CarriersEdge launches new assessment to address English proficiency requirements

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CarriersEdge launches new assessment to address English proficiency requirements

(Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

Online driver training provider CarriersEdge recently announced the release of an English Language Proficiency Assessment designed to help carriers prepare for enforcement of U.S. regulations under 49 CFR §391.11(b)(2). The assessment, released Thursday, is in response to recent regulatory changes that allow drivers to be placed out of service if they fail a roadside English proficiency interview.

The new assessment tool serves as a diagnostic resource for carriers concerned about compliance with the language proficiency requirements. “Many of our customers have contacted us to say they are very worried about the new enforcement rules and the ambiguity regarding how they will be applied,” said Jane Jazrawy, CEO of CarriersEdge. “The easy-to-administer assessment is a diagnostic tool carriers can use to understand what sort of risk they are facing with their drivers.”

The tool is available to all CarriersEdge customers. The assessment uses visual cues and audio questions to evaluate a driver’s ability to comprehend and respond to typical roadside inspection scenarios. Test components include identifying road sign meanings and responding to common inspection questions.

CarriersEdge cautions that passing their assessment does not guarantee a driver will pass an actual roadside inspection. The company recommends carriers evaluate their specific risks and develop plans, given the remaining uncertainties about enforcement implementation. To address these concerns, CarriersEdge executives recently conducted a webinar titled “Inside The US Language Proficiency Requirements” to discuss the rule and planning strategies.

Current CarriersEdge customers can access the test by logging into their system and searching for the English Proficiency Test. Non-customers interested in the assessment can sign up for a free trial on the CarriersEdge website.

Fleetworthy launches industry-first expedited inspection in Nevada

(Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

Fleetworthy on Tuesday officially launched its Expedited Inspection feature, only available through Drivewyze by Fleetworthy, starting with deployment in Nevada. The announcement follows successful pilot programs and is initially available to fleets using Geotab or Platform Science electronic logging devices (ELDs).

The industry-first solution, according to Fleetworthy, securely and automatically transfers fleet and vehicle registration data to pre-fill inspection forms while streamlining the delivery of a driver’s Electronic Record of Duty Status directly to enforcement personnel. Through the reduction of manual data entry requirements, the technology speeds up roadside inspection. Faster inspections means decreased time at inspection sites, and helps reduce the risk of violations, particularly those related to Hours of Service data.

“We’re thrilled to announce this industry-first capability, starting with Nevada,” said Shay Demmons, Chief Product Officer at Fleetworthy in the release. “Our PreClear weigh station bypass customers can activate Expedited Inspection through their ELD, and once done, they’re set with Nevada and any new states as they come on board.”

Nevada Highway Patrol Lieutenant Tappan Cornmesser added, “Nevada is proud to lead the way with technology that benefits the entire industry by helping keep freight moving safely and efficiently. By partnering with Drivewyze by Fleetworthy on Expedited Inspection, we’re empowering our officers with tools that reduce manual tasks and accelerate inspections.”

The technology works by integrating with Drivewyze PreClear, which provides weigh station bypasses based on safety scores across North America. Even when drivers are randomly pulled in for inspection, Expedited Inspection is expected to deliver significant time and cost savings by automating traditionally manual elements of the inspection process.

Fleetworthy plans to expand the technology to additional states soon, marking what Demmons calls “a significant step forward for Fleetworthy and the broader transportation industry” by removing manual HOS data handoffs and automating inspection workflows.

Market update: U.S. Economy Heading for Significant Slowdown in 2025

The U.S. economy is headed toward a significant slowdown in growth this year, according to the Conference Board’s latest economic analysis. The organization’s Leading Economic Index (LEI) dipped 0.1% in May, following a revised 1.4% decline in April, signaling the potential for economic challenges ahead.

The LEI fell 2.7% in the six months ending in May 2025, a steeper decline than the 1.4% decrease observed in the previous six-month period. This downward trend has triggered the Conference Board’s recession signal, though the organization still expects growth rather than contraction.

“The Conference Board does not anticipate recession, but we do expect a significant slowdown in economic growth in 2025 compared to 2024, with real GDP growing at 1.6% this year and persistent tariff effects potentially leading to further deceleration in 2026,” said Justyna Zabinska-La Monica, Senior Manager for Business Cycle Indicators at the Conference Board.

Several key factors were cited as driving economic deceleration. Housing permits have declined, unemployment insurance claims have risen for two consecutive months, and both consumer sentiment and manufacturing orders remain weak. While stock prices rebounded in May after April’s drop, this positive indicator wasn’t enough to offset the broader negative trends.

Federal Reserve officials hold an even less optimistic view than the Conference Board, projecting GDP growth of just 1.4% for 2025 – a full 1.1 percentage points lower than last year. Fed Chair Jerome Powell noted that while the economy appears “solid,” surveys show “a decline in sentiment over recent months and elevated uncertainty about the economic outlook, largely reflecting trade policy concerns.”

The central bank is considering potential interest rate cuts as early as July to prevent labor market deterioration. “I’m all in favor of saying maybe we should start thinking about cutting the policy rate at the next meeting, because we don’t want to wait until the job market tanks,” Fed Governor Christopher Waller said in a CNBC interview.

Fed officials forecast unemployment rising to 4.5% by year-end, up from 4.2% in May. The Fed’s preferred inflation measure is expected to end 2025 at 3.1%. This is still above their 2% target despite early signs of easing price pressures.

SONAR spotlight: Dry van warmup ahead of July 4th

(Source: SONAR)

Summary: Dry van spot market and outbound tender rejection rates are warming up ahead of the July 4th holiday, less than two weeks away. Dry van outbound tender rejection rates rose 15 basis points in the past week from 5.87% on June 16 to 6.02%. VOTRI is 44 basis points higher than last year’s value of 5.58% on June 24, 2024.

Dry van spot market rates also rose, but remain lower based on year-over-year comps. The SONAR National Truckload Index 7-Day average rose 2 cents per mile w/w from $2.25 to $2.27 per mile. Compared to the previous year, the NTI is 5 cents per mile lower compared to $2.32 per year.

The state of trucking capacity remains a development to watch. There are fewer carriers but less truckload demand, making a determination of the exact extent of a July 4th rally difficult to predict. FreightWaves’ J.P. Hampstead wrote, “According to FMCSA data, from June 2020 to October 2022, the number of active truckload operating authorities surged by approximately 48%, but they have since declined by about 12%. This downsizing reflects a correction mode in response to overinflated capacity during the pandemic boom, which is still being unwound.”

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Routing Guide: Links from around the web

Truckers fear job loss as new English language rules take effect (Associated Press)

Carrier revocations overachievement illustrates increasing market vulnerability (FreightWaves)

Dolche Truckload files for bankruptcy after defaulting on tractor, trailer loan payments (Trucking Dive)

What percentage of CDL drivers can’t meet ELP standards? (Overdrive)

FMCSA’s electronic medical certification system takes effect — in most states (Overdrive)

Early peak season signals challenging market ahead for trucking (Trucking Dive)

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