10 Major Trucking Policies That Could Be Affected by Trump’s Return

WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance will have significant influence on major policies affecting trucking, with major financial implications for truck automation and electric vehicles, for example.

While the list of pending freight-related regulations and laws is long, below is a list of the 10 most important freight-related policies, in no particular order, that the Trump-Vance administration—along with Congress—is likely to undertake . the next four years.

Trump-Vance: Likely to revise standards at levels it deems technologically feasible for internal combustion engines, extend compliance deadlines and consider other ways to meet emissions targets, such as renewable diesel.

Cost implications: New diesel electric tractors cost approximately $180,000, compared to $450,000 for a new electric tractor. Additionally, today’s EV batteries weigh up to 12,000 to 16,000 pounds, reducing payload capacity due to highway weight restrictions.

2. Speed limiters

Biden-Harris: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration proposed rule scheduled for January 2025.

Trump-Vance: The rule could be delayed—perhaps indefinitely—as Vance backed legislation to ban the use of speed-limiting devices in trucks.

Cost implications: The rule is endorsed by major carriers and their associations (American Trucking Associations, Truckload Carriers Association) to codify technology already used by many large fleets. Owner-operators say the rule is unsafe and will lead to unfair competition with larger carriers.

3. Autonomous trucks

Biden-Harris: Planned to propose legislation in December Safe integration of commercial vehicles equipped with automated driving systemscovering the highest levels (Level 4 and Level 5) of truck automation.

Trump-Vance: Returning to a less regulatory, more industry-focused approach to truck automation, as seen during the first Trump administration, by encouraging more feedback from autonomous vehicle technology companies.

Cost implications: Potentially less burdensome for the trucking industry, as the Biden-Harris rule would impose higher costs on training and certification for those conducting enhanced inspections, as well as the possibility of exempting trucks and their drivers from additional inspections.

4. Trade/tariffs

Biden-Harris: Maintain current tariffs on some goods from China while raising and expanding tariffs on clean energy products, steel and aluminum.

Trump-Vance: Enter a tariff of 60% on all US imports from China and a base tariff on all US imports of 10–20%.

Cost implications: A net positive for domestic economic growth, which could trigger a corresponding increase in freight demand. Freight lobby interests may also have more power in negotiating tariff exceptions.

5. Corporate taxes

Biden-Harris: Potential increase from 21% to 28%.

Trump-Vance: Reduction up to 15% for companies manufacturing their products in the US and the potential elimination of the 12% Federal Excise Tax (FET) on heavy trucks and trailers.

Cost implications: The more tax policy favors U.S. domestic goods, the more immediate the positive effect will be on transshipment of goods from manufacturing plants, such as automobiles and household goods. Eliminating FET could encourage investment in cleaner trucks.

6. Crime reform

Biden-Harris: Supported labor legislation that would include increased violations and monetary damages similar to those found in Litigation related to traffic accidents.

Trump-Vance: May be more inclined to support legislation that would transfer cases involving such claims to the federal court system.

Cost implications: Potential victory over “nuclear verdicts” (over $10 million in awards) against trucking companies at the federal level, as well as tort reform pushed by the trucking industry, which is gaining momentum at the state level.

7. Truck parking

Biden-Harris: Expand funding through the Infrastructure, Investment, and Jobs Act (IIJA).

Trump-Vance: Vance was co-creator The Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act, a bill sponsored but not yet passed by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association.

Cost implications: The newly enacted legislation will provide $755 million in grants over the next three years specifically to expand truck parking.

8. Independent contractors

Biden-Harris: Department of Labor independent contracting final rule Truck drivers are more likely to be treated as employees rather than independent contractors in disputes with employers.

Trump-Vance: An expected return to a policy put in place during Trump’s first term that the Biden administration rescinded, making it easier for the Labor Department to detect that a worker is an independent contractor rather than an employee.

Cost implications: Administrative costs saved by carriers will be borne by independent contractors.

9. Oil

Biden-Harris: U.S. crude oil production is at a record high of 13.5 million barrels per day, according to the Energy Information Administration.

Trump-Vance: “Hold on, baby, train.”

Cost implications: ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods recently told CNBC that his company’s drilling activities won’t depend on who’s in the White House: “I’m not sure how drilling, baby, drilling translates into politics.” However, what could cause oil prices to rise—and therefore truck diesel costs to rise—is a new round of U.S. sanctions on Iran.

10. Infrastructure legislation

Biden-Harris: $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill/$110 billion for roads, bridges, major projects.

Trump-Vance: Re-registration of infrastructure for 2026.

Cost implications: Just as President Biden had significant influence on the size, scope and direction of the IIJA, President-elect Trump could exert his influence on the direction of the next infrastructure bill, including cutting environmental provisions and allocating more money to highway expansion and bridge capacity.

Disclosure: J.D. Vance is an investor in FreightWaves SONAR through the Rise of the Rest fund.

Click to see more articles by John Gallagher on FreightWaves.

2. Speed ​​limiters