Trucker Tales Daily: Dyed Diesel Patchwork, CDL School Fight, Penske Goes Private

Morning, Trucker Tales family. Six stories from the last 24 hours that touch your fuel tank, your paperwork, your wallet and your next truck.

⛽ Dyed Diesel Is Legal-ish Now — Until You Cross a State Line

Diesel is still running more than 70% above year-ago levels, and governors are rolling out their own relief. The IRS said October 14 it won't penalize dyed diesel used on highways from October 1 through December 31, but the federal tax itself was not waived.

Carmen Martorana Jr. of the International Fuel Tax Association says the federal order doesn't override state bans, so you could be fine in one state and fined the next. Texas has no expiration, Missouri allows all vehicles through December 31, Kentucky opened the door October 8, Georgia suspended diesel taxes through November 5, and Ohio dropped its tax to nearly zero from October 4 to January 2. Many other states limit relief to farm and forestry haulers, with deadlines starting October 22 in Louisiana.

Heading to Canada? You need authorization from the Canadian jurisdiction no matter what the U.S. states say.

What it means for you: Check every state on your route before you fill up red.

Source: Dyed diesel relief leaves carriers with state-by-state rules — Transport Topics, October 16, 2026

🏫 DOT vs. Overdrive: The CDL School Shutdown Fight Heats Up

DOT pushed back on Overdrive's reporting that schools shut down by a White House-led task force are being reinstated. A DOT spokesperson said, "No AI was used to identify the training providers that were issued the emergency removal."

A total of 110 schools were hit with emergency shutdowns. DOT counts more than 5,000 English-proficiency violations since June 2025 and nearly 10,000 training locations removed from the registry since January 2025; federal data analyzed by RigDig shows 38,189 ELP violations from July 2025 through September 2026. DOT did not deny that several schools have returned. Miami's Soler & Soler CDL School was reinstated after owner Eli Soler Negrin submitted proof including videos of instructors teaching English.

Trade groups that wanted the registry cleaned up have applauded the enforcement, though the task force has also sent proposed removal notices to some of their own members.

What it means for you: Verify a school's Training Provider Registry status before you hire, train or sponsor a new driver.

Source: DOT blasts Overdrive's reporting on 'sham' CDL school reinstatements — Overdrive, October 16, 2026

🔧 More Alaska "Deleters" Get Presidential Pardons

President Trump pardoned Zachary Czubak and Patrick Fleming, co-owners of an Anchorage diesel shop, at a midterm rally in Alaska this week. A third co-owner, Michael Hanzuk II, was pardoned September 3. A 2022 U.S. Attorney's Office release said the trio removed pollution controls on at least 37 vehicles between July 2019 and September 2020.

Each had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act and received five years' probation, a $66,000 fine and 180 hours of community service. Earlier this year Trump pardoned nine individuals and six businesses convicted of similar offenses.

What it means for you: Deleted trucks still carry inspection, resale and warranty risk. Dealers should keep documenting emissions-system condition on used units.

Source: More emissions 'deleters' pardoned by Trump — Overdrive, October 16, 2026

💳 Fleet Owner Pleads Guilty to $2.1 Million Bust-Out Scheme

Hasan Korkmaz, owner of San Diego Logistics Group in Santee, California, pleaded guilty October 15 to all 18 counts: bank fraud, money laundering and aggravated identity theft. In 2022 and 2023 he ran a credit-card bust-out scheme using stolen personal information, causing more than $2,103,000 in losses to two banks.

Sentencing is set for January 8, 2027, with a maximum of 30 years on the bank fraud counts. FMCSA's Motus database lists the company's USDOT number as inactive.

What it means for you: Vet who you lease to, finance with or sell to — check USDOT status and company history.

Source: More emissions 'deleters' pardoned by Trump (fleet fraud item) — Overdrive, October 16, 2026

🏢 Penske Automotive Goes Private in a $16.3 Billion Deal

Penske Automotive Group agreed to be taken private by Motown Acquisition Corp. Public shareholders get $212.00 per share in cash, an 8.84% premium to the October 14 close. Penske Corporation will own about 64% and Mitsui & Co. 36%.

A special committee of independent directors unanimously recommended the deal. Closing is expected in Q1 2027, pending regulatory approvals and shareholder votes. The company's operations include Penske Truck Leasing, Penske Logistics, Epes Transport Systems and Penske Vehicle Services.

What it means for you: Dealers should watch competitor strategy and used-truck pricing; anyone leasing from Penske should watch for program notices in 2027.

Source: Penske Automotive Group to be taken private — CCJ, October 16, 2026

🧪 Off-Duty Random Drug Tests: FMCSA Is Looking at It

FMCSA confirmed October 15 that trucker Nathan Weidert's petition, asking the agency to bar carriers from ordering random drug screens when a driver is off duty, is under consideration (docket FMCSA-2021-0054). It's one of more than 30 driver-led petitions, alongside a request for carbon monoxide detectors in sleeper trucks.

Weidert was selected for a random test by a company he no longer worked for; it reported a refusal to the Clearinghouse. After appeals, FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs wrote that he was working for another employer at the time and corrected his record. There is no public comment yet, and FMCSA can grant or deny a petition without it.

What it means for you: A Clearinghouse refusal can sideline an owner-op fast. Keep records of who employs you and when.

Source: Off-duty randoms, CO detection: Where two recent driver-led rule petitions might be headed — Overdrive, October 16, 2026

⚖️ $9.4 Million Verdict Against a Wyoming Intermediary

A Los Angeles County jury found Oak Sourcing & Logistics LLC and managing member Matthew John Sandvig liable for intentional misrepresentation, awarding about $9.397 million to glove importer Ashtel Studios. Ashtel said it was told the firm held an $800 million PPE contract, which led to two glove deals worth $14.7 million combined.

On the second deal, 1 million boxes at $9.50 each, Ashtel says payment never completed and was tied to money from a downstream customer that turned out to be another intermediary. FreightWaves notes court records don't establish that Oak operated as a federally licensed freight broker.

What it means for you: Payment tied to someone else's payment is a red flag. Check licensing and get terms in writing.

Source: Jury hits Wyoming logistics broker with $9.4M fraud verdict — FreightWaves, October 16, 2026