Trucking’s top 10 regulatory headlines of 2025

FreightWaves frames this year’s trucking changes as a simple deregulatory spree, as if the only story is Washington stepping back. That misses why drivers and fleets wanted relief in the first place: rules that look tidy on paper can turn into costly mandates on the road, with little proof they improve outcomes.

Canceling blanket speed limiter mandates is not anti-safety; it is skepticism toward one-size-fits-all engineering in a world of grades, weather, and mixed traffic. That is regulatory humility, and it matters when compliance costs land hardest on small carriers. Likewise, enforcing English standards is not cultural posturing. It is about public safety, clear communication, and rule of law at roadside inspections and in emergencies.

The real test is public trust: regulations should be narrowly tailored, evidence-based, and enforceable. Trucking runs on consistency, and so should the standards that govern it.