State of freight: Markets marked by uncertainty, curtailing decision-making
Making business decisions is hard. It’s even harder when the direction of the economy is unclear. “We’re kind of in this fog of war. Everybody’s
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
Surprise! International Roadcheck 2025 is here
There are plenty of days on the calendar that everyone looks forward to each year, such as birthdays, holidays and special events. For most truck
Looking for a new truck-driving job? Before crossing that bridge, find out what’s on your record
Are you thinking about looking for a new job? If so, you’re not the only one; it’s a common reaction of many drivers during tough
Passing grade? TCA addresses infrastructure issues on Capitol Hill
On November 15, 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), commonly referred to as the “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” was signed into law by then-President
Trucking is a labor of love for driver and business owner Gary Dean Jones Jr.
Many drivers have found great careers behind the wheel of a commercial motor vehicle. For some of them, it’s just a job — a way
Truck sales strong in March but impact of tariff wars evident
The month of March is usually a strong one for U.S. sales of new Class 8 trucks, and it often sets the tone for the
Uncertainty about tariff wars and economy impacting truck sales and freight rates
While the public is concerned about instability in the stock market due to the Trump administration’s policy on tariffs, the trucking industry is focused on
No clear answers: Feds reconsidering regulations for emissions, engine life
It’s no secret that President Donald Trump has made a priority of reversing many of the actions taken by the administration of his predecessor, Joe
Construction ahead: Be patient and alert to safely navigate roadwork
Regardless of the calendar, anyone who drives for a living knows that “road construction season” lasts 12 months in many parts of the country. Thanks
Meet The Boston Trucker: Whether on the road or on the web, Mike Gaffin influences the industry
Mike Gaffin — you might know him better as “The Boston Trucker” — says he never considered himself an “influencer.” It all started back in 2009.
In the cab or in the office, the FCRA provides you with rights and responsibilities
If you’re like the vast majority of truck drivers, the job you currently hold is not your first driving job, and it won’t be your
Don’t give up: Complete the RTD process to regain your CDL after a Clearinghouse violation
Before diving into the topic of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMSCA) return-to-duty (RTD) process for drivers after being placed out of service for
Mobil Delvac celebrates 100th anniversary
On February 17, 2025, most of the U.S. was celebrating the President’s Day holiday. At Mobil Delvac, there was another reason to celebrate — the
Start preparing now for big changes to FMCSA’s safety measurement system
Major changes are coming to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA’s) Compliance, Safety, Accountability program — specifically the Safety Measurement System (SMS) portion. Since
February Class 8 truck sales hit lowest point since 2022
February was a tough month for truck dealers, with U.S. sales of new Class 8 tractors hitting the lowest point (15,725 units) since February 2022.
Mixed predictions for freight volume and rate increases muddled by threat of tariffs and recession
The year 2025 continues to disappoint those who were looking forward to increased freight volumes and rates during the first quarter. After a disappointing January,
Carriers can harness technology to identify and correct risky driver behavior
There’s little doubt that technology has changed the job of driving a commercial motor vehicle forever. Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) have changed the driver’s
‘Defensive driving’ means ensuring safety for everyone on the road
The term “defensive driving” has become nearly cliché around the trucking industry. Everyone wants to drive defensively, right? After all, no one wants to be
Regulation roundup: What does EPA’s rollback of emissions standards mean for trucking?
You know all those Biden-era Greenhouse Gas standards and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates regarding emissions standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles set to take
Beware the Ides of April: Use tax rules efficiently to maximize income potential
The deadline for filing U.S. income taxes is now less than a month away — April 15, to be exact. By now— hopefully — you’ve