“Commercial truck drivers are not only at the center of the supply chain industry, but they also act as vigilant guardians of the roads, ready to assist others in need,” stated Joe Burke, vice president of Goodyear North America Commercial business. “For over four decades, the Goodyear Highway Hero Award program has celebrated remarkable contributions of professional truck drivers who have acted selflessly for the good of others on the road.”

If you know a truck driver whose story reflects outstanding courage or compassion, now is the time to put their name forward. The nomination period is open until December 31, and submissions are invited from CDL holders in various capacities, including long-haul, regional delivery, vocational vehicles, and dump trucks. Since it started in 1983, the award has acknowledged those who not only carry out their daily tasks but also enhance highway safety for all.

Award winners and finalists will be honored in 2025, with exciting prizes set for these exceptional individuals. The ultimate winner will receive a cash prize and an unforgettable ride on the legendary Goodyear Blimp. Finalists will also be rewarded with cash prizes in recognition of their commendable actions.

Eligibility Criteria and Nomination Process

To be eligible, nominees should be:

• Full-time commercial drivers with a current CDL

• Residents of either the United States or Canada

• Operators of vehicles with rim sizes exceeding 19 inches

• Recognized for an act of heroism conducted while on duty between January 1 and December 31, 2024

A panel of judges will thoroughly review all nominations, selecting the Highway Hero and up to two finalists based on approved submissions.

For more information, access nomination forms, and review complete eligibility criteria, visit Goodyear’s official Highway Hero Award webpage here.

This initiative reflects Goodyear’s profound respect for the trucking sector, honoring the vital contributions of professional drivers in maintaining road safety and ensuring the seamless operation of supply chains.

Source: The Trucker

The post Goodyear Opens Nominations for 41st Highway Hero Award appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Starting November 18, state driver licensing authorities will be mandated to revoke the CDL or CLP privileges of individuals listed as “prohibited” in the FMCSA’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. To regain these privileges, affected drivers must meet “return-to-duty requirements.”

The FMCSA’s updates to the Clearinghouse rules were implemented in two phases. The first phase, effective from 2020, obligated employers to check the Clearinghouse for drug and alcohol violations among current and potential employees before allowing them behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle. Employers must also perform annual checks on current employees.

The second phase enforces state driver licensing agencies to:

• Access the Clearinghouse before issuing, renewing, upgrading, or transferring CDLs and before issuing or upgrading CLPs.

• Examine a driver’s records upon receiving notification from FMCSA about a status change in the Clearinghouse.

FMCSA asserts that this rule “will improve the enforcement of the current driving prohibition by requiring that states refrain from issuing, renewing, transferring or upgrading the CLP or CDL of affected drivers.”

According to the September 2024 Clearinghouse Report, 178,839 CLP and CDL holders currently have a prohibited status, with 136,224 yet to initiate the return-to-duty process.

After the November 18 compliance deadline, drivers maintaining a prohibited status may face fines or other obligations imposed by the state of their CDL issuance before resuming their commercial driving rights.

It’s crucial to understand that the compliance date signifies when states must adhere to the new rule, not necessarily when they will start downgrading licenses. States with legislative permission can voluntarily query the Clearinghouse and downgrade the licenses of prohibited drivers before the official compliance date.

The CMCI, part of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association’s drug and alcohol consortium, notes that states such as Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina, and Texas have already initiated this process.

Source: Land Line

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