The trucking industry is no stranger to legal battles, and 2025 is shaping up to be another year of shifting regulations and challenges for carriers, owner-operators, and brokers alike. As a new presidential administration settles in, changes in federal policies and state laws could have major implications for the industry. At Z Transportation, we’re keeping a close eye on the most pressing legal issues that could impact carriers, drivers, and logistics operations this year.

Here are five key legal challenges facing the trucking industry in 2025:

For years, the debate over independent contractor (IC) classification has been a major point of contention. The rules governing whether an owner-operator can be classified as an independent contractor or must be considered an employee have fluctuated with different administrations.

With potential regulatory rollbacks under the new administration, many in the industry are hopeful that the federal stance will lean back toward a more business-friendly interpretation. However, at the state level, changes in classification laws—such as California’s portable benefits bills and other states eyeing similar legislation—continue to create uncertainty. The trucking industry will need to stay vigilant to navigate these evolving policies.

Accident liability remains a major legal and financial burden for trucking companies. The increasing trend of nuclear verdicts—cases where juries award excessively high settlements against trucking companies—has driven up insurance premiums, making it harder for smaller carriers to stay afloat.

Aggressive legal strategies, including “anchoring” tactics where plaintiff attorneys suggest high damage amounts to influence jury decisions, have made accident litigation riskier than ever. The industry has pushed for civil justice reform to curb excessive verdicts, and 2025 will be a critical year to see if these efforts gain traction.

As more states legalize marijuana, the trucking industry faces growing legal ambiguity surrounding drug and alcohol testing. Federal law under the Department of Transportation (DOT) still prohibits marijuana use for commercial drivers, but some states now restrict employers from penalizing workers for off-duty cannabis use.

This creates a legal gray area for carriers, especially for non-CDL drivers operating commercial vehicles. In addition, the federal government’s recent decision to reschedule marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III substance could further complicate policies. Carriers must stay updated on how these changes impact their hiring and testing protocols to avoid legal challenges.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) continues to explore updates to its safety regulations, which could impact carriers nationwide. Some of the anticipated regulatory shifts include:

• Modifications to the Safety Measurement System (SMS), which identifies high-risk carriers for intervention.
• Adjustments to the safety fitness determination process to improve how carriers are rated.
• Expansion of the crash preventability determination program, allowing carriers to challenge non-preventable accident classifications.
• A potential new appeals process for FMCSA data reviews (Data Qs), which could help carriers correct errors in their safety records.

If finalized, these changes could impact compliance requirements, so carriers should prepare for possible new safety standards.

With many trucking companies also operating brokerage services, legal scrutiny over broker transparency and liability has intensified. Plaintiff attorneys frequently target brokers in accident cases, arguing they negligently hired unsafe carriers. Federal courts remain divided on whether such claims are preempted by federal law, meaning legal uncertainty persists.

Meanwhile, the FMCSA has proposed tightening broker transparency rules, potentially requiring brokers to disclose transaction records within 48 hours of a carrier or shipper request. If finalized, this regulation could force brokers to adjust their agreements to maintain confidentiality while staying compliant.

As the trucking industry adapts to new legal and regulatory landscapes, carriers, brokers, and drivers must remain proactive. Staying informed, working with legal experts, and advocating for fair industry policies will be key to navigating these challenges.

At Z Transportation, we’re committed to keeping our network updated on industry trends and regulatory changes. As 2025 unfolds, we’ll continue to monitor these legal battles and share insights on how they impact our operations and the broader trucking community.