Trucking Industry Sounds Off on Deregulation: Reform or Trouble Ahead?

by TRUCKERS VA
(UNITED STATES)

Intro – When Deregulation Drops, You Better Speak Up or Get Rolled Over

If there’s one thing truckers hate more than 4-wheelers cutting them off on an on-ramp, it’s bloated government red tape. But when talk of “deregulation” starts making the rounds, it’s not always time to celebrate.

That’s why the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) opened the floor to the trucking industry to hear what drivers, carriers, and fleet operators really think about proposed deregulation moves. And let me tell you — the feedback didn’t disappoint.

From insurance premiums to safety scoring, weight limits, and pointless paperwork, the trucking world had plenty to say. The goal? Clear out outdated rules and improve efficiency. But depending on who you ask, this could either help trucking finally breathe or just be another chance to squeeze the driver for more and pay less.

Key Points – What the Industry Wants (and What It’s Worried About)

1. Insurance Costs –
Owner-operators and small fleets are screaming loudest here. Rising insurance rates are crushing businesses. The industry is demanding protection against excessive minimum coverage hikes, which are often pushed by trial lawyer lobbying, not safety data. If limits rise, many one-truck operations won’t survive.

2. CSA Safety Scoring Reform –
FMCSA’s CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) program is supposed to track unsafe drivers and carriers — but many say it’s flawed, inconsistent, and unfair. Violations from things outside the driver’s control (like a flat tire found at a weigh station) can ruin their safety record.

Feedback? Either fix it or scrap it. Because right now, it’s punishing the wrong people.

3. Size & Weight Restrictions –
Bigger trailers? Heavier loads? Some say yes — it means fewer trips and lower emissions. But others raise serious concerns about road safety, wear and tear on highways, and fatigue from handling extra weight. Not to mention — if loads get heavier, will pay go up too? (Spoiler: probably not.)

4. Overlapping Rules –
Drivers and companies want the DOT to eliminate redundant paperwork and mixed signals between state and federal regulations. It’s costing time, patience, and money. Especially for small carriers with little back-office support, regulatory compliance becomes a full-time job — without the paycheck.

5. Fear of Hidden Loopholes –
Let’s be real — "deregulation" can sound like “loosen up,” but many drivers worry it’s code for letting megacarriers push harder with fewer protections. There’s a fine line between cutting red tape and cutting into driver rights.

Multiple Perspectives – Everybody Wants Change… But Not the Same Kind

The Owner-Operator – “I’m not against deregulation, but don’t deregulate me into bankruptcy. If my insurance triples, I’m out.”

The Fleet Safety Manager – “We want smarter safety scoring, not looser safety. Some of these scores don’t match what’s really happening.”

The Company Driver – “You can raise weight limits all day, but if I’m not getting paid more and I’m more at risk — why would I want that?”

The Industry Watchdog – “Reform is fine, but don’t turn drivers into collateral damage for carrier profits.”

This ain’t a one-size-fits-all conversation. It’s a tug-of-war between efficiency and fairness, safety and savings.

Industry Response – ATA, OOIDA, and Everyone in Between Speaks Up

Major industry groups like the American Trucking Associations (ATA) and OOIDA (Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association) sent in detailed responses.

ATA’s focus? Efficiency, modernization, and harmonizing regulations across states. They want better use of tech and less redundant compliance requirements.

OOIDA’s angle? Protect small fleets and drivers. Make sure deregulation doesn’t open the door to unfair insurance hikes, driver exploitation, or safety backsliding.

Even telematics companies and shippers chimed in — asking for data-driven decisions and better rules around Hours of Service and driver tracking.

It’s clear: everyone wants change. They just don’t agree on how far it should go or who should benefit first.

The Bottom Line – Be Careful What You Cut (and Who You Cut Out)

Deregulation isn’t just about snipping red tape. It’s about reshaping power in the industry. Done right, it could help truckers breathe easier, focus on what matters, and run more profitable miles.

Done wrong? It could bulldoze independent drivers, increase risk, and give even more leverage to the big guys.

That’s why feedback like this matters. Because when you don’t speak up, someone else rewrites the rules — and it won’t be in your favor.

📣 Call to Action – The Laws Might Change, But Your Freedom’s Gotta Be Earned

Whether regulations tighten or loosen, the smartest drivers don’t wait on Washington to “fix” the industry.

They’re:

Building side income from the cab

Learning AI and automation tools

Setting up a backup plan that isn’t chained to the next load

👉 Start learning how to build freedom at RetireFromTrucking.com
👉 Or visit LifeAsATrucker.com for support, tools, and real-world advice