Candidate has no trucking industry experience
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg has announced the appointment of Vinn White to replace Robin Hutcheson, the FMCSA administrator who resigned in January. Until White is confirmed by the U.S. Senate, he will serve as the deputy administrator. Prior to joining FMCSA, White was responsible for DOT initiatives on emerging transportation technologies, including those related to automated driving systems.
White served as DOT’s acting assistant secretary of transportation and deputy assistant secretary in 2016. He has also served as DOT’s acting chief artificial intelligence (AI) officer, overseeing the development and use of AI based on administration policies and priorities.
Prior to his federal government service, White served as a senior advisor to New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. During that time he worked on transportation and mobility issues in collaboration with the NJ Department of Transportation, the Motor Vehicle Commission, NJ Transit and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Interestingly, the future FMCSA administrator has no trucking experience.
For truckers, testing for marijuana continues. Just as with testing for cocaine, amphetamines, PCP, and opioids, testing for marijuana will continue to be conducted on a pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, and return-to-duty basis.
As temperatures rise, so do the risks associated with tires, brakes, and overall vehicle condition. Summer heat doesn’t just stress drivers, it amplifies mechanical weaknesses, making maintenance and inspections more important than ever.
The 2026 road construction season is going to be one of the largest in U.S. history and anyone using the roads should be prepared for what’s coming.