Package includes millions to expand truck parking, removing one-size-fits-all mandates, modernizing driver resources, and slashing red tape
WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy today unveiled a package of new initiatives, pilot programs, and regulatory updates designed to improve the lives of America’s truck drivers. The Secretary’s actions deliver on President Donald Trump’s promise through his Executive Order on Enforcing Commonsense Rules of the Road for America’s Truck Drivers.
The package includes millions to expand truck parking as well as initiatives to remove one-size-fits-all mandates, modernize driver resources, slash red tape, and crack down on bad actors. A more detailed breakdown on the package can be found here .
“Truckers keep America running. While the country sleeps, truckers grind through the night to help keep shelves stocked, families fed, and businesses humming. It’s a job that requires grit and dedication. But for too long Washington, DC has made work harder for truckers. That ends today. Thanks to President Trump, we’re getting Washington out of your trucks and your business,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy.
Specific to truck parking, USDOT is set to deliver more than $275 million in grant funding to expand parking access for truck drivers nationwide – an investment which will enhance safety and improve quality of life for truckers. This includes $180 million for Florida to add 917 new truck parking spaces along the I-4 corridor in Volusia, Seminole, and Osceola Counties.
“The trucking industry is a critical link in our supply chain and ample truck parking infrastructure is vital to the safety, security, and quality of life for Florida residents,” said Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E. “Florida is one of the first states to create a robust pipeline of truck parking projects to address both immediate and future needs, and this grant from USDOT will help deliver nearly 1,000 additional truck parking spaces to serve Central Florida communities.”
Trucking groups have applauded Secretary Duffy’s package and President Trump’s leadership as a major step in the right direction:
“We thank the Trump Administration and Secretary Duffy for their continued focus on the issues impacting America’s trucking industry. As the leading mover of the nation’s freight, the concerns of our industry not only impact the 8.5 million Americans who work throughout trucking, but they also affect the countless businesses and families we serve across the country. A safe and strong trucking industry is critical to America’s economic growth and security, and data-driven measures like these that reduce regulatory burdens are important steps toward that end. We look forward to continued partnership with the Administration to advance policies that strengthen America’s supply chain and bolster our essential workforce,” said President and CEO of American Trucking Associations Chris Spear.
“OOIDA and the 150,000 truckers we proudly represent welcome these transformational actions from President Trump and Secretary Duffy. These steps not only improve the daily lives of truckers across America, but also enhance safety for everyone on the road. For years, truckers have urged Washington to address the severe shortage of truck parking, eliminate the dangers posed by a national speed limiter mandate, and give drivers greater control over their hours-of-service. We thank President Trump and Secretary Duffy for listening to the men and women behind the wheel who keep America’s economy moving,” said President and CEO of Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association Todd Spencer.
Key actions within the package include:
- Expand Truck Parking
- Problem: 40% of truckers spend over an hour a day searching for parking – costing our national economy billions in wasted time. It’s also a safety issue – forcing truckers to park in harms way.
- Solution: USDOT is advancing more than $275 million in funding to expand truck parking availability and opening up additional grant programs and discretionary grants for truck parking projects.
- Remove One-Size-Fits-All-Mandates
- Problem: Mandating speed limiters on heavy-duty trucks isn’t just an inconvenience – it is a safety hazard when drivers are forced to go slower than the flow of traffic.
- Solution: USDOT is withdrawing the proposed rulemaking to mandate speed limiters so professional drivers can operate their vehicles safely.
- Modernize Driver Resources
- Problem: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) online tools are outdated and a pain to use.
- Solution: FMCSA is launching new digital assets that are more user-friendly, modernizing the Consumer Complaint database, and updating the DataQ system so it is more transparent.
- Slash Red Tape & Crack Down on Bad Actors
- Problem: Burdensome regulations make it harder for truckers to do their job while failing to go after bad actors.
- Solution: FMCSA is proposing to eliminate 1,800 words from federal regulations, which will save truckers time and money. Concurrently, the agency has renewed its focus on unlawful double brokering-a practice that directly harms drivers.
These actions are one of many initiatives Secretary Duffy has launched to support America’s truckers and improve safety on our nation’s roadways.
In May , Secretary Duffy signed an order announcing new guidance to enforce English proficiency requirement for truckers.