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News articles earlier this year about driverless trucks operating in Nevada and the Alberta oil sands under restricted conditions set off speculation about whether we’ll need truck drivers within a few decades — and whether autonomous vehicles are an answer to the driver shortage.

Because safety is the top priority for motor carriers, running a safe freight transportation operation requires thorough knowledge and understanding of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s regulations.

Exit planning in trucking is unique for a variety of reasons. Add a family-owned business to the mix and things get complicated, especially in the current transaction market.

According to the law of unintended consequences, the actions of people always have effects that are not anticipated. This idea manifests itself in all sorts of areas but has a significant impact in the realm of legislation and regulation.

Since its inception, MAP-21 has allowed the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to play fast and loose with its enforcement of regulations involving brokers — particularly when it comes to double brokering.

This year, the freight movement sector will be facing the development of new emissions rules affecting trucking, warehousing and distribution centers in California.

For many years now, diesel engine manufacturers have continued to allude to equipment buyers about avoiding the use of diesel fuel additives. This position is expected, given the fact that engine manufacturers warranty the new equipment and its viability for extended periods of time after the purchase.

Imagine pulling up to a bridge that you previously used but now is closed to you because of weight restrictions. What will you have to do to get to your destination? Well, that is exactly the kind of scenario that happened to me just last year.    

This Opinion piece appears in the July 13 print edition of Transport Topics. Click here to subscribe today.

In the aftermath of the 2013 broker bond increase, some questions remain, such as whether the increase had the intended effect of “fighting fraud” and whether the bad brokers really were chased out of the industry.