Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026:
Ethanol, heating oil added to FMCSA’s nationwide HOS waiver
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration amended its 90-day hours-of-service waiver that gives certain interstate fuel haulers more flexibility.
FMCSA first issued the waiver Sept. 16, covering drivers and motor carriers transporting gasoline and diesel fuel through Dec. 16. It exempts drivers from 49 CFR 395.3 (maximum driving time for property-carrying vehicles).
On Oct. 15, the agency issued an amendment to the waiver that adds ethanol and denatured ethanol to the covered commodities. Motor carriers and drivers can also operate under the waiver when transporting heating oil as part of a compartmentalized load with one or more of the four fuel products covered by this waiver, provided that the volume of heating oil being transported in a single, compartmentalized cargo tank truck load, at the time of loading, is not more than 75% of the total shipment.
As previously reported, terms of the waiver include:
- A driver cannot drive more than 16 hours in any 24-hour period.
- The driver must take a minimum of a 6-consecutive-hour break in the sleeper berth in each 24-hour period. If there is no sleeper berth, the driver must take a minimum 8-consecutive-hour off-duty break in each 24-hour period.
- Drivers must maintain a valid CDL for the transportation being conducted with all necessary endorsements and not be subject to an out-of-service order, disqualification, or loss of driving privileges
- Drivers must keep a physical or digital copy of the waiver in their possession when operating under it and present it to law enforcement upon request.
- Motor carriers with a conditional safety rating are not eligible for the relief granted by the waiver.
- At any time, if a driver informs their motor carrier that he or she needs immediate rest, the driver must be permitted immediately to find a suitable, safe resting location and allowed at least 10 consecutive hours off duty before resuming driving.
[Related: FMCSA waives HOS regs for gas, diesel haulers]
Alleged cargo thief charged for involvement in $12M worth of thefts
An Uzbekistan national has been charged in Connecticut for his alleged involvement in the theft of numerous cargo shipments.
Nursulton Izzatulloevich Khaydarov, 33, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., allegedly had a valid New Jersey commercial driver’s license, as well as several fraudulent driver’s licenses in the names of “Sayid Makhmudarov,” “Rustam Mavlonov,” “Dmitri Aganin,” “Roman Smirov,” and “Kairat Nurtas.” The licenses depicted a photograph of Khaydarov, but with altered facial features.
The Homeland Security Task Force has been investigating numerous trucking cargo thefts from locations in California and elsewhere, finding that since approximately September 2025, Khaydarov and others involved in the scheme purchased or otherwise assumed control of multiple motor carrier companies, including their U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) numbers, motor carrier identification numbers, business email accounts, and the identities of their owners.
They then posed as the previous business owner and exploited the reputation and trust of an established business to obtain contracts for interstate shipments. Once they negotiated a contract with a freight broker for an interstate shipment, a driver picked up the shipment from the distribution location. However, the load did not make it to its intended destination and was subsequently reported stolen. At times, co-conspirators made ransom demands for the return of the stolen load.
[Related: Owner-op jailed after unwitting participation in cargo theft: Cautionary tale, mitigating risk]
It’s also alleged that the conspiracy has involved thefts of a least 24 loads containing hard drives, stereo equipment, clothing, electronics, computer equipment, food items, nicotine products, and other goods. To date, the estimated retail value of the stolen products of the cargo thefts Khaydarov was personally involved in is more than $12 million.
Khaydarov was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on June 1 in Ontario, California. On Sept. 22, a federal grand jury in New Haven, Connecticut, returned an indictment charging Khaydarov with conspiracy, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.
Khaydarov appeared on Oct. 21 in Bridgeport federal court and pleaded not guilty to the charge. He has been detained since his arrest.
[Related: Two cargo thieves face prison]
TCA accepting Driver of the Year nominations
The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) is accepting nominations for its 2027 TCA Professional Drivers of the Year program through Dec. 4.
Produced by TCA and sponsored by Love’s Travel Stops and Cummins Inc., the program honors five professional truck drivers who exemplify excellence in safety, professionalism, leadership, and community involvement. Each selected driver will receive a $20,000 cash prize and will be recognized at TCA’s 2027 Annual Convention, Feb. 28-March 3, 2027, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
To be eligible, nominees must be employed by a TCA carrier member company and nominated by their employer. Candidates should demonstrate an outstanding commitment to safe driving, leadership within their organization, service to their community, and a positive impact on the trucking industry, TCA said.
More information about the TCA Professional Drivers of the Year program, including eligibility requirements and nomination guidelines, and the submission form, can be found here.
[Related: Make a bill, pay the bill: Owner-ops ‘only as good as their word’ trucking OTR]
