Alan Adler wrote an article in Freight Waves yesterday reporting on the increase in orders for Class 8 trucks.  Class 8 rigs are the other road semi tractors that pull large trailers.  Here is his article:

Preliminary Class 8 truck orders in North America topped 40,000 in October for the first time in two years. Consumer goods demand supported higher freight rates and trucking profits, resulting in robust equipment orders.

In 2019, the Trucking Industry was facing a significant shortage of qualified drivers.  COVID-19 turned the U.S. economy upside down in early 2020 but now things are turning around for the Trucking Industry.  A recent article in Fleet Owner provided some interesting details about the current state of trucking:

As recovery looms, trucking faces driver supply dilemma

Fleet recruiting experts discuss the challenges of finding drivers as the economy improves and how to solve them.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has updated some of the Hours of Service Rules, effective 9/29/2020.  Here is the official FMSCA changes:

CDL Permit Tests now available without delays!

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety has invested significant resources at their exam stations to ramp up access to knowledge testing.  The downtown St. Paul location at 445 Minnesota Street is reported to have the best service at this time.  We have also heard reports of short wait times and good service at the metro exam stations in Eagan, Arden Hills, and Plymouth. 

Job Opportunities for new truck drivers is expanding.  

Our staff at Interstate/Hudson Truck Driving Schools is in constant contact with trucking companies that hire new drivers.  The COVID-19 virus obviously reduced the need for new drivers during the second quarter of 2020.  Now that the economy is opening up again, the freight volume is increasing and as a result the trucking companies are offering positions to drivers new to the industry.

DVS open but experiencing long wait times.

This morning one of our students arrived at the South Metro Exam Station at 7:30 AM (30 minutes before the exam station opened) and was 48th in line for access to a permit test.  He was still waiting at noon.  We will keep an eye on the status of permit tests and provide updates as things change.