Freight Pulse & Law Update: Tender Rejections Hold at 13.45% as FMCSA Opens a New Driver-Exemption Docket

Outbound tender rejections remain elevated at 13.45% as of September 10, 2026, while dry van spot linehaul averages approximately $2.21 per mile. The Labor Day rejection spike was the largest since 2021, confirming that capacity is tightening rather than normalizing quickly.

What is driving the current freight market?

The national load-to-truck ratio is approximately 11.5, compared with 6.7 a year ago. Loads remain steady, trucks are returning only gradually, and diesel near $6 per gallon continues to push fuel surcharges higher. The national van rate is approximately $3.43 per mile including fuel, according to NTI market reporting.

FTR also reported that the trucking sector remained strong in July. For-hire capacity expanded, but the market stayed tight. For shippers, that combination means more routing-guide pressure, higher backup-carrier costs, and greater need for real-time transportation visibility.

What did FMCSA publish on driver exemptions?

On September 10, FMCSA published a Federal Register notice renewing exemptions for nine interstate CMV drivers with epilepsy or seizure disorders. The comment period closes October 13, 2026. The exemptions apply from September 16, 2026, through September 16, 2028, subject to medical monitoring, reporting, and safety conditions.

Carriers should:

• Monitor the applicable FMCSA docket.

• Retain exemption documentation in the driver qualification file.

• Track medical certifications, annual physician reports, crashes, citations, and treatment changes.

• Keep qualification records audit-ready.

What other compliance dates matter?

The 2027 UCR registration portal opens October 1, 2026. The largest carrier and freight-forwarder bracket rises from $44,836 to $54,165; see the official UCR fee schedule. UCR remains separate from USDOT biennial updates during the MOTUS transition pause.

Also document readiness from CVSA Brake Safety Week, August 23–29, 2026, which focused on brake drums and rotors.

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