Top 3 Trucking News Today: IRS Eases Dyed Diesel Penalties, FMCSA Tightens CDL School Vetting and Waabi Hauls Freight in Texas (October 18, 2026)

Fuel tax rules, driver training and autonomous trucks lead this Sunday’s trucking headlines. Here are the three stories carriers, owner-operators, brokers and shippers should know about today.

1. IRS Will Not Penalize Dyed Diesel Used on Highways Through December 31

Following the October 5 executive order on dyed diesel, the IRS announced on October 14 that it will not impose excise tax penalties on dyed diesel sold for, or used in, diesel-powered vehicles on highways. The relief runs through December 31, applies to federal tax only, and also covers penalties for missed semimonthly deposits. Sellers do not have to investigate how the fuel will be used, and users do not need special records to qualify.

The relief has limits. The federal tax on road diesel is not erased: the order calls for deferral without interest or penalties, and Treasury is still studying whether the deferred amount could be eliminated. Further guidance is pending. State rules differ too, and at least 11 states have issued their own relief, so IFTA tax may still apply elsewhere. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association has said the order will bring only minimal relief.

Why it matters: With diesel above $6 a gallon, any relief draws attention, but fleets should not treat red-dyed fuel as a free pass. Keep fuel records, ask your tax professional how deferred amounts will be handled, and check each state on your routes before fueling with dyed diesel.

2. FMCSA Seeks Emergency Approval to Vet CDL Training Providers More Closely

FMCSA has asked the White House Office of Management and Budget for emergency approval of an information collection that would require more paperwork before a school is listed on the Training Provider Registry, and again when a provider adds a location. Providers would submit lesson plans, proof that training vehicles comply, instructor qualifications, proof of state authorization and documentation of their training facilities. The agency says it also plans a full rulemaking but cannot wait for that process.

The agency’s concern is that schools removed for fraud or willful rule violations can currently sign back in, self-certify with new details such as a new email address, and be listed again. FMCSA says nearly 10,000 school sites have been removed and about 800 schools remain under review. Some school owners have disputed the evidence behind earlier emergency shutdowns, and the process is still developing.

Why it matters: Stronger vetting could make it harder for poor-quality schools to operate, which supports safety and the value of a legitimate CDL. It could also add paperwork for honest training providers. Carriers hiring new graduates should verify where a driver trained and keep that documentation in the driver qualification file.

3. Waabi Begins Hauling Customer Freight Between Dallas and Houston

Volvo Autonomous Solutions and Waabi have started their first joint commercial operation, moving freight for logistics provider Warp on the Dallas–Houston corridor with the Volvo VNL Autonomous running the Waabi Driver system. A safety observer remains in the driver’s seat. Separately, Texas carrier Warrior Logistics, which runs more than 200 of its own trucks, announced it is using Waabi trucks for recurring food, beverage and consumer goods loads on the same lanes.

Waabi reports 100% on-time pickup and delivery and no safety incidents on its autonomous routes so far, though those figures come from the company and neither partner disclosed truck counts or load volumes. Waabi says it expects to go driverless next year.

Why it matters: Autonomous freight is moving from tests to real customer loads, starting with a single busy lane. For now it adds capacity on routes carriers find hard to staff rather than replacing drivers, but brokers and carriers on Texas lanes should watch how pricing and service develop.

The Bottom Line

Each story is a reminder to read the details: fuel relief that defers rather than cancels tax, training rules that aim to protect safety while adding paperwork, and automation that is arriving gradually, with people still on board. Keep good records and follow official guidance as it arrives.

Neal’s Take

Taken together, today’s stories say that the rules around trucking are changing quickly, and the safest response is good documentation. On dyed diesel, I would wait for the Treasury guidance and the state rules before changing how I fuel, because the tax is deferred and not clearly cancelled. On CDL schools, I see a fair trade-off: tighter vetting can protect safety, while honest schools will need to handle more paperwork. On Waabi, I would simply watch how the Dallas–Houston lane performs, since the company’s figures are self-reported and a safety observer is still on board. For carriers and dispatchers, my practical step this week is to confirm records with your tax adviser and your driver files.

— Neal Cvetkovski, Founder of LOAD TIDE. Personal opinion, not legal or financial advice.

Stay with LOAD TIDE for daily updates on the freight and trucking market.

Sources: Holland & Knight, CCJ, Transport Topics, Overdrive, CCJ (Volvo and Waabi), FreightWaves.