Freight Pulse & Law Update: Arkansas Pulls 393 Drivers and Rigs Off the Road as Ohio Ends Non-Domiciled CDLs

A 48-hour multi-agency blitz in Arkansas and a steady state-by-state rollback of non-domiciled CDLs are tightening who can legally haul your freight.

Why did Arkansas pull 393 drivers and rigs off the road?

Operation Highway Shield ran from 6 a.m. Oct. 27 through 6 a.m. Oct. 29 at weigh stations on interstate and highway corridors, with Arkansas Highway Police working alongside FMCSA, DEA, HSI and ICE. Officers performed 1,724 commercial vehicle inspections and logged more than 1,000 safety violations. Results: 393 drivers and vehicles out of service, 44 criminal arrests, 74 immigration violations, one stolen trailer recovered, and 183 drivers disqualified for failing English-language proficiency rules.

What does Ohio's CDL change mean for carriers?

Ohio has fully ended its non-domiciled CDL program after a review of about 5,000 drivers. Remaining holders get 30 days' notice before downgrade to standard licenses, with a BMV hearing available. Louisiana, Wyoming, Colorado, Idaho, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island and Utah have also stopped issuing them. Re-qualify affected drivers now or lose their hours.

Where else are rules being eased for fuel haulers?

Georgia extended its suspension of the 37-cent state diesel excise tax through Nov. 30, and Nebraska's Executive Order 26-25 waives hours-of-service limits and allows 10% extra weight for fuel haulers on non-interstate highways through Nov. 18.

3PL Mid-Atlantic Watch: What should shippers plan for?

MDOT SHA closes three of four northbound I-95 lanes near MD 32 in Howard County from 9 p.m. Friday through the weekend for emergency bridge-joint work. Detours run on US 1, US 29 and MD 295. Shift Glen Burnie warehouse appointment windows northbound accordingly, or contact Lanta Logistics.

Key takeaway: Enforcement is hammering driver qualifications, so verify CDLs, English proficiency and logs before every dispatch.

How can shippers keep freight moving cleanly?

Third party logistics providers and supply chain management companies use FlowOps by Lanta, an operator-built warehouse management system with 3PL fulfillment services built in. Flat plans start at $99/month with unlimited SKUs, 20+ modules, patent-pending Agentic AI and real-time visibility. Compare plans.

Tags: freight news, shipping law, logistics, supply chain, 3PL