Christopher Ross
Christopher Ross edits and publishes Hauler Daily from Fort Erie, Ontario.
- Regulation & policy
FMCSA extends automatic emergency hours-of-service relief from 14 to 30 days
A final rule effective Oct. 5, 2026 lengthens automatic hours-of-service relief after a regional emergency declaration from 14 to 30 days. Petitions are due Nov. 4.
- Regulation & policy
FMCSA seeks comment on a 16-week split sleeper berth study with 256 drivers
FMCSA's October 7 notice asks for comment by December 7 on a study of 5/5 and 6/4 sleeper berth splits; it changes no hours-of-service rule.
- Technology & automation
FMCSA grants Aurora five-year beacon exemption, reversing 2024 denial on scope, specificity and monitoring
FMCSA granted Aurora and other Level 4 ADS carriers a five-year cab-mounted beacon exemption on October 7, 2026, reversing a December 2024 denial.
- Regulation & policy
EPA extends Texas diesel sulfur waiver through Nov. 13 for older engines
EPA renewed its Texas diesel waiver on Oct. 20, extending it through Nov. 13, 2026 for certain older highway and nonroad equipment. The first waiver ran through Oct. 24.
- Rates & markets
SONAR tender rejection index hits 14.17% in mid-October
FreightWaves says the SONAR Tender Rejection Index rose to 14.17% this week in mid-October, with no matching surge in the Tender Volume Index.
- Regulation & policy
FMCSA seeks comment on a study of pausing the 14-hour driving window
FMCSA's October 6 notice seeks comment by December 7 on a 256-driver study of pausing the 14-hour driving window for up to 3 hours.
- Regulation & policy
FDA extends 510(k) exemption to federal-program use for 14 drug test types
An FDA order effective October 6, 2026 removes the federal-programs carve-out from the 510(k) exemption for 14 types of clinical toxicology test systems.
- Border & trade
What the Canada-US tariff documents say, and what they leave open for cross-border carriers
Canada's surtax on American goods took effect September 8, with a one-time in-transit carve-out; U.S. import bans were set for September 29.
- Border & trade
CBSA opens dumping and subsidy investigations into Chinese truck and bus tires
The CBSA is investigating whether truck and bus tires from China are dumped, subsidized, or both. The trade tribunal decides by October 30, 2026 whether injury is reasonably indicated.
- Fleet & equipment
August Class 8 order counts differ: FTR says 18,200, ACT says 16,800
FTR and ACT gave different preliminary August Class 8 orders, 18,200 and 16,800. FTR says the pre-buy for the proposed EPA 2027 limits is largely over.
- Regulation & policy
D.C. Circuit hears challenge to FMCSA's non-domiciled CDL rule
A D.C. Circuit panel heard argument on September 15 in the challenge to FMCSA's non-domiciled CDL rule. Two trade outlets reported that the judges questioned the agency's visa exemptions. No ruling yet.
- Technology & automation
Kodiak's driverless trucks get a path through weigh stations via PrePass
PrePass and Kodiak AI are integrating Kodiak's driverless trucks into PrePass's weigh-station bypass network, starting in Texas and Louisiana, so autonomous trucks can clear roadside inspection without a driver on board.
- Rates & markets
DAT says spot fell in August; Cass says its all-market linehaul index edged up
DAT reports August dry van spot linehaul fell 20 cents from July and sits below contract. Cass reports its all-market truckload linehaul index rose 0.7% from July. Both show rates well above a year ago.
- Labour & workforce
Trucking HR Canada counts 21,600 more sector jobs in August than a year earlier
Trucking HR Canada says the sector employed 21,600 more workers in August 2026 than a year earlier, including 9,100 more transport truck drivers.
- Technology & automation
Kodiak says its long-haul readiness measure reached 93% at the end of August
Kodiak AI says its own readiness measure for driverless long-haul operations reached 93% at the end of August, and that it still expects to launch the service before the end of 2026.
- Regulation & policy
Ottawa announces federal fuel excise suspension will run to January 31, 2027
Finance Canada says the federal fuel excise suspension will run to January 31, 2027, then half rates to March 31. It gives the diesel rate in that window as 2 cents a litre, against 4 cents in full.
- Drivers & safety
Saskatchewan brake operation places 103 vehicles out of service in 294 inspections
Saskatchewan says 294 inspections over three days in August at a weigh scale near Swift Current led to 103 commercial vehicles being placed out of service, 62 for brake defects.
- Regulation & policy
Transport Canada exemption lets certified fuel haulers reach 84 on-duty hours in seven days
An amended Transport Canada exemption, ASF-2026-03E, lifts the cycle limit to 84 on-duty hours in seven days for notified carriers and certified drivers hauling fuel in four provinces.
- Rates & markets
US on-highway diesel average sets a record in EIA weekly series
The US Energy Information Administration put average on-highway diesel at US$6.285 a gallon on September 14, the highest reading in its weekly series, which starts in 1994.