This week on the Oakley Podcast, Jeremy Kellett sits down with OOIDA’s Lewie Pugh to unpack several key issues affecting truckers today, including the Freedom Haulers initiative that helps military veterans transition into civilian trucking by waiving certain CDL tests, and why carriers still need to provide extra training and support so veterans don’t get caught in industry churn. They dig into Delilah’s Law and related DOT rule changes on English proficiency and non-domiciled CDLs, stressing the need for drivers to contact lawmakers to get these protections codified. Lewie updates listeners on broker transparency efforts, widespread fraud, and why building direct shipper relationships matters more than ever. They also cover the national truck parking shortage, new funding and expansion projects (like on I‑70 and in Illinois), and how future highway bills could add more free parking capacity. Finally, they discuss the sting of surging fuel prices, the importance of solid fuel surcharge structures and discounts (including OOIDA’s fuel card), and the broader mission of OOIDA to advocate for drivers, lower turnover, and keep small trucking businesses alive.
Key topics in today’s conversation include:
- Value Of a Good Shop and Long-Term Maintenance Relationships (3:17)
- Freedom Haulers Event at the White House and Veteran CDL Waivers (7:54)
- Extra Training Needed When Veterans Transition To Civilian Trucking (11:12)
- Delilah’s Law, English Proficiency, and Non-Domiciled CDL Crackdown (15:24)
- Detention Time, Shippers, Receivers, and Loading Inefficiencies (18:27)
- Broker Transparency, Fraud, Motus Issues, and Safety Concerns (23:11)
- Illinois Rest Area Projects and Upcoming Federal Parking Funds (27:54)
- Mental and Physical Toll of Trucking and Daily Frustrations (33:18)
- Oakley’s Fuel Surcharge Structure and Fuel Discount Strategy (38:03)
- OOIDA Fuel Card, Multiple Discount Cards, and Controlling Costs (39:44)
- Truck Driver Appreciation Week and Long Beach IANA Event (43:45)
- How To Join OOIDA, Membership Code, and Key Member Benefits (44:59)
- Closing Thoughts and Final Thanks to Drivers (48:15)
Oakley Trucking is a family-owned and operated trucking company headquartered in North Little Rock, Arkansas. For more information, check out our show website: podcast.bruceoakley.com.