Trucking with OOIDA

FMCSA is rolling out a new registration platform called Motus – and if you’ve got a USDOT Number or USDOT Number and Operating Authority, you’ve got a few more days to log in before the new system launches. Julie Otto of FMCSA’s office of registration stops in to explain why the new system should be a big improvement on the old one and what you need to do before May 14.Motus login: https://motus.dot.gov/Motus details: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/newsroom/important-steps-you-must-take-prepare-fmcsas-new-registration-systemMore info from Land Line Media: https://landline.media/motus-is-coming-are-you-ready/

A lot of what OOIDA does happens behind the scenes. Case in point: ongoing efforts in Texas to make intersections safer via roundabouts and “innovative intersections.” Generally speaking, those conversations didn’t include the input of truckers in the past – but the Texas DOT is making sure to get that input now. Amanda Austin and Adam Hammons of TxDOT explain what they’re working on, while OOIDA executive vice president Lewie Pugh and OOIDA board member Ken Becker explain how they’re making sure truckers have a voice at the table. Oh, and ever had the urge to hunt rattlesnakes? Then Ken’s your guy. He’s been doing it for decades and makes the case to a very reluctant Ashley. Join or renew with the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association and use code PODCAST25 for a discounted membership: https://www.ooida.com/membership/Tired of watching your rights eroded: https://fightingfortruckers.com/Subscribe for FREE to Land Line Magazine (online or print): https://landline.media/subscribe/

In the fight against human trafficking, truckers have the means to be frontline heroes. All it takes is a little training followed by action, as Bob Bramwell found out one fateful Christmas Eve. He now uses that experience to encourage others truck drivers to prepare so they’re ready to step up when needed. Plus, Jacob Kirkman of Inland Kenworth is in on the fight too. He explains how they’re using a mixture of TAT training and generosity to fight back against human trafficking nationwide.TAT (Truckers Against Trafficking): https://tatnonprofit.org/National Human Trafficking Hotline: 888-373-7888. If you suspect human trafficking, or if a crime is in progress, call 911 first, then contact the hotline. Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.Join or renew with the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association and use code PODCAST25 for a discounted membership: https://www.ooida.com/membership/Tired of watching your rights eroded: https://fightingfortruckers.com/Subscribe for FREE to Land Line Magazine (online or print): https://landline.media/subscribe/

LJ Lowrey spends his time on Planet Earth as a truck driver, but his voice is living at a much higher altitude. The OOIDA member has embraced amateur radio as a hobby, one that keeps him busy on and off the road. Plus, they say there are two certainties in life. We can’t do much to help with one of them, but we can help when it comes to taxes thanks to Barry Fowler of Trucker Tax Tools, who has some sound advice that can help you all year round.Join the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association: https://www.ooida.com/membership/Tired of watching your rights eroded: https://fightingfortruckers.com/Subscribe for FREE to Land Line Magazine (online or print): https://landline.media/subscribe/

What better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than to take a trip to Ireland for a talk with Ger Hyland, president of the Irish Road Haulage Association, which was founded the same year OOIDA was: 1973. We get the inside scoop on the St. Patrick’s Day holiday from an Irishman’s point of view, and discover that Irish lorry drivers are facing many of the same challenges North American truckers face.https://www.irha.ie/Join the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association: https://www.ooida.com/membership/Tired of watching your rights eroded: https://fightingfortruckers.com/Subscribe for FREE to Land Line Magazine (online or print): https://landline.media/subscribe/

When it comes to fishing, there’s not really a right way or wrong way to go about it if you subscribe to the notion that there’s no such thing as a bad day fishing. But if you’re a bit more serious about the craft, science can help. Lifelong friends Corbin Healy and Sam Huckabee are in that latter group. Over time, they realized they wanted answers to questions that would yield more largemouth bass. Why are they biting this and not that? Does bait color matter? How about the phase of the moon? These are among the questions Corbin and Sam dive into on their podcast, Science of the Strike – and today, they answer ours about how they got started. Then, Marty Ellis pops in to discuss what keeps him occupied when he’s touring the country in the OOIDA tour truck.Science of the Strike: https://www.youtube.com/@ScienceoftheStrikeOOIDA Tour Truck Schedule: https://www.ooida.com/ooida-tour-truck/Join the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association: https://www.ooida.com/membership/Tired of watching your rights eroded: https://fightingfortruckers.com/Subscribe for FREE to Land Line Magazine (online or print): https://landline.media/subscribe/

The heyday of Route 66 may be long behind us, but its memory is still going strong for a number of reasons. More than just a road, Route 66 is a symbol of American adventure, history, and culture – a reflection of our growth, struggles, and dreams. In this, the 100th year since it was established, we welcome historian David Dunaway to the show to talk about Route 66’s origin story, its impact on American culture and more, then dive into his newest book dedicated to eyeglasses.Join the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association: https://www.ooida.com/membership/Tired of watching your rights eroded: https://fightingfortruckers.com/Subscribe for FREE to Land Line Magazine (online or print): https://landline.media/subscribe/A Route 66 Companion: https://www.amazon.com/Route-Companion-David-King-Dunaway/dp/0292726600A Four-Eyed World: https://afoureyedworld.com/Across the Tracks: A Route 66 Story:https://route66.unm.edu/OOIDA Foundation Freight Rate Survey: https://ooida.questionpro.com/a/TakeSurvey?tt=xvcsDqGZvVsECHrPeIW9eQ%3D%3DJason’s Law survey: https://tti.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8HVTBNft24a2Rfg

Every now and then, an idea comes along that makes you wonder why it isn’t already being done. The Congressional Trucking Caucus is a prime example. The idea, just now taking shape, will bring together lawmakers on a regular basis to talk over trucking issues – and take action. Rep. David Taylor of Ohio, who’s spearheading the caucus, joins Trucking with OOIDA to discuss how the idea came about, how it’ll work and how you can help shape the steps the caucus takes.Join the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association: https://www.ooida.com/membership/Tired of watching your rights eroded: https://fightingfortruckers.com/Subscribe for FREE to Land Line Magazine (online or print): https://landline.media/subscribe/

If you’re not quite in the Christmas spirit yet, Angela Griffin has the cure. The professional truck driver, who’s gained a following with her Simple Livin’ YouTube channel, has a lot of ideas for making the holidays a bit merrier, even if you’re spending it on the road. Join the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association:https://www.ooida.com/membership/Tired of watching your rights eroded:https://fightingfortruckers.com/Subscribe for FREE to Land Line Magazine (online or print): https://landline.media/subscribe/

OOIDA has been consistent about its stance on non-domiciled CDLs from the jump. The Association believes the program should be completely eliminated – and the Trump Administration and Congress are taking important steps to reign in the program. But meaningful, long-term progress on non-domiciled CDLs is going to take a collective effort, one the Association continues to lead. Lewie Pugh, OOIDA’s executive vice president, and Collin Long, OOIDA director of government affairs join Trucking with OOIDA to set the record straight and issue a call to action.Download a copy of OOIDA's comments to FMCSA about the non-domiciled CDL program: https://www.regulations.gov/comment/FMCSA-2025-0622-8006Join the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association: https://www.ooida.com/membership/Tired of watching your rights eroded: https://fightingfortruckers.com/Subscribe for FREE to Land Line Magazine (online or print): https://landline.media/subscribe/

If you’re going to factor, there are a few things you need to know in advance. Linking up with a factoring company comes with risks, and OOIDA has the receipts and horror stories to prove it. For that reason, the Association tells its members to avoid factoring if they can help it. But OOIDA is also realistic and knows that many people rely on factoring to keep their business running – so if you’re going to factor, Tom Crowley, Jim Jefferson and Trevor Williams have some advice that could save you some sizeable headaches – or even worse.Join the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association: https://www.ooida.com/membership/Tired of watching your rights eroded: https://fightingfortruckers.com/Subscribe for FREE to Land Line Magazine (online or print): https://landline.media/subscribe/

Today we’re talking chips, not micro but of the salty variety. For nearly two centuries people have been enjoying these thin slices of potato. Trucking with OOIDA hosts, Scott and Ashley recently got to talking about this household staple and wondered how this salty snack came to be. They turned to Alan Richer, better known as the Toga Chip Guy. He joins the show to talk about the history of the Saratoga Chip, how it grew in popularity and what it is about this universal snack that as one company coined the phrase, “betcha can’t eat just one”.Join the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association:https://www.ooida.com/membership/Tired of watching your rights eroded:https://fightingfortruckers.com/Subscribe for FREE to Land Line Magazine (online or print): https://landline.media/subscribe/

Living in Hawaii comes with some definite perks – and we’re not going to lie, trucking in Hawaii sounds pretty great, too. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t challenges. Narrow roads. Truck parking problems. And a few more. As the now-former leader of the Hawaii Transportation Association, Kelvin Kohatsu is quite familiar with all the issues drivers face in Hawaii. He shares those with us, along with a driver training program for new truckers that could be a good model for the rest of the country and more.Join the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association: https://www.ooida.com/membership/Tired of watching your rights eroded: https://fightingfortruckers.com/Subscribe for FREE to Land Line Magazine (online or print): https://landline.media/subscribe/