The fiscal 2026 funding legislation approved by Congress and signed into law by President Trump on Feb. 3 includes a number of key trucking industry provisions, including $200 million for new parking facilities. 

This measure marks the first time Congress has ever allocated funding exclusively for expanding truck parking capacity. 

A Department of Transportation study found that 98% of truck drivers regularly experience problems locating safe parking. The average driver sacrifices 56 minutes of driving time per day, resulting in $6,813 in lost wages annually, according to an analysis by the American Transportation Research Institute. 

“When truck drivers finish their shift or take their federally mandated rest break, the last thing they should have to worry about is finding a safe place to park. Unfortunately, chronic underinvestment in this essential infrastructure has resulted in severe shortages, making it extremely difficult for truck drivers to do their jobs and creating significant hazards for all motorists,” said ATA President & CEO Chris Spear. 

Additional funding law also includes provisions that: 

• Direct DOT to provide a report and develop a strategy to respond to cargo theft.
• Address distracted and impaired driving.
• Study the growing issue of predatory towing.
• Report on the availability and feasibility of technologies that could measure intoxication, including marijuana impairment.
• Demand the issuance of guidance that will allow motor carriers to use hair testing to detect drug use.
• Providing an update on the establishment of a national AV framework.
• Require a study on congestion pricing.
• Strengthen oversight of the Training Provider Registry.
• Enforce English language proficiency requirements.

“It’s common sense that truck drivers should demonstrate they can read critical road signs before getting behind the wheel of an 80,000 lb. vehicle on public roadways,” said Todd Spencer, president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association. “OOIDA has long advocated for stronger driver training standards and we appreciate this legislative action to make our roads safer for our members and the motoring public.”