What the New York Funding Cut Means for Truckers

Amy Chavez

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April 29, 2026

A lot is shifting in the trucking industry right now. Diesel is finally moving in the right direction, the driver shortage headline is making the rounds again, and a major federal funding decision is going to affect one of the busiest freight markets in the country. Here is what small carriers and owner-operators need to know.

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Episode Highlights

Diesel Is Coming Down, But Do Not Adjust Your Surcharges Yet

As of April 20th, the national average on-highway diesel price sits at $5.403 per gallon, down from $5.643 at the start of the month. That is about 24 cents cheaper in just a few weeks, and for operators running multiple trucks or heavy weekly mileage, that is real money back in your pocket.

But zoom out and diesel is still nearly $1.87 higher than this same time last year. The trend is moving in the right direction, just not far enough yet to change how you price your freight.

Do not drop your fuel surcharges because of a short-term dip. Watch the trend through May before making any adjustments.

The Driver Shortage Story Does Not Match the Numbers

Headlines about a truck driver shortage are circulating again. Industry insiders are pushing back hard, and the data is on their side.

According to FMCSA, there are approximately 9 million CDL holders in the United States. The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts active truck drivers at over 3 million, with more than 2 million of those being over-the-road drivers.

That is not a shortage. That is a workforce.

Ed Burns, an industry voice and previous guest on This Week in Trucking, put it plainly in a LinkedIn post this week worth reading in full. The real problems are pay, retention, training, and efficiency. Drivers spending hours waiting at docks unpaid, empty miles eating into earnings, and sign-on bonuses with fine print that disqualifies most people who earn them.

When the conversation stays focused on shortage, the proposed solutions look very different than if it focuses on pay and retention. Know the real numbers, and push back when you hear the shortage narrative.

New York Loses $73 Million in Federal Highway Funding

The U.S. Department of Transportation has withheld $73 million from New York over a compliance issue. For truckers running lanes in or around the New York metro area, this matters practically.

Less federal funding means slower road maintenance, delayed infrastructure projects, and more wear on your equipment running those corridors. Keep an eye on conditions in and around that market as this plays out.

What This All Means for You

Diesel is trending better but is not cheap. The driver shortage headline does not hold up to the numbers, so know the facts and push back when it comes up. And one of the busiest freight markets in the country just lost road funding, which will affect operations in that region over time.

Stay informed, know your numbers, and protect your margins.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there actually a truck driver shortage in 2026? No. According to FMCSA there are approximately 9 million CDL holders in the US, with over 3 million actively driving. Industry experts point to pay, retention, and efficiency as the real problems, not a shortage of drivers.

Should I lower my fuel surcharge now that diesel prices are dropping? Not yet. While diesel dropped about 24 cents in early April 2026, it is still nearly $1.87 higher than this time last year. Watch the trend through May before making any changes to your surcharge structure.

How can small carriers manage cash flow when costs are unpredictable? Waiting 30 to 45 days to get paid on loads you already delivered puts real pressure on fuel, repairs, and day-to-day operations. Bobtail’s financial tools for cash flow give owner-operators same-day pay so your money is available when your expenses are. Learn more at bobtail.com.

Where can I find weekly freight market updates for small carriers? The This Week in Trucking free newsletter breaks down the hottest freight markets by equipment type every week, plus broker collection alerts so you always know who to watch out for. Sign up at bobtail.com/newsletter.

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FAQs

What is the Delilah Law in trucking?

The Delilah Law is a proposed federal bill that would change some CDL eligibility requirements and testing standards in the United States.

Is the Delilah Law already in effect?

No. The bill has been introduced but still needs to pass through Congress before becoming law.

How could the Delilah Law affect trucking?

If enacted, the law could change CDL eligibility rules and potentially reduce the number of drivers available in the short term.

Could trucking rates increase if the law passes?

Some analysts believe fewer drivers could tighten trucking capacity, which historically can lead to higher freight rates.

Can factoring help during slower freight periods?

Yes, when used to stabilize cash flow rather than chase volume. Checkout bobtail.com

Why are CDL rules changing?

Regulators say the goal is to improve safety and create consistent national standards for commercial driver licensing.

Full Transcript

HRN MAR 12th 2026

Speaker: What if one law could overnight remove hundreds of thousands of truck drivers

Speaker: from the road almost overnight and. Send freights, soaring and plus sensate and send rates soaring

Speaker: and send rates soaring.

Speaker: That’s the conversation. That’s the conversation happening around the, that’s the conversation happening around the trugging industry right now.

Speaker: From this weekend trucking. I’m Amy from this in trucking. This is hot right now, and I’m Amy from this week in trucking. This is hot right now, and I’m Amy.

Speaker: Here’s why. Everyone is talking about the Delilah Law. The Delilah Law. Here’s why everyone’s talking about it.

Speaker: The proposed Delilah law is gaining attention

Speaker: after Donald Trump requested stronger

Speaker: after Donald Trump’s request for stronger for us. After Donald Trump’s request for a Stronger after Donald Trump’s, after Donald Trump’s request for a stronger CDL reform.

Speaker: This bill, as you might know, was introduced after a serious crash involving a truck driver. Who reportedly should not have been eligible for a commercial license.

Speaker: And again, lawmakers are fa and again, lawmakers are now faced with tightening how CDLs are obtained

Speaker: if passed the law would. Passed the law would

Speaker: if passed the law would require states to make several changes in order to keep federal highway funding.

Speaker: That means that includes limiting CDL eligibility for. Limiting, oh wait, wait. Limiting CDL eligibility to US residents, US citizens limiting CDL eligibility to US citizens, green card holders, and certain visa holders, as well as requiring CDL as well as requiring CDL knowledge.

Speaker: And skill tests to be administered in English only,

Speaker: and also forcing some CDL holders to recertify within 180 days.

Speaker: The overall goal is to create more consistent na. National standards for commercial drivers, there are about 3.5 million. There are about 3.5 to 3.8 million CDL drivers in the United States.

Speaker: An estimate, sugg, an estimate suggests that a, an estimates, and whoa. It’s estimated that more than, and it says, and it is estimated that more than a hundred thousand of them are foreign born,

Speaker: even if a portion of those drivers lose eligibility.

Speaker: If the, if the trucking industry were to lose eligibility of some of those drivers, if some of those drivers were to lose eligibility, a major portion of drop of truck of trucking capacity would drop.

Speaker: Which we, which could mean higher rates.

Speaker: And when markets move fast, like that, cash flow becomes even more important for carriers.

Speaker: When rates change or enforcement, or when rates change or enforcement tightens, winning 30 to 60 days to get paid can be impossible.

Speaker: That’s why main, that’s why many owner operators choose to.

Speaker: Many. That’s why many owner operators choose to go with a service that helps them get same day pay. And

Speaker: that’s why many owner operators choose financial tools that can help them with same day pay, so they can keep cash flow flowing so they can keep cash flow moving and their trucks running. It is important that you find a reliable service

Speaker: to invoice your funds and that

Speaker: service that gives you access to same date invoice funds.

Speaker: If you would like to learn more about Bob Till’s factoring service, I’ll leave a link to the dis.

Speaker: If you would like more information about bobtail service, I’ll leave a link to it in the description of this video. It’s same day, pay no hidden fees and top tier customer support. Yes, people to always answer your questions

Speaker: and and tied to all of these new.

Speaker: And, and alongside the Delilah law, the F-M-C-S-A is tightening oversight

Speaker: at a recent industry event. Derek barks at a recent industry event. Derek Barnes

Speaker: said that the agency is already working to tight. Said that the agency is already working to TI working. Said that the agency said that the agency is already working to tighten CDL oversight. That that includes investigating CDL investigate. That includes investigating CDL schools. Fuck that includes investigating CDL schools, improving driver vetting.

Speaker: And targeting chameleon carriers.

Speaker: So whether the Delilah Law passes or not stricter CDL enforcement is already coming.

Speaker: And lastly, and lastly, we have our diesel price update according to the us. According to the EIA.

Speaker: I would say no.

Speaker: Okay.

Speaker: According to the EIA, the national average, the national average, the national average diesel price. Jumped to $4 and 85 cents per gallon as of March 9th.

Speaker: That’s a big change, which jumped from, that’s a big jump of 96 cents from last week.

Speaker: This is, and this is a dollar and 27 higher than a year ago

Speaker: for trucking businesses. Spikes like these can go directly into your operational costs for, for trucking businesses. Spikes like these go directly into your operational costs.

Speaker: This is one of your largest expenses in running your business.

Speaker: So while the industry is debating the Delilah law and the CDL issues, carriers are also watching. Should be. You should also be watching fuel closely. A jump like this can change margins overnight.

Speaker: So bottom line. So the bottom line is

Speaker: if the Delilah law come, if the Delilah law moves forward, if the Delilah law moves forward. It could become, if the Delilah law moves forward, it could become one of the biggest structural changes. It could become one of the biggest structural changes to Trugging in years.

Speaker: And as we just, and as we just mentioned, diesel is on the rise, so keep a close eye and. Make sure you’re running your costs and make sure you’re running your costs weekly, so not 1 cent escapes you.

Speaker: Also, if you’re looking for a way to save money on fuel, I’ll leave you a link in the description for a great suggestion of a card that you could be using right now. Also, if you’re looking to save money on fuel, I’ll leave for you a link in the description of a car I can suggest to you. Remember, if you want more updates like this every week, don’t forget to subscribe to this week in Trucking’s Free.

Speaker: Yes, completely free newsletter. We sent you the, we sent you the hottest freight markets per equipment type plus broker alerts, so you can plus broker alerts so you can avoid the shady players in the industry. Don’t forget to subscribe to the channel and drive safe.

Article By

Amy Chavez

Amy is the editor and producer of the This Week In Trucking podcast alongside managing social media content with a focus on providing helpful information and clear communication. She enjoys making content that informs and connects, helping audiences engage with stories that matter.

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