The Morning Mile — Saturday, Oct. 3

Good morning, drivers. Here is what you need to know to start Saturday, October 3.

Longer emergency relief: FMCSA finalized a rule restoring 30 days of automatic HOS relief for drivers giving direct assistance in declared emergencies — effective Oct. 5, reversing the 14-day cutoff in place since 2023.

Jobs milestone: Truck transportation employment topped the year-ago level for the first time since April 2023, at 1,473,100 jobs in September — though economists warn the numbers may be revised down.

Diesel diplomacy: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged Europe to release diesel reserves faster, saying "American farmers, truckers, and businesses should not be left carrying the burden of a global diesel shortage"; Brent eased 2.4% to $99.88.

CDL crackdown: FMCSA chief Derek Barrs told the TenFour D.C. rally that about 1,000 improperly issued non-domiciled CDLs are coming off the rolls each month, and called industry fraud "rampant."

Driverless beacons: The FMCSA waiver letting autonomous trucks use cab-mounted warning beacons expires Oct. 9 with automatic reissue promised — while an Illinois operator's 7th Circuit challenge awaits a ruling.

Fuel fraud tech: Geotab launched a telematics-locked fleet card with AtoB that declines fuel purchases when the truck is not at the pump, backed by a fraud guarantee of up to $250,000.

End of an era: Creviston Trucking of Indiana, which started in 1948 hand-carrying mail from the Gary Post Office, is closing after nearly 80 years — its drivers all hired on by the successor company.

Drive safe, and we'll see you tonight.