📣 Drivers, Speak Up: DOT Wants Your Input Before the 2026 Highway Bill Expires

by TRUCKERS VA
(UNITED STATES)

Time to lean on the air horn—but this time, for a good reason. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is officially asking for **your input** on the next big “highway bill” before the current one rolls off the lot in 2026. Whether you're a company driver, owner-operator, dispatcher, or truck-stop philosopher, Uncle Sam wants to know what you think about America’s roads, freight flow, and truck parking nightmares.

So yeah, this ain’t your average DOT memo. It’s a real chance to shape the future of trucking—no clipboard needed. And true to Hervy’s “Report Better News” flavor, we’re skipping the suits-and-ties lingo and breaking it down like you’d explain it at a truck stop counter.

🗣️ Why DOT’s Handing You the Mic

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg (not Sean Duffy—though he might’ve said it louder) made it clear: the DOT wants *real-world insight*, not just ivory-tower expert talk. The official call for public comment is now open in the Federal Register under Docket No. DOT‑OST‑2025‑0468, and they’re all ears until **August 20, 2025**.

They’re asking for your thoughts on:

What worked in the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
What didn’t—like long project delays or buried-in-permits red tape
What needs upgrading—parking, safety, freight flow, autonomous trucking tech, etc.

Translation? They want boots-on-the-ground advice—not just what’s trending on LinkedIn.

🚚 Truck Parking: No Longer a “Nice-to-Have”

If you've ever white-knuckled it looking for a safe parking spot at midnight, you know the pain. DOT knows it too. That’s why they’re earmarking **$755 million** over three years just for truck parking improvements in the new bill.

Why it matters:

More parking = fewer HOS violations
Less fatigue = safer roads
Safer rest = happier drivers

But don’t expect cookie-cutter “solutions” from DOT. They want *your* ideas—real proposals on where these funds should land. So if there's an abandoned lot begging to be a rest area, speak up.

🔧 Permits, Red Tape, and Freight Flow Fixes

Let’s talk about the “P” word: permits. And their annoying cousin: delays. If

you've ever waited months just to get a project rolling or dealt with overlapping state/federal rules, this is your time to vent—and recommend fixes.

DOT’s aiming to:

Speed up environmental reviews
Streamline permitting between states and agencies
Get freight moving again—with less drama

They’re not just talking about it. They want real input from drivers, fleet operators, and anyone who’s seen firsthand how bureaucracy jams up the system.

💡 Not Just Roads: Tech, Equity, and Real-World Upgrades

This isn’t just about paving potholes. DOT’s asking for big-picture ideas:

How to support autonomous trucks with smart infrastructure
Fixing bottlenecks and chokepoints in the supply chain
Equity ideas that help rural and underserved areas get their share

One thing they’re *not* doing: pushing EVs or climate stuff with a sledgehammer. If you’ve got green solutions, great—but there’s no EV-only mandate hiding in here. It’s about practical improvements, not politics.

🛣️ How to Drop Your 2 Cents (Or 10)

Here’s how to get your voice in the mix:

Deadline: Comments due by August 20, 2025
Find the Docket: Go to Regulations.gov and search for DOT‑OST‑2025‑0468
Submit: Share your ideas on parking, tech, red tape—whatever matters most
Collaborate: DOT’s listening to drivers, carriers, city folks, country folks—everybody

💸 Bottom Line for Drivers

This ain’t just Washington noise. It’s your chance to be heard—and make a difference. If you’ve ever cursed a broken rest stop, dodged potholes in a 53-footer, or wondered why your tech suggestion got ignored—**now’s your time**.

You’re on the front lines every day. Let DOT know what’s broken, what works, and what’s needed to move this industry forward. Or don’t—and let a bunch of lobbyists do the deciding for you. Your call.

👉 Want to weigh in? Go to Regulations.gov and search for Docket No. DOT‑OST‑2025‑0468 before August 20, 2025. You’ve got time—but not forever.