FMCSA Cracks Down on CDL Schools in 2025 as Diesel Prices Stay Volatile

Amy Chavez

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December 18, 2025

TFMCSA Removes Thousands of CDL Training Providers

Trucking never slows down, and this week is no exception.

Federal regulators are taking a hard stance on driver training as the FMCSA continues its crackdown on questionable CDL schools. Nearly 3,000 CDL training providers have been removed from the Training Provider Registry (TPR) for failing to meet federal ELDT standards. An additional 4,500 providers have been placed on notice, meaning their approval status is now under review.

This enforcement effort is aimed squarely at eliminating so-called CDL mills — schools accused of selling license eligibility without proper behind-the-wheel training or documentation.

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Episode Highlights

What this means for small carriers

If you’re hiring drivers or onboarding recent graduates, this matters more than ever. Hiring a driver trained at a school that’s been removed from the FMCSA registry can expose your business to compliance issues, insurance problems, and liability risks.

Before bringing on a new driver, carriers should:

Verify the CDL training provider in the FMCSA Training Provider Registry
Ask for clear documentation of ELDT completion
Avoid rushing hires without checking compliance history

Carriers with clean records and properly trained drivers are increasingly being prioritized by brokers that want to reduce risk.

Diesel Prices: Slight Relief, Still Volatile

Fuel continues to be one of the biggest pressure points for small trucking businesses.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the national average on-highway diesel price is sitting around $3.60 per gallon this week, down from recent highs. While that dip offers some short-term relief, it does not signal a stable downward trend.

Diesel prices remain volatile heading into winter, and sudden spikes are still possible due to weather, refinery activity, and global supply factors.

What this means for your bottom line

Even with a small dip in fuel prices:

Always build fuel buffers into your rate negotiations
Be cautious with long deadhead miles
Prioritize loads that reduce empty miles
Track cost per mile weekly, not monthly

Fuel volatility is one of the biggest reasons small carriers struggle to stay profitable during slower freight cycles.

If you want consistent market context like this each week, our This Week In Trucking newsletter breaks down fuel trends, hot freight lanes by equipment type, and broker alerts — so you’re not reacting blindly to the market.

Why Compliance and Cash Flow Matter More Than Ever

Between tighter oversight of CDL schools and fluctuating diesel prices, the market is shifting toward carriers that are:

Fully compliant
Well documented
Financially prepared

As brokers become more selective to avoid liability, carriers with clean compliance histories may see fewer opportunities — but higher-quality ones.

This is where cash-flow management becomes critical. When fuel prices swing or freight tightens, having predictable cash flow allows carriers to:

Avoid bad loads
Cover fuel and maintenance without delay
Stay selective instead of desperate

That’s why many small carriers use factoring strategically — not as a last resort, but as a tool to stay flexible and in control during uncertain market conditions.

What Small Fleets Should Do Right Now

Double-check CDL training sources for new drivers
Revisit fuel assumptions in rate calculations
Reduce unnecessary deadhead
Track cost per mile consistently
Stay informed on market shifts weekly, not reactively

Staying profitable in late 2025 isn’t about chasing volume — it’s about protecting margins.

Factor Smarter, Grow Stronger

At Bobtail, we help carriers like Golden Key Express stay cash-flow positive with no hidden fees. Get same or next-day payments for the loads you deliver, and free up cash for fuel, insurance, and maintenance — the real costs of scaling a fleet.
Learn more about hassle-free factoring with Bobtail and take control of your business today. Contact us here.

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FAQs

1. What are the current spot market rates in November 2025?

Dry van is around $2.08/mile, reefer around $2.47–$2.52/mile, and flatbed around $2.52/mile, based on publicly available DAT summaries.

2. Why do truck posts increase faster than load posts?

More carriers moved into the spot market, creating extra capacity while freight only rose modestly.

3. How does a truck post increase affect my rates?

More capacity usually means stronger broker leverage and softer rates unless regional demand spikes.

4. Is reefer still expected to tighten before Thanksgiving?

Yes, but the rise in competition may limit how much rates actually climb.

5. What does the Spotter Index tell small carriers?

It highlights where profit-per-hour is highest — often different from where RPM is highest.

6. Why is diesel rising in November?

Tighter inventories and seasonal demand increases.

7. What regions look strongest for dry van this month?

Midwest markets are outperforming national averages based on spot-rate behavior.

8. Where can I get weekly updates on the best markets?

Subscribe to This Week in Trucking’s FREE newsletter for weekly insights on fuel prices, market updates, and interviews with successful carriers who share real strategies that work. Subscribe here.

9. How can owner-operators stay profitable during high competition?

Reduce deadhead, choose stronger regional pockets, negotiate clearly, and track CPM weekly.

10. Should I avoid certain markets this week?

Markets with large jumps in truck posts and slow load growth may offer lower margins.

Full Transcript

Speaker: [00:00:00] From this weekend trucking, this is hot right now and I’m Amy. There has not been too much news these past days on the CDL crackdown and ELP proficiency, but that doesn’t mean things are slowing down for carriers.

Speaker: When regulations stay quiet, The next biggest factor in your profitability is the freight market and diesel prices,

Speaker: and both have shifted again this week.

Speaker: if you’re running under your own authority, these updates will help you know where the money’s at and what places to avoid.

Speaker: But before we get into it, don’t forget to subscribe so you’re never miss an update. Your support helps us keep ringing weekly videos your way.

Speaker: Let’s start with spot market activity compared to the past week, the spot market has picked up. Momentum spot load posts are up by 9% and spot truck posts are up by 18.3%.

Speaker: The jump in truck posts tells us that capacity is loosening.

Speaker: There are more trucks in the market than loads posted, and that usually brings downward pressure in rates. Now let’s break down per equipment type. So let’s start with dry van.

Speaker: Spot rates are [00:01:00] at $2 and 8 cents a mile as of November, 2025, flatbed has a national average of $2 and 48 cents a mile andre first bought rate is at $2 and 52 cents as of November as well.

Speaker: Here’s what this means for you.

Speaker: When truck posts jump faster than load posts, it just means more competition.

Speaker: This means you can expect competition, on load boards, and more negotiation from brokers.

Speaker: Let me know in the comments what you’re seeing in lanes this week. More freight or more competition. Now let’s move to diesel prices. The current national average diesel price is $3 and 86 cents.

Speaker: the current national average on highway diesel price is $8 and 86 cents per gallon. That’s slightly higher than the prior week, and the trend continues upward.

Speaker: with spot rates moving and diesel prices climbing.

Speaker: Keep an eye on these weekly patterns

Speaker: so you can avoid slow lanes and remain profitable through the end of the year.

Speaker: Here’s some tips if you’re running a small fleet. prioritize short haul and regional freight this week.

Speaker: with more trucks chasing freight. long haul lanes, might face [00:02:00] more underbidding.

Speaker: Try to watch the Midwest and the southeast closely historically, according to spotter index patterns,

Speaker: these regions, stabilize faster when capacity rises. They are good hedge markets right now. This is the type of data you would be getting every Monday to your inbox when you subscribe to this weekend Trucking’s free newsletter. We show you the hottest markets and the coldest markets to avoid.

Speaker: also try to reduce your deadhead by 10%.

Speaker: high capacity weeks usually equals to empty miles. For the carriers who did not plan ahead

Speaker: Then make sure to check a broker’s credit score before accepting freight.

Speaker: When a market softens payment fraud rises,

Speaker: slow pay or no pay. Brokers rise. Every time capacity increases.

Speaker: We also send broker alerts in our newsletter so you know how to avoid the shady players in the industry.

Speaker: And lastly, run your cost per mile weekly and not monthly. With diesel prices spiking up to $3 86 this week.

Speaker: It is necessary you keep recalculating to stay up to date so you know which loads are profitable. And remember, if you want [00:03:00] more quick updates like this. Don’t forget to subscribe to this weekend Trucking’s free newsletter. We break down the best cities to pick up loads by equipment type Plus we send you interviews with carriers sharing their real cost per mile and profits so you can see what’s working for others in the industry right now.

Speaker: The link is always available in the description of our videos.

Speaker: And let me know in the comments what freight conditions you’re seeing right now. Don’t forget to subscribe and drive safe.

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