How Truckers' Push for Guaranteed Overtime Pay Could Transform the Industry

The trucking industry, a vital backbone of the American economy, is on the brink of a significant transformation as truckers advocate for guaranteed overtime pay. This initiative comes in response to the challenging working conditions and demanding hours that have long characterized the profession.

With many drivers working beyond the traditional 40-hour workweek without additional compensation, the push for overtime pay seeks to address longstanding issues of fairness and sustainability within the industry. Advocates argue that implementing guaranteed overtime would not only provide much-needed financial relief for drivers but also enhance safety and job satisfaction, potentially reducing turnover rates and the chronic driver shortage plaguing the sector.

Moreover, this movement could catalyze broader changes in trucking regulations and labor laws, prompting a reevaluation of how the industry compensates its workforce. As stakeholders from various sectors—including drivers, companies, and policymakers—engage in this pivotal conversation, the implications of such a policy shift could be profound, reshaping the economic landscape of trucking and setting new standards for labor practices across the nation. This article explores the potential impact of guaranteed overtime pay on the trucking industry, examining both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Renewed Push After Missed Opportunity in Recent Legislation

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) is once again pressing Congress to repeal a longstanding labor provision that exempts trucking company employers from paying drivers overtime. This renewed effort follows OOIDA’s disappointment in July, when Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed into law by President Trump on July 4 without addressing the issue.

While the sweeping bill introduced major tax and regulatory changes, it failed to close the overtime pay gap for truck drivers. Instead, the legislation included a “no tax on overtime” provision for blue-collar workers. Unfortunately, this benefit does not extend to truck drivers because of the exemption under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938. Since motor carriers are not legally required to pay overtime, truck drivers remain excluded from this new tax relief.

OOIDA emphasizes that this oversight is unfair, especially given the significant contributions of professional drivers to the U.S. economy. An OOIDA spokesperson stated, “Over 20% of OOIDA’s membership is employee drivers. Their time should be valued just like nearly every other blue-collar worker in the United States of America.”

GOT Truckers Act: A Path Toward Change

With Congress passing the recent tax bill without amending the FLSA, OOIDA has shifted its focus back to the Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers (GOT) Act. This bipartisan proposal seeks to eliminate the exemption that prevents truck drivers from receiving overtime pay. If passed, it would guarantee time-and-a-half pay for drivers working more than 40 hours a week, including those affected by traffic congestion, adverse weather, or delays at loading docks.

The GOT Truckers Act has faced hurdles in the past. Similar legislation introduced in 2022 and 2023 did not advance out of committee. However, this year, bipartisan support has emerged again. U.S. Reps. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) and Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) reintroduced the House version, while Sens. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) reintroduced the companion bill in the Senate.

OOIDA leadership stresses that this is the right moment for Congress to act. Todd Spencer, President of OOIDA, declared, “It’s time for Congress to fix a nearly century-old oversight by passing the bipartisan GOT Truckers Act and ensure truckers are eligible for both overtime pay and the tax relief extended to other blue-collar workers.”

Safety Concerns Linked to Lack of Overtime Pay

OOIDA also argues that exempting truck drivers from overtime pay has direct safety implications. Without guaranteed overtime compensation, shippers and receivers often excessively detain truckers at loading docks. These delays, in turn, create fatigue and heightened accident risks. The group cites a 2018 U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Office of Inspector General report, which found that if a truck spends just 15 minutes longer than usual at a facility, the accident rate rises by 6.2%.

The Truck Safety Coalition (TSC), which advocates for crash victims and their families, also supports eliminating the overtime exemption. Commenting on the FMCSA’s ongoing detention time survey, TSC argued that repealing the exemption aligns with a 2022 DOT Supply Chain Report recommendation. The group stated, “Implementing this DOT recommendation will better compensate truck drivers who are currently not required to be paid overtime by their employers. Any holistic solution to reduce truck crashes must include improving truck driver work conditions, salary, and benefits.”

These findings reinforce OOIDA’s position that the lack of overtime pay is not just an economic issue but also a public safety concern. By changing the pay structure, advocates believe both driver welfare and highway safety could improve.

Opposition From Trucking Employers

While driver advocates and safety organizations push for reform, many trucking employers remain opposed to the GOT Truckers Act. Industry groups argue that such a change would negatively impact both pay models and the broader economy.

American Trucking Associations (ATA) President Chris Spear dismissed the proposal, calling it “nothing more than a thinly-veiled attempt to boost trial attorneys’ fees.” Spear argued that eliminating the exemption would reduce drivers’ take-home pay rather than increase it, while also “decimating trucking jobs by upending the pay models that for 85 years have provided family-sustaining wages while growing the U.S. supply chain.”

This opposition sets up a clash between driver advocacy groups demanding fairer treatment and industry leaders concerned about long-term cost structures and labor models. The debate reflects deep divisions over how best to balance driver compensation, safety, and the financial health of carriers.

Conclusion: A Debate With Broad Implications

The push to repeal the overtime exemption for truck drivers highlights a pivotal debate within the trucking industry and beyond. Advocates like OOIDA and TSC emphasize fairness and safety, pointing out that truckers deserve equal treatment and protection under labor laws. They argue that overtime pay would not only provide economic justice but also help reduce accident risks tied to excessive detention and long hours.

On the other hand, major trucking employers, represented by the ATA, warn of unintended consequences, including reduced paychecks and threats to industry stability. As Congress revisits the GOT Truckers Act, the outcome will shape both driver livelihoods and the operational future of the supply chain. Whether lawmakers ultimately side with drivers or employers, the debate underscores the critical importance of compensation, safety, and labor equity in one of America’s most essential industries.

Stay Informed and Supported in the Fight for Fair Trucking Standards

The debate over truck driver overtime pay highlights just how important it is for drivers to be valued and supported—not only in wages but also in compliance and safety. At Labworks USA, we are committed to helping truck drivers and carriers stay compliant with DOT regulations, including random drug and alcohol testing, so they can focus on the bigger issues shaping their livelihoods.

If you need assistance with DOT drug and alcohol testing or FMCSA Clearinghouse registration, our friendly team at Labworks USA is here to guide you every step of the way. And if you want to stay updated on legislative changes, trucking trends, and compliance best practices, stay connected with us for actionable insights that matter to drivers and the entire industry.

Tags: Fair Labor Standards Act, supply chain, truck drivers, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, Overtime for truckers, Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act, GOT Truckers Act, American Trucking Associations, Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, Truck Safety Coalition, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Department of Transportation, road safety, overtime compensation, big trucking, long hours, House of Representatives, overtime wages, Institute for Safer Trucking, driver shortage, One Big Beautiful Bill, Teamsters union, President Trump, Donald Trump, traffic congestion, loading docks, congested ports, Senate Bill 3273, Tax Reform, One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Motor Carrier Exemption, USDOT Secretary, Truckload Carriers Association, Department of Labor, Nebraska Government, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, detention time, federal law, Supply Chain Assessment, Senator Alex Padilla, commercial motor vehicle, safety-related driving suspensions, Chapter 11 bankruptcy, wide load, Trucking news, Denver International Airport, Trucker Overtime Pay Bill, FLSA motor carrier overtime exemption, House Bill 6359, Final Rule, Guaranteed pay, hourly pay system, Qualified Business Income, bonus depreciation, estate tax exemption, per diem tax deduction, House Ways and Means, Senate Finance, DOT Supply Chain Report, Cargo Transporters, Best Fleets, Commercial Carrier Journal, Missouri Department of Transportation, Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, Towing and Recovery Review Board, International Driver Excellence Award, Guggenheim Partners Investment Management, long-haul truck drivers, long-haul trucking, truckload drivers, employee truck drivers, driver detention, multi-stop loads, transportation sector, labor shortages, delivery efficiency, supply chain chaos, freight market, driver hours, detention pay, 529 accounts, Senator Ed Markey, FMCSA Clearinghouse, DOT Consortium, highway safety, truck crashes, location intelligence, Liquid Trucking, Electronic Logging Devices, Guarantee Overtime Pay for Truckers, Takano Reintroduces Bipartisan Legislation, Guaranteing Overtime for Truckers Act, prorated pay, Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien, over time, detaining truckers, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, U.S. Representative Jeff Van Drew, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, Yellow Corp.