The Morning Mile — Tuesday, Oct. 6

Good morning, drivers. Here is what you need to know to start Tuesday, October 6.

Historic diesel-tax deferral: President Trump signed an executive order Monday evening opening tax-free red-dyed diesel to highway use and deferring the $0.244-per-gallon federal diesel tax through Dec. 31 — no interest, no penalties. About $60 on a 250-gallon fill, over $100 where states match.

14-hour clock-pause pilot advances: FMCSA filed its Split Duty Period study plan — 256 drivers, 16 weeks, up to 3 hours of paused 14-hour window using off-duty, sleeper, or on-duty time at pickup and delivery. Comments due Dec. 7.

Quarter-end rate pop: DAT's weekly numbers show van spot at $3.13 a mile, up $0.11, with load posts up 9% and truck posts down 8%. DAT's Dean Croke calls it a calendar push, not a demand shift.