CRAIG FULLER: ELP violation out of service is up to 95 per day. I believe this will continue to go up as law enforcement takes this issue seriously.

ELP violation out of service is up to 95 per day.

I believe this will continue to go up as law enforcement takes this issue do seriously. pic.twitter.com/R2ahbPHHNc

— Craig Fuller 🛩🚛🚂⚓️ (@FreightAlley) February 18, 2026

CRAIG FULLER: February the weakest month of the year.

Truckload rejections pop to 14.01%, near the highest levels they've been in years. It is notable that this is happening in Mid-February, normally one of the worst months for freight.

Shippers should prepare for significant rate increases this year and even if carriers… pic.twitter.com/HC0Fg63uBo

— Craig Fuller 🛩🚛🚂⚓️ (@FreightAlley) February 17, 2026

February the weakest month of the year.

Road conditions continue to be tight.  Container rejections are at 14.01%.  This is a sign that capacity is not loosening up despite the fact that weather is well behind us, in fact, last week was one of the best weeks of weather that we've had in some time and yet container rejections stayed extremely high compared to where they'd been in many years.  What I think is really interesting is that we are starting to see that as conditions tighten up we are hearing that shippers are finding it harder and harder to rely upon their carriers to take freight at the existing rates.  We're also finding that brokers are talking a lot about the fact that they're having to pay out significantly for spot market capacity.  If conditions hold, if we see strong container rejections continue for the next couple of weeks, it's a very clear sign that this market is not going to suddenly flip into the kinds of conditions that we've known the last couple of years.  This market is completely different.  The fact that this is happening mid-February should be noted by everybody that's in freight.  This is very atypical. February is arguably one of the weakest months of the year.  January you end up with a lot of returns that drive a lot of the market, gift card season that drives a lot of the market.  February doesn't really have a ton of things that are real catalysts and we don't see catalysts in Freight until March where you start seeing the spring shipping season, things like gardening, Construction, produce.  Those all start in March and beverages heat up as we get into the later portions of the spring as the weather gets hotter.  Things like beer and water bottles and sodas and all that stuff does peak as we head into the summer.  And so the fact that this is happening in February is the strongest sign that the great Freight recession is clearly over with and I think it's something that shippers should take note.  It's going to be harder and harder to rely upon your motor carriers to honor those existing rates.  If you've done an RFP this season [Request for Proposal], you should expect that the carriers that did these RFPs are probably going to expect some kinds of rate concessions as you head into the year because they probably had an orientation of thinking that Freight would be softer than it has turned out to be.  Therefore, prepare to ensure that you have some backups built into your routing guides . . . 

CMV, Commercial Motor Vehicle.

CLP, Commercial Learner's Permit.  Must hold your permit for 14 before you're eligible for a SKILLS TEST.  So I need a CLP.  How do I get that?  Good for 180 days.  Can renew it w/o retaking test.

P, Passenger.  Prohibited from operating CMV, Commercial Motor Vehicle.  Must complete a skills test.

S, School Bus. Prohibited from operating CMV, Commercial Motor Vehicle.  Must have a P and S endorsement.

T, Tank.  Prohibited from operating a tank vehicle unless the tank is empty.  T endorsement required to drive 2 & 3 trailers.

X, Hazardous Waste.  CVC ss353 and 15278.

GCWR, Gross Combination Weight Rating.  You need a CDL to operate a single vehicle with 26,001 lbs.

CVC, California Vehicle Code.

CFR, Code of Federal Regulation. 

A completed commercial driver's license application (DL 44C/eDL 44C) form. 

A Certificate of Driving Skills, (DL 170 ETP).  

Application Fee for CDL is good for 12 months.

STUDY TIP.  Study tip: Read the relevant sections (especially Sections 1–3 for general knowledge + air brakes/combination if needed), then highlight key rules, numbers, and definitions.

PRACTICE TESTS.

2 TESTS:  

Commercial Learner's Permit, CLP.  Complete this first.  Hold for 14 days before applying for General Knowledge Test.

1.  Skills Test includes vehicle inspection, basic control skills, and road test.  

2.  Knowledge test(s) (e.g., general knowledge, endorsements) @ the DMV. No waiting period for retaking knowledge tests, but skills test retakes may involve scheduling and fees.  Knowledge tests can be retaken multiple times (e.g., unlimited overall, though some sources note practical limits like fees after initial attempts or daily restrictions in certain formats).  The application fee for a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) in California, which includes the knowledge test, is $41. If you need to retake the knowledge test, additional fees may apply for each attempt. Then, $100. CDL Knowledge Practice Test. Find a few more.

StartCDL.

Roehl Practice Tests.

Crist CDL Practice Tests.

National Training, Inc.

CR England used to offer free training.  Checkout the descriptions of each for a preview.

Swift.

Knight-Swift out of Phoenix.

J. B. Hunt out of Arkansas.  Apply to JB Hunt.

XPOLogistics out of Greenwich, Connecticut.

Old Dominion Freight Lines out of North Carolina.

LTL, Less Than Truckload.  from Climb,

The Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) model accommodates shipments typically ranging from one to six pallets. These shipments are too large for standard parcel service but too small to justify a Full Truckload (FTL) carrier. This system allows several shippers to share the space and cost of a single trailer, maximizing equipment utilization. LTL carriers primarily rely on a hub-and-spoke distribution model to manage this consolidated freight.

this might be relevant,

Last-mile delivery costs account for 53% of shipping expenses, making network optimization crucial for businesses to maintain profitability while meeting customer demands for faster delivery. 

FIND TRUCKING JOBS.  All Truck Jobs.  And Smart-Trucking.

VIDEOS ON CDL PRE-INSPECTION TRIP.  Here.

CDL GENERAL KNOWLEDGE, 2026.  Here.

CDL LIFE

CDL Life?

1220 Washington St
Ste 200
Kansas City, MO 64105 

913-243-2916.  Call Chris from the #1 Community for Truckers.  He called me back on January 7, 2025.  info@CDLLife.com. 

Driver Pulse. 

Paula @ Premier Truck Driving School.  918-779-1735.  Contacted me in June 2025.

Hot Jobs Staffing & Recruiting.  970-963-2647.  Delivery Driver.  "We'd love to schedule you for an interview."

LEASING A BOX TRUCK

$2,000/month.  Ouch.  So $5,000/mo gigs will only net $3,000, and I know that the $5,000/month is a high estimate.  

Called @ 10:46 on 10/12/2024.  26' box truck.  888 736 8287.  This location?  What location?  Branch info?  

So the original number, 303)466-3877, refused to give me a quote without a designated date.  He did give me the 888 number above.  I phoned them.  Message only, no personnel to talk to.  

Enterprise Trucks. 

Thornton, CO.  2390 W 104th Ave

Thornton, CO 80234

Phone:

 

(303)466-3877

Fax:

 

(303)466-7666

Branch:

 

E112Z7

Make More Money with TruckStop

TruckStop.

Thanks to this trucker.

Strange things happening in Asheville. pic.twitter.com/EFaHVHMgBK

— Insurrection Barbie (@DefiyantlyFree) October 5, 2024

Post Office Positions

Rural Carrier Associate, RCA

In this role, you deliver and collect packages along routes in rural areas during weekdays, weekends, and holidays. You also provide a variety of services to customers along your assigned route. You may be required to use a personal vehicle if a postal vehicle is not provided. As an RCA you may be eligible to receive health benefits and promotion to a career opportunity. This position is ideal for candidates who enjoy staying active and working independently outdoors with occasional customer service interactions. 

Assistant Rural Carrier, ARC

In this role you primarily deliver and collect packages along designated routes in suburban and rural areas. You may be required to provide your own personal vehicle to use for package and mail delivery. As an ARC you may be hired to provide mail and parcel delivery service on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (a weekend and holiday only position) or provide parcel delivery up to seven (7) days of the week. If you enjoy working outdoors, this may be a great fit for you. 

PSE, Mail Processing Clerk

In this role, you will perform a variety of clerk duties required to process mail using automated mail processing equipment or manual methods of sorting and distribution. Benefits may include paid vacation leave and health insurance. If you enjoy working in a fast-paced, safe environment with occasional interaction with the public, this could be the right job for you. 

PSE, Sales & Services/Distribution Associate

In this role you will perform a variety of sales and customer support services. The job primarily involves providing services to customers over the counter at postal branches. Benefits may include paid vacation leave and health insurance. If you enjoy working regularly with the public to serve your community this may be an excellent fit for you. 

Motor Vehicle Operator, MVO

In this role you will operate a mail truck in all weather conditions on a regularly scheduled route to pick up and transport mail. Benefits may include health insurance and retirement. This position requires a commercial driver’s license. If you enjoy driving a vehicle supported by a strong team in a safe work environment, this could be the job for you.