GRAIN VALLEY, Mo. (RFD-TV) — A new federal review has found that nearly half of the nation’s truck driver training schools are not meeting government requirements, raising concerns about what this could mean for the future of agricultural shipping and the broader trucking workforce. Lewie Pugh, with the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), joined us on the Market Day Report to share his thoughts on the findings.
The federal review found “nearly 3,000 commercial driver’s license (CDL) training providers from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Training Provider Registry (TPR) for failing to equip trainees with the Trump Administration’s standards of readiness.” In addition, another 4,500 training providers were “placed on notice due to potential noncompliance.”
In his interview with RFD-TV News, Pugh reacted to the Transportation Department’s latest effort to ensure drivers are properly qualified and addressed whether he was surprised by the number of schools deemed out of compliance. He also discussed the potential impact on the industry. Pugh spoke about how these issues could affect recently qualified drivers who attended non-compliant schools and what consequences they may face moving forward.
He also shared what he would like to see happen next — outlining ideas for maintaining safety standards while supporting a strong, reliable shipping workforce.
High ownership does not always translate into high output, underscoring the importance of structural differences in understanding state-level farm performance.
December 28, 2025 03:00 PM
·
Record yields are cushioning production declines, but softer prices underscore the importance of cost control and market timing for vegetable growers.
December 28, 2025 08:00 AM
·
Cuba remains a small but dependable, cash-only outlet for U.S. grain and food products.
December 27, 2025 03:00 PM
·
Expanding cheese exports are strengthening U.S. milk demand and reinforcing global competitiveness.
December 27, 2025 07:00 AM
·
Strong global demand and falling stocks suggest continued price volatility for U.S. coffee buyers despite record world production.
December 26, 2025 03:00 PM
·
U.S. dairy producers remain the primary growth engine globally, while tightening supplies in Europe and New Zealand could support export demand for American dairy products.
December 26, 2025 12:00 PM
·
Fewer acres and stronger prices suggest disciplined hop production is supporting market balance despite lower output.
December 25, 2025 06:00 PM
·
Benchmark machinery costs against those of similar-sized, high-performing operations to inform equipment and investment decisions.
December 25, 2025 12:00 PM
·
Record pace corn exports are helping stabilize prices despite softer global grain production and ongoing supply competition.
December 25, 2025 06:00 AM
·
