The trucking industry is always evolving, with regulatory changes and technological advancements that are changing how carriers operate. In 2025, there will be big changes to the industry. Staying compliant while maintaining a healthy cash flow has become more important than ever.
TBS takes a look at the 2025 trucking compliance changes, and how freight factoring can help companies navigate these requirements successfully.
7 Trucking Compliance Changes to Prepare for Now
New Expansions of the Crash Preventability Determination Program (CPDP)
In 2025, FMCSA plans to expand its Crash Preventability Determination Program, by adding four new crash types that are eligible for review in the submission process. The CPDP allows carriers to contest crash events that are considered not preventable by the carrier. This new expansion includes not-preventable crashes in the following categories:
- A vehicle that is traveling in the same direction as the commercial motor vehicle struck the truck on the side
- Collisions that are a result of another motorist losing control of their motor vehicle
- Crashes where there is video evidence supporting a sequence of events that proves the CMV operator acted in a responsible manner and could not have reasonably prevented the crash
- Collisions as a result of a motorist entering the roadway from a parking lot or private driveway
The goal of this expansion is to provide more accurate data on driver safety performance.
Required Speed Limiters on Trucks
2025 brings new rulings about requiring commercial vehicles weighing more than 26,000 pounds to be equipped with electronic engine controls that are capable of governing speed.
The proposed regulation, which is expected to be implemented in late spring or early summer of 2025, would require trucks to use speed limiters, although the maximum speed allowed is yet to be defined by the regulation. Many safety advocates are pushing for a maximum limit of 65 mph, although safety in high-speed zones is a factor that needs to be taken into consideration.
Requirements for Automatic Emergency Braking Systems (AEB)
The FMCSA, partnered with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), has proposed a mandate that requires all new commercial trucks to be equipped with automatic braking systems in 2025. The mandate would apply specifically to vehicles that are Class 3 or larger. Once passed, existing Class 3 or larger commercial trucks would have up to three years to implement automatic emergency braking systems.
The goal of this mandate is to help prevent tens of thousands of crashes that happen annually by equipping large commercial vehicles with AEB systems that can detect objects ahead and automatically apply brakes if the driver either fails to or is unable to respond.
Upcoming Changes in Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse Compliance
In late 2024, it was decided that the FMCSA would require enhanced reporting requirements for the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. The final ruling is to revoke or deny drivers with prohibited status in the FMCSA Clearinghouse of their CDLs and CLPs. Drivers with a prohibited status must complete an official return to duty process before they’re able to resume their duties and clear the prohibited status from their record.
Employers of freight drivers are required to conduct queries at least annually for all CDL drivers and maintain records of all queries performed.
Results that require drivers to follow the return to duty process include:
- Verified positive drug screens
- An alcohol concentration of 0.04 for higher
- Refusing to be tested
- Submitted test results that have been altered or contaminated in any way
- Any other known violation of drug and alcohol testing rules put in place by the Department of Transportation
USDOT Identification and MC Number Elimination
The FMCSA is moving toward eliminating MC numbers in favor of using only USDOT numbers for carrier identification by October 2025. This change is aimed at streamlining the registration processes, reducing confusion, and most importantly, preventing fraud.
Prior to this, carriers operated with both the MC numbers and USDOT numbers, which has opened a door to record-keeping inconsistencies, and the potential for identity fraud. This switch improves regulatory enforcement, as well as making records more transparent. It’s estimated that these changes will save the industry millions of dollars annually in administration costs.
While October may feel like it’s off in the distance, now is the time for carriers to take steps toward this transition by ensuring that all documentation is in place and up to date.
Changes to CSA scores
This year, the FMCSA plans to integrate some significant changes into the Compliance, Safety, and Accountability program. The updated system will use a much more dynamic approach to calculating safety ratings and incorporating real-time data, as well as machine learning algorithms. The changes will affect how carriers are evaluated across all of the Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories.
Según el Insurance Institute for FMCSA, this includes reorganized basics, focusing on motor carriers who have elevated crash rates with the goal of pinpointing unsafe behaviors, as well as reorganizing roadside violation codes, among other initiatives.
Telematics Integration for Compliance Monitoring in Real-Time
The FMCSA is implementing new requirements for telematics integrations, which will enable real-time compliance monitoring in 2025. This change requires carriers to use advanced telematics systems that are capable of transmitting compliance data directly to regulatory authorities.
The systems will monitor hours of service, driver behavior, and vehicle maintenance. According to this report, telematics and GPS fleet tracking generate positive outcomes such as an increase in efficiency, improved driver safety, reduction in poor driving behaviors, and reduced vehicle idling.
The Financial Impact of Compliance
For truck drivers and fleet operators, meeting these compliance requirements comes with financial challenges for trucking companies. From equipment upgrades and replacements to technology investments and certification costs, there are many ways these changes can impose additional expenses and place a greater financial burden on carriers.
For small and medium-sized carriers, these costs can add up and create serious cash-flow challenges – sometimes to the point where the ability to maintain operations is threatened.
How Freight Factoring Provides Solutions
Freight factoring is an important tool for carriers facing the financial aspect of compliance changes and challenges. Instead of waiting thirty or sixty days for customer payments, carriers can access the majority of their invoice value within 24 hours with freight factoring.
The immediate cash flow helps companies meet their financial obligations, including payroll, fuel costs, and the investment required for compliance upgrades and maintaining operations while the new regulations are put into place.
As compliance changes are put into place, factoring can help businesses scale. Unlike traditional financing options, factoring doesn’t require long-term contracts and it provides funding that is based on invoice volume.
This is the type of flexibility that allows carriers to adjust their financing according to business cycles, without the worry of adding unnecessary debt to their balance sheets.
Real-Life Example of Freight Factoring in Play
Let’s consider a medium-sized carrier with twenty trucks that needs to upgrade its feel to meet 2025 compliance standards. On average, let’s say the estimated cost is $20,000 per truck. This equals a $400,000 expense that would be nearly impossible to manage without a traditional loan.
Freight factoring can help the company maintain a steady cash flow for daily operations while financing the necessary upgrades gradually through the money that is already coming in.
This helps to keep credit lines open for true financial emergencies and reduces the chances of operational disruptions.
Choosing a Freight Factoring Partner in 2025
When choosing a freight factoring partner, look for one that specializes in transportation and understands compliance requirements, like TBS Factoring. We offer freight factoring that provides the financial flexibility needed to maintain operation efficiency.
As technology advances and regulatory requirements become more stringent, our freight factoring services are here to help you maintain a healthy cash flow. Contact us at TBS today to learn more.