US motor carriers entered the summer of 2026 facing a cluster of federal compliance changes that affect testing, driver qualification, and hiring practices. A Department of Transportation final rule updating drug and alcohol testing terminology took effect on June 10. The rule adds a provision requiring directly observed urine collection in situations that currently call for oral fluid testing when oral fluid collection is not yet available at a site.
Federal regulators also reinforced existing policy on marijuana. Under the guidance, Medical Review Officers cannot reclassify a marijuana-positive result as negative based on a driver's use of a state-licensed product, and the agency continues to treat marijuana use as incompatible with safety-sensitive driving functions.
Driver qualification rules drew attention as well. On May 14, the Department of Labor issued new guidance on English language proficiency standards for employers hiring non-citizen commercial drivers through the labor certification process. The department began issuing notices of deficiency and halting applications that do not meet the proficiency standard.
Carriers are also tracking a California rebate program funded by the state Low Carbon Fuel Standard, which launched on June 26 with up to $250 million available this year. Compliance specialists advise fleets to review testing procedures, driver files, and hiring documentation before enforcement activity increases across the second half of the year.
Source: Trucksafe - https://trucksafe.com/post/compliance-regulatory-update-june-2026