New drug testing methods may be here soon
The landscape of drug testing for commercial vehicle operators is changing, and it could impact one of your most important job resources, your drug and
Cliff Abbott
- About Cliff Abbott
- Cliff Abbott is an experienced commercial vehicle driver and owner-operator who still holds a CDL in his home state of Alabama. In nearly 40 years in trucking, he’s been an instructor and trainer and has managed safety and recruiting operations for several carriers. Having never lost his love of the road, Cliff has written a book and hundreds of songs and has been writing for The Trucker for more than a decade.
Posts by Cliff Abbott
May Class 8 truck orders climb despite ongoing sales headwinds
The month of May brought a modest increase in U.S. sales of new Class 8 trucks, but the results still lagged 8.0% behind May 2025
One step closer: FDA removes prohibitions on drug testing devices; BUILD America 250 pushes hair testing
Long-awaited changes may be coming soon to trucking industry drug and alcohol testing programs — namely the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Drug and
Freight rates continue climb as fuel price pressure subsides. However, slow economic growth suppresses volumes
The cost of diesel fuel remained a major profitability factor in May, as small trucking businesses saw increased revenues largely consumed by higher fuel prices.
Capacity crunch: Freight demand is rebounding, but driver availability may constrain future growth
After the longest freight downcycle in recent memory, the trucking industry is finally turning the corner. Capacity is down and freight rates are moving upward.
Brake safety: Would your truck’s brakes pass the test?
Roadside checks uncover how much a driver values — or does not value — highway safety Take a drive down a section of interstate highway
Don’t fear the DOT doc: Not all medical conditions mean disqualification from driving a CMV
For many drivers, the DOT physical examination is far from a routine, biannual inconvenience. Trucking careers have been suspended, temporarily and permanently, due to negative
Rise in liability insurance rates causing industry anxiety to rise as well
You work hard to promote safety in your trucking business. You’re managing both the risk and the cost of insuring that risk. You’ve successfully avoided
Looking for a new trucking job? Here is how to find out what you need to know
If you are applying for a management position, you’ll carefully construct your resume and send it in. Your goal is to get noticed and get
April sales of new Class 8 trucks fall nearly 12% year over year
The sales slowdown continued for the U.S. new Class 8 market in April. A total of 15,941 trucks were sold during the month, according to
April freight report: Spot market rates on the rise, capacity tightening
Trucking conditions still point to industry recovery in second half of 2026 Freight rates are up — but a healthy portion of the increase can
Highway reauthorization 2026: BUILD America 250 Act pays for roads, bridges and a lot more
The chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Sam Graves (R-MO) said it was his intention to get a new surface transportation reauthorization bill
Attention owner-ops! SCOTUS ruling on broker liability could impact your small trucking business
As an owner-operator, you’re in control of the ownership of both a truck and a trucking business. Due to a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling,
Summer heat brings more traffic to the highway — and a new set of challenges for truck drivers
The world is green again and winter dreariness is long gone. While the days and nights are generally pleasant this time of year, you can
Drivers, don’t let your money go down the drain: Understand how pay advances and fees impact your finances
When one thinks of “managing” something, thoughts usually turn to people in an office with desks and job titles. The reality, however, is that management
Deep roots, support from TCA help this small carrier realize success in a tough market
Bar S Logistics is an 11-year-old carrier, but its roots go back 90 years or more. To borrow a Hollywood term, the company is a
March report: Sales of Class 8 trucks subdued but orders remained strong
U.S. sales of new Class 8 trucks remained weak in March even as orders for future delivery grew from last year. According to data received
Detour ahead? Route to funding truck parking may change but destination remains constant
Politics, like trucking, sometimes involves necessary detours and delays. And sometimes an alternate route turns out to be the best way to reach your destination.
Freight market shows signs of improvement, but still has ‘miles to go’
Turmoil in the Middle East continues to prop up diesel fuel prices in addition to causing some freight volume fluctuation. Even so, freight numbers are
Signing off: Trucking radio legend Dave Nemo reflects on a legacy of more than half a century
Before smartphones, Wi-Fi and podcasting, before cellphones and satellite radio, before in-cab satellite communication and pagers, and even before FM (frequency modulation) radio stations, the