in 2025, this is not a campaign CVSA is running lightly.
Annual Brake Safety Week
Scheduled for August 23–29. The unannounced Brake Safety Day in April found 85.7% of inspected vehicles had no brake-related out-of-service violations — a solid baseline, but the August campaign will be broader and more visible. Make sure your brake inspection and maintenance records are current.
California Electric Truck Incentives
Senate Bill 1213
Would expand California’s voucher program to cover 90% of the purchase cost for electric trucks, require OEMs to report pricing data quarterly, and direct the state to explore alternative financing models by 2028. The bill passed its Senate policy committee unanimously and is moving forward.
CARB’s Rebate Program
Launches June 26, funded by the Low Carbon Fuel Standard. Up to $250 million is available this year and more than $1 billion through 2030. Rebates range from $7,500 to $120,000 depending on vehicle type, administered by Southern California Edison.
If you’re operating in California or evaluating electrification, these programs are worth tracking closely — the financial terms are materially better than what’s been available previously.
Lori Johnson is a compliance expert at Fleetworthy, where she monitors regulatory developments across FMCSA, DOT, CVSA, and state agencies. This briefing is published monthly to help fleet operators stay ahead of changes that affect their business.