Broker liability is no longer a theoretical risk. A $604 million verdict against C.H. Robinson made that concrete this month, and Congress is now moving on multiple fronts to restructure how carriers enter the industry and how liability is assigned when things go wrong.
Alongside those headline stories, FMCSA dropped a wave of regulatory updates, including 10 ELD revocations, a technical corrections rule, and new safety resources. The EPA also issued guidance that could meaningfully reduce maintenance costs for carriers willing to look beyond branded service centers.
This month’s briefing covers the C.H. Robinson broker liability verdict, the SAFE Act targeting chameleon carriers, ten FMCSA ELD revocations, CVSA Brake Safety Week preparation, EPA repair guidance, NOx standard amendments for MY 2027 engines, and more.
Freight Broker Liability in 2026: The C.H. Robinson Verdict and What It Means for Motor Carriers
C.H. Robinson is appealing a $604 million jury verdict stemming from a 2021 accident in which a tractor-trailer set off a six-vehicle pileup with fatalities. The jury found the broker, carrier, and driver all responsible, with the largest share of liability potentially falling on the broker. C.H. Robinson has announced it will appeal.
This verdict lands directly on top of the Supreme Court’s Montgomery v. Caribe Transport ruling covered in our May briefing, which established that negligent hiring claims against freight brokers are not federally preempted. The industry is now seeing what that ruling looks like in dollar terms.
The response from industry groups has been consistent. FMCSA needs to establish clearer standards for what constitutes adequate carrier vetting, make at-risk carrier information more accessible, and raise the bar for entry into the market. Expect this pressure to intensify as the appeal plays out.
For motor carriers, the message is the same as last month. Documented, proactive safety and compliance programs are now a business development asset. Brokers under liability pressure will increasingly route freight toward carriers they can defend having selected.
SAFE Act 2026: How the New Senate Bill Targets Chameleon Carriers and Freight Fraud
U.S. Senators introduced the Safety and Accountability in Freight Enforcement (SAFE) Act, a companion to a House bill introduced earlier this year. The bill takes direct aim at chameleon carriers, defined as motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, or related businesses that reincorporate under a new name to evade FMCSA regulations and enforcement history. More details via Transport Topics and CCJ.
Key provisions of the bill:
- Automated risk screening tools to identify carrier reincorporation patterns
- A crash impact study to quantify the safety and economic cost of chameleon carrier activity
- Enhanced interagency data sharing to connect the dots across enforcement databases
- Structured audits and an appeals process for carriers flagged by the system
The bill hasn’t passed yet, but its introduction in both chambers signals real legislative momentum. Carriers with clean records benefit from this kind of enforcement rigor — it raises the floor for everyone operating legitimately.
Staged Accident Fraud Prevention Act: Making CMV Crash Staging a Federal Crime
The Senate introduced the Staged Accident Fraud Prevention Act, which would make it a federal crime to intentionally stage an accident involving a CMV. The bill would extend penalties not just to the individuals staging crashes, but to attorneys, physicians, and others who participate in or facilitate the fraud. FleetOwner has additional details.
Staged crashes are a persistent cost driver for carriers through inflated insurance claims and litigation. Federal criminalization would give enforcement agencies a tool that currently doesn’t exist at that level. Worth following as it moves through committee.
DOT’s Freedom Haulers Program: How Veterans Can Fast-Track a CDL
The Trump administration has announced Freedom Haulers, a DOT campaign to attract military veterans into trucking careers. The proposal would allow veterans who have driven heavy trucks in the military to skip the CDL skills test, though the written exam would still be required.
This is not yet a formal regulation. But DOT has launched a dedicated site at freedomhaulers.dot.gov, and DMV Prep has announced free written test preparation for transitioning military veterans.
For carriers actively recruiting, this is worth watching. A streamlined pathway for veterans who already have heavy vehicle experience addresses a real bottleneck in the hiring process, and veterans have historically shown strong retention in trucking roles.
Federal CDL School Fraud Investigation: DOT and DHS Target 75 Training Programs
DOT has announced it will partner with the Department of Homeland Security to investigate 75 entry-level driver training schools suspected of fraud. Allegations include improper driver certifications, falsified training records, and failure to adequately train CDL applicants.
This follows the Texas AG investigation covered in our May briefing and signals a coordinated federal push on CDL school integrity. If your hiring process relies on recent CDL grads from training programs, verify their credentials independently. A driver whose CDL was improperly issued creates liability exposure you didn’t sign up for.
Idaho CMV Speed Limit Change: Heavy Trucks Now Match Passenger Vehicle Limits
Effective July 1, Idaho removed the requirement for vehicles over 26,000 lbs. to travel 10 mph below the posted speed limit. Heavy CMVs can now travel the same speed as all other vehicles on Idaho roads.
Company-mandated speed policies still apply regardless of state law. Update driver communications if Idaho is a regular corridor for your fleet.
Gordie Howe Bridge Now Open: New Cross-Border Route for U.S.–Canada Freight
The Gordie Howe International Bridge officially opened July 27, linking I-75 in Detroit directly to Highway 401 in Ontario. It’s the longest cable-stayed span in North America and includes brand-new ports of entry on both sides — described as among the most advanced land border crossings on the continent.
For carriers running cross-border freight between the U.S. Midwest and Ontario, this is a significant operational upgrade. The new route eliminates the Windsor city street detour that has been a friction point for international truck traffic for years. Evaluate whether the new crossing improves your border routing and update your navigation and compliance documentation accordingly.
FMCSA Revokes 10 ELDs in July 2026: Is Your Device on the List?
FMCSA revoked ten ELDs this month. Carriers using any of the affected devices must:
- Immediately revert to paper logs or compliant logging software for HOS recording
- Replace the revoked device with one from FMCSA’s Registered Devices list within 60 days — by September 8
Action item: Check the FMCSA ELD News and Events page now. Ten revocations in a single action is unusually broad. If you’re affected and miss the September 8 deadline, you’re looking at an out-of-service violation at the next roadside inspection.
FMCSA Technical Corrections Rule: Key Regulatory Changes Effective July 21, 2026
FMCSA published a final rule making technical corrections and minor amendments effective July 21, 2026. Most are clarifying language changes that don’t alter compliance obligations. Three are worth flagging:
- Part 396.3(b)(1): The requirement to list tire size on company vehicle records is removed. All other vehicle record requirements remain.
- CMV definition clarified: A vehicle qualifies as a CMV based on its GVWR of 10,001 lbs. or more, regardless of actual weight at any given time.
- Part 387.7 clarified to read “in bulk” to improve consistency in insurance requirements language.
- New paragraphs added to Part 397.307 establishing specific requirements for immediate suspension of broker and freight forwarder operating authority.
If you plan to petition for reconsideration of anything in this rule, the deadline is August 20, 2026.
FMCSA HOS Emergency Relief: Active Waivers for Wildfire and Flood Response
FMCSA extended emergency HOS relief declarations for drivers providing direct assistance with:
- Wildfire suppression in Oregon and Nebraska — relief expires August 12
- Flood relief in Texas — relief expires August 11
Relief applies only to direct emergency assistance, not routine deliveries, mixed loads, or long-term infrastructure rehabilitation after the immediate threat has passed. When the emergency assignment ends, standard HOS rules resume immediately.
FMCSA Proposes Renewal of Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance Record Requirements
FMCSA published an NPRM to renew the Information Collection Request covering inspection, repair, and maintenance records under 49 CFR Part 396. This is a routine renewal. No new requirements are being proposed. It does serve as a reminder that these records must be retained and available for FMCSA verification.
Comments due: September 14, 2026 — Regulations.gov, Docket FMCSA-2026-1553
New FMCSA Safety Resources: Safe Speed and Work Zone Campaigns
FMCSA released updated outreach materials for two active campaigns:
- Safe Speed Campaign: Visor cards, tip sheets, and talking points for CMV operators.
- Work Zone and Distraction: Updated education and enforcement resources covering distracted driving and work zone safety.
Both sets of materials are free and suitable for driver safety meetings, onboarding, and bulletin boards. Using agency-provided resources also demonstrates a documented safety program effort, relevant context given the current liability environment.
EPA’s “Freedom to Fix” Guidance: What Fleet Operators Can Now Do for Vehicle Repairs
The EPA issued guidance clarifying that under the Clean Air Act, vehicle manufacturers must provide service and repair information to all repair facilities, not just branded dealerships and authorized service centers. This includes information on Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) systems and other environmental controls.
Key points from the guidance:
- Temporary system overrides are permitted for the purpose of repair. More detail on the Freedom to Fix guidance page.
- Manufacturers cannot require branded parts for repairs. Generic, equivalent parts are allowed — though if non-certified parts are used, CAA warranty protections do not apply.
For fleet maintenance operations, this opens up more competitive repair options and could meaningfully reduce downtime if your nearest branded service center isn’t nearby. The ATRI benchmarking data this month showed repairs and maintenance costs up 8.6% in 2025 — more repair options mean more pricing leverage.
EPA Authorizes SEMA to Certify Aftermarket Products Under the Clean Air Act
The EPA has granted SEMA authority to certify aftermarket products as compliant with the Clean Air Act, an alternative to the CARB certification process. SEMA’s Certified Emissions Program can now be used to demonstrate federal compliance.
The stated goal is a faster certification pathway for smaller businesses. For fleets evaluating aftermarket equipment modifications, this expands the pool of certifiable products.
EPA NOx Standards 2026: Proposed Changes to MY 2027+ Heavy-Duty Engine Compliance
EPA published an NPRM proposing amendments to compliance provisions and test procedures for model year 2027 and later heavy-duty engines. The proposed changes roll back or delay several elements of the 2023 Final Rule:
- Emission-related warranty periods for MY 2027+ engines would revert to pre-2027 values
- Useful life period implementation delayed from MY 2027 to MY 2030
- Manufacturers may continue producing up to 5% of U.S.-directed production compliant with pre-2027 requirements, without the NOx credit requirement
- Engine performance derates for SCR-related inducements would be replaced with visible and/or audible notifications
If your fleet is in the middle of equipment purchasing decisions for 2027 model year vehicles, this NPRM is directly relevant. The comment period closes August 29.
Comments due: August 29, 2026 — Regulations.gov, Docket EPA-HQ-OAR-2026-0728
Revised Federal Custody and Control Form 2026: DOT Drug Testing Transition Deadline
HHS posted the revised 2026 Federal Custody and Control Form (CCF) for DOT-regulated drug testing. DOT-regulated employers and service agents may continue using the current form through May 31, 2027. After that date, using the old form requires a memorandum for the record (MFR) under §40.205(b)(2). A copy of the new form is available via SAMHSA.
Notable changes to the new form: drug analyte checkboxes removed from Step 1F, the split specimen device expiration date field repositioned, and contact fields in Step 5 consolidated and reorganized.
Action item: Alert your third-party administrators and collection sites now so they have time to transition before the May 2027 cutoff. Don’t let a form version mismatch create a testing compliance issue.
Federal Truck Parking Grants 2026: $61.7 Million Awarded Across Four States
DOT awarded $61.7 million in BUILD program grants for truck parking expansion across four states: Illinois ($13.2M), Kentucky ($25M), Mississippi ($22.1M), and Wyoming ($1.4M). Separately, Florida is expanding parking along the I-4 corridor using a $180 million federal grant, adding over 900 spots across five sites, with three sites targeted for completion in mid-2027.
Driver detention averaged 1 hour and 49 minutes per stop in 2025 according to ATRI’s benchmarking report released this month. Parking scarcity contributes to detention time. These grants won’t solve the problem, but they’re movement in the right direction for routes through those corridors.
ATRI 2026 Trucking Cost Report: Operating Costs Hit Record $2.336 Per Mile
ATRI’s 2026 benchmarking report puts the average cost to operate a CMV at $2.336 per mile — a 3.4% increase, or 7.6 cents per mile over 2024. The biggest cost drivers:
- Tolls: up 13.2%
- Repairs and maintenance: up 8.6%
- Driver benefits: up 6.6%
- Tires: up 6.4%
Contributing factors include aging equipment, market stagnation leaving an average of 10% of trucks sitting unused, and driver detention averaging 1 hour 49 minutes per stop. If you’re benchmarking your own cost per mile, this is your baseline.
CVSA Brake Safety Week 2026: What Inspectors Are Looking For (August 23–29)
CVSA’s annual Brake Safety Week runs August 23–29, with inspectors across Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. focusing on brake systems and components — with specific emphasis on drums and rotors this year. A focus area resource flyer is available in English, Spanish, and French on the CVSA website.
The unannounced Brake Safety Day in April found 85.7% of vehicles had no brake-related out-of-service violations. That’s a solid industry baseline, but the annual campaign will be broader in scope. Get inspections done before the end of August, not after.
Human Trafficking Awareness for Transportation Employees: Signs to Watch For
FTA is reminding transportation employees to stay alert for signs of human trafficking, particularly during summer travel season. DOT’s full indicator list is on their website, but the key behavioral signals to watch for:
- Person not in control of their own money, travel documents, or phone
- Controlled by or unusually submissive to a travel companion
- Not permitted to speak for themselves
- Unaware of their route or location
Suspected trafficking can be reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Additional resources for transit and transportation employees are on the FTA website.
Canada Federal Fuel Excise Tax Suspension Ending September 7, 2026
The Canadian federal government suspended federal excise taxes on fuel as of April 2026. That suspension expires September 7, 2026. Carriers running cross-border routes into Canada should account for the return of those taxes in routing and fuel cost projections after that date.
A note worth mentioning: 93-year-old Orrin Asmus has been driving semis for over 70 years and is being considered for the Guinness World Record as the oldest living CDL driver. He’s driven more than 5 million miles across 48 states since his first livestock haul in the 1950s. In a month full of regulatory complexity, it’s worth pausing to appreciate what that kind of career represents.
Upcoming Deadlines at a Glance
| Date | Item |
| Aug. 11 | FMCSA HOS emergency relief expires — Texas (wildfire/flood) |
| Aug. 12 | FMCSA HOS emergency relief expires — Oregon & Nebraska (wildfire) |
| Aug. 20 | Deadline to petition for reconsideration of FMCSA technical corrections rule |
| Aug. 23–29 | CVSA Annual Brake Safety Week (drums, rotors, brake systems) |
| Aug. 29 | Comments due on EPA NOx standards NPRM (Docket EPA-HQ-OAR-2026-0728) |
| Sept. 7 | Canadian federal fuel excise tax suspension ends |
| Sept. 8 | Deadline to replace 10 newly revoked ELDs (60-day window) |
| Sept. 13–19 | National Truck Driver Appreciation Week |
| Sept. 14 | Comments due on FMCSA inspection, repair & maintenance ICR renewal (Docket FMCSA-2026-1553) |
| May 31, 2027 | Deadline to transition to revised 2026 Federal Custody and Control Form (CCF) |
Lori Johnson is a compliance expert at Fleetworthy, where she monitors regulatory developments across FMCSA, DOT, CVSA, EPA, and state agencies. This briefing is published monthly to help fleet operators stay ahead of changes that affect their business.
Have a compliance question or topic you’d like covered? Contact us at fleetworthy.com.