Here are the headlines from this week in trucking as of Aug. 13:

FMCSA is pursuing a rulemaking to codify English proficiency requirements

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA's) English Language Proficiency (ELP) enforcement could be here to stay. The agency published a notice of proposed rulemaking to formally establish the ELP requirement for out-of-service violations

Federal regulations already state that commercial vehicle drivers must be able to communicate in English, but roadside enforcement of that standard has so far been decided outside of the formal rulemaking process. If this rulemaking passes as a final rule in the future, it would make it much more difficult for future administrations to repeal the practice.

Proficient Auto Logistics is acquiring Hansen & Adkins for $130 million

Proficient Auto Logistics will acquire Hansen & Adkins to create North America’s largest auto hauler—a major consolidation in the auto hauler market. The combined entity will own more than 1,350 tractors across over 90 locations. The acquisition also marks Proficient’s entry into Canada.

Trimble is talking about selling its transportation unit

The rumors are true: Technology company Trimble is considering cutting the transportation part of its business. In its latest quarterly earnings report, the company acknowledged that multiple unnamed parties are interested in acquiring its Transportation & Logistics unit.

Rob Painter, Trimble’s president and CEO, said that the company “will undertake a strategic review to evaluate third-party interest.” The company’s transportation solutions include transportation management, routing optimization, and maintenance platforms, among others.

In the spot market, rates keep falling

Overall broker-posted spot rates fell for a fifth week in a row, according to FTR Transportation Intelligence, down 5 cents to an average $3.27 per mile. While dry van and flatbed rates fell, refrigerated rates increased slightly.

In fuel, diesel fell by 9 cents

The national average on-highway diesel price declined for the first time in a while, down to $5.26 per gallon, according to weekly data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). However, the latest data from AAA indicates that diesel prices spiked up to $5.40. The Iran War continues.