Trucking news and briefs for Monday, March 31, 2025:
House bill would create $7,500 tax credit for truck drivers
A bipartisan group of lawmakers have reintroduced a bill that would give eligible truck drivers a $7,500 tax credit over the next two years.
Introduced in the U.S. House by Rep. Pat Ryan (D-New York) and co-sponsored by Reps. Zachary Nunn (R-Iowa) and Mark Amodei (R-Nevada), the Strengthening Supply Chains through Truck Driver Incentives Act aims to address truck driver retention issues, Ryan said.
“Truck drivers keep the American economy moving forward. They work long, hard hours with little support to make sure that people across the country have everything that they need for daily life,” Ryan said. “It’s no wonder that job retention rates in the industry are declining. We have to be encouraging more people to sign up to drive and stay there, which is why providing incentives like this is so important. Keeping more skilled drivers on the road will also help combat supply chain issues, which jack up prices for American consumers. Passing this bill is a no-brainer." Ryan believed the bill might inspire "better conditions for the workers that drive us forward, more high-paying union jobs, and lower costs for families across the country.”
The bill appears to have application to most working truck drivers, regardless of employment status, including owner-operators.
Specifically, the bill would, with limitations based on taxable income (a $90K maximum for individuals, under which the credit would apply; $112.5K for heads of household; $135K for spouses filing jointly):
- Create a new refundable tax credit of up to $7,500 for truck drivers holding a valid Class A CDL who drive at least 1,900 hours in the year. This tax credit would last for two years (2025 and 2026).
- Create a new refundable tax credit of up to $10,000 for new truck drivers or individuals enrolled in a registered trucking apprenticeship. This tax credit would also last for two years.
- Allow new truck drivers to be eligible for the credit if they did not drive a commercial truck in the previous year or drive for at least 1,420 hours in the current year. They may receive a proportion of the credit if they drove less than 1,420 hours in the year but drove at least an average of 40 hours a week upon starting to drive.
The legislation is endorsed by the American Trucking Associations, the Trucking Association of New York, New York Farm Bureau Federation, International Foodservice Distributors Association, and the Teamsters.
[Related: Bipartisan truck driver tax credit bill reintroduced]
Illinois extending March IRP registration deadline
The Illinois Secretary of State’s office on Friday, March 28, issued a notice extending the registration period for vehicles registered in Illinois under the International Registration Plan (IRP).
The notice, citing “high volume of in person and mail in renewals,” extends the registration period for vehicles with registrations expiring in March 2025. Vehicles with registrations originally expiring March 31, 2025, will be valid until April 18, 2025.
“Notwithstanding these extensions, registrants are strongly encouraged to submit renewal applications as soon as possible to ensure timely processing,” the notice said. “We ask that law enforcement agencies in all IRP member jurisdictions refrain from acting against vehicles with Illinois apportioned license plates expiring March 2025 until the end of the extension period, April 18, 2025, has passed.”
[Related: Owner-operator tax obligations start with required truck registration]
AEB software error prompts Daimler recall
A software error in the automatic emergency braking (AEB) system has prompted a recall of nearly 1,900 Freightliner and Western Star trucks, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents.
In the affected units, a software error in the advanced signal and actuator module for the automatic emergency braking system may cause the brake lights to fail to illuminate.
The recall includes 1,891 model year 2026 Freightliner 108SD, Freightliner 114SD, and Freightliner Cascadia units; and model year 2025-‘26 Freightliner Business Class M2, Western Star 47X, and Western Star 49X trucks.
Dealers will update the brake light software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 24. Owners may contact Daimler Trucks North America customer service at 800-547-0712 with recall number F1018. NHTSA’s recall number is 25V-187.
[Related: Are FMCSA and NHTSA skirting Congressional directive with AEB proposal?]
Kenworths, Peterbilts recalled for electrical issue
Paccar is recalling 239 model year 2021-‘25 Peterbilt 520, 579 and Kenworth T680 trucks in which the high voltage (HV) contactors may open, causing a sudden loss of high voltage and a loss of drive power.
Dealers will update the software and replace the electrical harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 23. Owners can contact Peterbilt's customer service at 940-591-4220 with recall number 25PBC and Kenworth's customer service at 1-425-828-5888 with recall number 25KWC. NHTSA’s recall number is 25V-181.
Battery-electric trucks from three manufacturers recalled
Paccar and Mack Trucks have issued separate, non-related recalls for some of their respective battery-electric trucks (BEVs).
Paccar’s recall includes 42 model year 2024-‘25 Peterbilt 220, Kenworth K270 and K370 medium-duty BEVs in which the cradle harness may have a loose electrical connection that can cause a loss of drive power.
Dealers will inspect and replace the cradle harness as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 23. Owners can contact Peterbilt's customer service at 940-591-4220 with recall number 25PBD and Kenworth's customer service at 425-828-5888 with recall number 25KWD. NHTSA’s recall number is 25V-182.
Mack’s recall affects just seven model year 2022-‘24 Mack LRBE trucks in which the high-voltage batteries may have loose hardware that can fall inside the battery pack and create a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Dealers will replace the batteries, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 19. Owners can contact Mack's customer service at 800-866-1177 with recall number SC0475. NHTSA’s recall number is 25V-185.
Severe-, medium-duty Internationals recalled for brakes issue
International Motors is recalling 153 model year 2024 HV, 2020-‘25 MV, and 2019 Workstar 7400 trucks. In the affected trucks, the brake caliper may contact a suspension spring or axle U-bolt and prevent the outer brake pad from functioning, which can extend the vehicle’s stopping distance.
Dealers will switch the left and right rear air disc brake calipers, replace the rear brake torque plates, and replace the brake pads, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 19. Owners can contact International customer service at 800-448-7825 with recall number 25501. NHTSA’s recall number is 25V-178.
