Updates from Louisiana's Transportation Industry!

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

2025 Annual Sponsor

BERARD TRANSPORT

THIS WEEK
 

ASSOCIATION UPDATES

INDUSTRY UPDATES

MEMBER PROGRAMS 
 

ACT NOW: Louisiana Needs More Responses in ATRI Survey – Win Blanton’s Green Label Special Reserve Bourbon Whiskey

The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) has launched its 2025 Top Industry Issues Survey – and they want to hear from you. This annual survey helps identify the biggest challenges facing trucking and guides policy, research, and solutions that directly impact our businesses and professional drivers.

We need more participation in ATRI’s 2025 Top Industry Issues Survey to ensure Louisiana receives a specialized state report. This report is only produced if we reach enough responses — and right now, we’re only about halfway there. Your input is critical to highlight the unique concerns of Louisiana’s trucking industry. Please take the survey today and encourage others in your company to do the same so our state’s voice is fully represented.

Please encourage multiple people within your company to complete the survey – not just the owner. Anyone with a connection to the trucking industry, whether directly or indirectly, is encouraged to take part. 

Take the survey today: https://www.research.net/r/2025-TII-Survey 

As a thank you, everyone who completes the survey and leaves their email will be entered into a drawing for a bottle of Blanton’s Whiskey.

The survey closes October 10, 2025 – don’t miss your chance to make your voice count.
 

Year-Round Visibility: Become a 2026 LMTA Annual Sponsor

The Louisiana Motor Transport Association is excited to announce that 2026 Annual Sponsorships are now available and can be purchased online! 

 

By becoming an LMTA Annual Sponsor, your company will gain year-round visibility and exclusive recognition at every major LMTA event, including the Seafood Gala, Annual Convention, and Transportation Conference.

 

Annual Sponsors enjoy:

  • Complimentary registrations to LMTA’s signature events (depending on tier)
  • Prominent signage and recognition at all annual events
  • Features across LMTA communications—our website, Truck Talk Weekly Newsletter, LMTA app, and social media
  • Opportunities for enhanced exposure, from promotional videos to logo placement and speaker introductions (depending on tier)

With Gold, Silver, Bronze, and specialty sponsorships available, there’s a package to fit every company’s goals. Flexible monthly installment options make it simple to support LMTA and showcase your commitment to Louisiana’s trucking industry.

 

Available Packages:

For installment pricing or more information, please contact Burton Comeaux, Accounting Director – burton@lmta.la

 

Join us in supporting the voice of Louisiana’s trucking industry while promoting your company in front of industry leaders all year long.
 

Freightwaves Webinar with LMTA: The Lawsuit Business in Trucking - On-Demand
ICYMI: The transportation and logistics industry has been plagued by nuclear verdicts and social inflation.

A research project developed and initiated by Demotech, Inc., an insurer rating agency, unearthed the business model of tech-enabled claim instigation, as utilized by opportunists to secure contested or litigated claims through search engine optimization, pay-per-click, and other online tactics leveraged by AI platforms and litigation marketing firms.

This business model litigated several insurers to death in 2020, and, with the demise of Yellow Freight, Davies Trucking, and Carroll Fulmer, has the transportation industry in its sights.

The panel will dicussed the research project that led to the discovery of tech-enabled claim instigation, the types of litigation and contested claims that are adversely impacting operations, profitability and distribution of products as well as the intricacies of impacting and revising curative legislation.

 
 

ICYMI: Renee Amar on Radio Nemo - On-Demand
ICYMI: On Monday, LMTA Executive Director Renee Stelly Amar joined host Dave Nemo on the Dave Nemo Show to break down the legislation passed by Louisiana’s Legislature that impacts trucking.
 
From the intent behind each bill to its real-world application for truckers, Renee gave a clear look at what these changes mean for our industry.
 
 

2025 Legislative Logbook: How Louisiana Lawmakers Voted on Trucking Issues

The Louisiana Motor Transport Association (LMTA) is proud to share our 2025 Legislative Logbook--a comprehensive scorecard outlining how every Louisiana legislator voted on bills that directly impact the trucking industry.

Meet Our 2025 LMTA Road Warriors

Each year, LMTA honors two standout legislators--one from the Louisiana House and one from the Senate--who go above and beyond in their support of the trucking industry. Our 2025 Road Warriors are Rep. Emily Chenevert (District 66) and Sen. Blake Miguez (District 22). Both earned a perfect 100% score on our legislative scorecard and have been unwavering advocates for common-sense reform. These leaders not only voted with trucking--they led the charge.

This document is intended for everyone in Louisiana’s trucking community, whether or not you’re a current LMTA member. If you’re involved in moving goods, operating a fleet, or supporting the industry in any way, this resource is for you.

Inside the Scorecard:

  • Legislative vote records for every Louisiana House and Senate member

  • A summary of all bills tracked by LMTA this session

  • Recognition of legislative champions who led the push for reform

Download the full scorecard

Not sure who your lawmakers are? Find your legislator here

We encourage you to take a look at how your legislators voted—and follow up. If they stood with the trucking industry, thank them. If they didn’t, let them know how their decisions affect your business and livelihood.

Together, we can continue building a stronger, safer, and more competitive trucking industry in Louisiana.

To learn more about LMTA and how we advocate for trucking, visit https://www.lmta.la/advocacy/.
 

Updates to Louisiana Annual Oversize/Overweight Permits – Sept. 2025

The following information is provided directly from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD) regarding updates to the Annual Oversize/Overweight Permit ($2,500) that went into effect on September 2, 2025. Please review the details below to ensure compliance moving forward.

1) Route Registration Now Required

  • Obtain the annual permit as usual.
  • When you go to use the permit, select “+ Register Route.”
  • You’ll be taken to the Route Planner to enter your intended route.
  • Once approved, the route will appear under your Registered Routes.
  • This process is required so our system can analyze bridges along your route.

Grandfathering: Any permits issued before September 2, 2025 are grandfathered and do not require a route map. Permits issued on/after September 2, 2025 must include a registered route.

2) Tire Information Requirement (Effective September 10, 2025)

  • All permits must include tire size and number of tires per axle.
  • While many customers already provide this, it is now mandatory.
  • This data enables bridge and weight analysis within LADOTD’s system.

Need Assistance?

Permit Line: 800-654-1433 (option 1)

If you can’t get through, contact: DOTDLaGeauxPermits@LA.GOV

Julie Gautreau — Julie.Gautreau@LA.GOV

Chief Jeff Melchior — Jeff.Melchior@LA.GOV

We appreciate your cooperation with these updates, which help ensure safe and efficient travel across Louisiana’s roads and bridges.
 

Save the Date: 2026 Truck Driving Championship - June 19 - 20 | Hotel Room Block Open

We’re excited to announce that the 2026 Louisiana Truck Driving Championships will take place Friday, June 19 – Saturday, June 20, 2026 at the Cajundome in Lafayette, Louisiana.

This annual event brings together the best of Louisiana’s trucking professionals for two days of skill, safety, and camaraderie. In addition to the driving competition, we will also present the Louisiana Safety Awards, including:

  • 2026 Truck Driver of the Year
  • Safety Professional of the Year
  • 2026 Fleet Safety Awards

Applications for these awards will open in the spring of 2026.

More details coming soon: Registration, sponsorship opportunities, hotel information, and the full schedule will be released in the coming weeks—stay tuned for updates!

We can’t wait to see you in Lafayette for another great competition and to celebrate the outstanding professionals who keep our industry safe.

Hotel & Rooms

We are excited to announce that our official room block for the Louisiana Truck Driving Championships is now open! The Hilton Garden Inn Lafayette/Cajundome is the closest hotel to the Cajundome, offering unbeatable convenience for your stay.

Rooms are expected to fill quickly, so we strongly encourage you to book as soon as possible.

To reserve, simply use our group code TRUCK:

  • Online: Book Your Room Here
  • By Phone: Call 337.291.1977 and mention the group code TRUCK

Secure your room today and be right where the action is!

 
 

Industry Update: No Confirmation Required for DOTD Police Violations

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) has asked us to share the following clarification regarding violation reports issued by DOTD Police.

DOTD has observed that industry representatives are frequently mailing signed inspection reports—often via certified or priority mail—back to the Department in response to violations.

Please be advised:

  •  Corrective action notations or signed inspection reports do not need to be returned to DOTD Police. Submitting these materials creates unnecessary cost and administrative burden for carriers.
  •  In those cases, all required reporting and corrective procedures remain in place.
  •  Those processes remain unchanged and must continue to be followed as prescribed.

DOTD Police intends to include this clarification in facility literature and on future inspection reports. In the interim, please discontinue mailing corrective action confirmations for DOTD Police-only violations.

We appreciate your cooperation in ensuring compliance while also reducing unnecessary expenses and administrative effort. 
 

Emergency Declarations

All Emergency Declarations, Waivers, Exemptions and Permits

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/emergency-declarations

LMTA Member Exclusive Affinity Programs

The LMTA currently offers a variety of exclusive business partnerships and services to members of the association. Special member-only offers for our partners are listed below and can be found through your LMTA Info Hub under the "Resources" tab.

 

LMTA & WEX CARD

The Louisiana Motor Transport Association (LMTA) is excited to announce a rewarding affinity program partnership with WEX and their MasterCard product. Whether you use a physical WEX MasterCard, a Ghost Card for recurring payments, a Virtual Card for one-time payments, or integrate WEX MasterCard to handle all electronic payments, you can help the LMTA earn valuable rebates.

LEARN MORE

 

APP EMBARK

App Embark specializes in creating mobile apps for companies that allow employers to organize and communicate with their employees more efficiently and effectively. As part of our partnership with App Embark, LMTA members save $500 on the cost of the build fee!  

 

TO LEARN MORE OR SCHEDULE A DEMO, SELECT THE LINK BELOW IN YOUR MEMBER PORTAL.

 

Please note: Since these are exclusive member only offers, you will be directed to log into your Info Hub to view the details.
 
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