HDT’s Monthly News Roundup: February 2026

February is generally when the new year finds its footing.

And so far, 2026 is shaping up to be just as weird as 2025 was.

Down here in Alabama, my peach and plum trees have bloomed.

It’s too early, if you ask me. I feel like there’s at least one more freeze lurking out there, somewhere. But then again, these aren’t the brightest trees I’ve ever seen.

Moving out of my backyard and looking at the wider world, there are some hopeful signs that the freight market might finally be shaking off the cobwebs that have kept it mired down for years, now.

On the other hand, we’ve gone to war with Iran since I typed that sentence up above. And that’s probably not going to be a good thing for fuel prices in the near-term – no matter how “well” this war goes.

So, as usual, we start March with plenty of additional chaos and uncertainty in the trucking industry in general.

Last month, most of it stemmed from the Trump administration’s attempts to purge the industry of undocumented workers and drivers.

Not to mention tossing hand grenades at various emissions regulations whenever they can.

A lot of these moves are highly popular in the industry. There’s no doubt about that. But they do all add another layer of disruption and complexity to the controlled chaos that is the trucking industry.

But overall, I’d say February delivered mostly good news if you’re moving freight in the United States.

Let’s dive in and take a deeper look, shall we?

Trucking Conditions Finally Show Signs of Life

We might as well start with the State of Freight. Since that’s the No. 1 topic dominating the industry these days.

And, as I said, at long last, there are some stirrings — faint whispers, if you will – that things might be getting better.

The first reference came from FTR & Associates early in the month, when my old boss Avery Vise noted that positive economic signals from various sectors in the industry are starting to gain strength.

That sentiment was echoed by a TruckStop.com industry survey as well. This study found that while the freight market is still under considerable pressure, optimism in the industry is on the rebound based on early signs of stabilization and improvement.

And at the launch of Detroit’s new Gen 6 heavy-duty diesel engines (more on that below) Daimler Truck North America vice president David Carson said he thinks things are on the upswing, as well.

Carson noted that he sees early signs of tightening capacity. But he noted, fleets remain wary and want to make sure any recovery is real before committing to new truck purchases.

Meanwhile, another FTR & Associates study – this time looking at the North America trailer market – found that trailer orders are holding steady so far this year.

Detroit Bets on Evolution for its Gen 6 Diesel Engines

On President’s Day, I jetted on up to Motown to attend the first big equipment launch of the year.

Daimler Truck North America hosted a press conference at its historic Detroit manufacturing campus in Redford, Michigan. And lots of familiar folks from Daimler were on hand to walk us through the new DD13, DD15 and DD16 diesel engines.

If you run these engines, then you’ll be pleased to know that Detroit made only evolutionary changes to bring them into compliance with 2025 emissions regulations.

These are the cleanest diesel engines in Daimler’s history. But, the OEM stressed, fleets and technicians will find the overall design and packaging of the new engines strikingly familiar.

Heads-Up on International Roadcheck 2026

International Roadcheck’s 72-hour enforcement blitz will run from May 12 to 14 this year.

And law officers are going to be hyper-focused on ELD tampering and cargo securement.

Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

When it comes to AI – You Either Adapt or Die

Geotab Connect is another early-in-the-year industry event. And this year, the main topic of discussion was artificial intelligence, which is pushing its way into pretty much every aspect of our lives.

As such, it’s increasingly important to understand how AI works as fleets make sense of this all-encompassing new technology.

And this year, Neil Cawse, founder and CEO of Geotab, was blunt. He told attendees that while many fleets feel “overwhelmed” by AI – they have no choice in the matter. You must adapt to this new technology, he warned. Or get left behind.

Trump’s Trucking Crackdown Continues

As noted, the Trump administration is paying a lot of attention to the U.S. trucking industry these days. But not without some pushback, it must be said.

California, for example, announced that its Clean Truck Check rules are still in effect for out-of-state trucks. And the EPA can pretty much go pound sand on that one, as far as it’s concerned.

The Death of Diesel Derates?

Is there any event in modern trucking more thoroughly loathed than the dreaded diesel derate? That moment when a truck’s onboard computer realizes there’s no diesel exhaust fluid in the tank and de-rates the engine to “limp” mode until it gets topped off again?

Well, if you hate diesel derates (and who doesn’t?), the EPA is interested in your opinion: They kicked off February by asking the industry to tell them what you think when it comes to derates and if there might be a better solution out there.

FMCSA Closes Non-Domiciled CDL Loopholes

The status of non-domiciled CDL holders has been up in the air since last Fall, when FMCSA passed an emergency rule limiting eligibility to individuals on H-2A, H-2B, or E-2 visas.

Now the agency has finalized the rule, which it said goes into effect with only minor changes from the initial injunction put in place last September.

“Sham” CDL School Shutdown

CDL mills have been a long-time thorn in the trucking industry.

Now, the FMCSA is going after schools with unqualified instructors, improper training vehicles, and failing to meet federal and state requirements.

Some Good News for Owner-Operators

Trucking is still an industry where a young person can roll up their sleeves and build up their own business from scratch.

And right at the end of the month, the U.S. Department of Labor has announced it is considering rescinding the unpopular 2024 independent contractor rule implemented during the Biden administration.

It’s a move supporters say would bring more clarity to how owner-operators are classified under federal wage and hour law.

Take a Sneak-Peek at the Future of Commercial Vehicles

If you’re an executive or an engineer at a truck OEM, or you spec and purchases trucks, then you really ought to invest a half hour in this video for an idea of what the future is going to bring.

I watch Doug DeMuro from time to time. He generally focuses on vintage American cars. But his look at Rivian’s Amazon delivery van is pretty fascinating.
I’ve been saying for years that Amazon is the elephant in the room when it comes to the future of trucking.

And seeing some of the innovative, forward-thinking things they’ve done with the design of this delivery van makes me even more certain of that. Not just some of the things they’re doing with the van. But, just as importantly, some of the things they’re not doing with the van.

130 Years of Daimler Trucks

Let’s head out the door with this incredible collection of vintage trucks courtesy of the stunning Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany.

Daimler Trucks put out this incredible photo gallery in mid-February.

Which builds on the photos I took during my own (far too brief) visit last Fall.

Until next month – Hold ‘em in the road!