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Why Truck Parking Remains a Top Industry Concern

Truck parking can be a challenge in the trucking industry, and it continues to rank high in the annual report Critical Issues in the Trucking Industry from the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI). It has appeared on the list since 2012, and was the fourth highest-ranking issue of overall industry concern in ATRI’s 2025 report. Among driver concerns, it ranked as the second most critical industry issue.

Concerns over parking have increased due to hours of service and electronic logging mandates, which are causing more drivers to look for parking at the same time. ATRI estimates that there is just one truck parking space nationally for every 11 truck drivers.

“The repercussions of the truck parking shortage can include delayed product deliveries, impaired driver safety and wellness, decreased productivity stemming from drivers ending revenue trips early, and a host of negative externalities, including unnecessary emissions and heightened safety risks for all road users,” ATRI wrote in its report Expanding Truck Parking at Public Rest Areas.

ATRI issued several proposed strategies to address parking concerns, including advocating for a dedicated federal funding program designed to increase truck parking capacity at freight-critical locations, encouraging local and regional governments to reduce the regulatory burdens limiting the construction and expansion of truck parking facilities near major metropolitan areas, and supporting state department of transportation applications for U.S. DOT grants to expand truck parking.

Truck Parking Technologies

There are several technology-based systems currently available to help drivers find parking. The free Penske Driver™ app allows drivers to locate and get contact information for nearby parking locations.

Other apps that provide parking information include Trucker Path and the DAT One Mobile App.

The Mid America Association of State Transportation Officials (MAATSO) initiative unites eight Midwestern states in the nation's first Regional Truck Parking Information Management System. The Truck Parking Information Management System (TPIMS) has been deployed along high-volume freight corridors through Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. The states collect and broadcast real-time parking availability to drivers through various media outlets, including dynamic signs, smartphone applications and traveler information websites.

American Truck Parking, a federally and state-funded project run through the University of California at Berkeley, has partnered with several government parking projects that track real-time parking info, including MAATSO, and shares it on its website, combining it all in one place. It also collects data on private truck stops.

Several large truck stops, including TravelCenters of America, Love’s and Pilot Flying J, provide parking information via their apps and allow drivers to reserve parking spaces.

Common Questions

Why is truck parking such a major issue in the trucking industry?

Truck parking remains a top industry concern due to a nationwide shortage of available spaces. With more drivers needing to stop at similar times because of hours-of-service regulations, demand often exceeds supply. Limited parking can impact delivery schedules, driver safety and overall productivity.

How many truck parking spaces are available in the U.S.?

According to industry research, there is approximately one truck parking space for every 11 truck drivers nationally, highlighting the scale of the shortage and the challenge drivers face when planning rest breaks.

What technology helps truck drivers find parking?

Several tools provide real-time truck parking information. The Penske Driver™ app allows drivers to locate nearby parking and contact facilities. Other mobile apps and regional systems share real-time availability data, and some major truck stops allow drivers to reserve spaces in advance.

How does the truck parking shortage affect safety and compliance?

When drivers struggle to find parking, they may end trips early, park in unsafe areas or spend additional time searching for available spaces. This can increase safety risks, reduce productivity and complicate compliance with hours-of-service requirements.

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The Rules Behind CDL and Non-CDL Trucks

It might seem like the only difference between a CDL truck and non-CDL truck is the size and capacity, but determining the best option goes beyond size and has an impact on labor costs, regulatory requirements and operational flexibility. Here are some of the top questions fleets and drivers are asking as they decide which trucks best fit their operations.

What Is a CDL and When Is It Needed?

CDL is short for commercial driver’s license, and it is required to drive certain vehicles. A CDL requires a greater amount of driver training that is needed for a typical Class D driver’s license for driving a passenger vehicle. CDLs require specialized testing, ongoing compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements, and drivers may need additional certifications for handling specific types of freight and vehicle classes.

What Are the Different Classes of Commercial Driver’s Licenses?

Within the CDL category, commercial licenses are divided into three main classes:

  • Class A licenses apply to combination vehicles with a combined gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, such as tractor-trailers.
  • Class B licenses cover single vehicles over 26,001 pounds, including large box trucks, dump trucks and buses.
  • Class C licenses are required for smaller vehicles that transport hazardous materials or large numbers of passengers.

Each class may include additional endorsements for specialized cargo or vehicle types.

What Is the Difference Between a CDL Truck and a Non-CDL Truck?

The difference comes down to the truck’s regulatory classification and the GVWR, which is the maximum loaded weight allowed. A CDL truck is defined by federal and state law as a commercial vehicle with a GVWR that exceeds 26,001 pounds, carries large numbers of passengers or hauls regulated freight, such as hazardous materials. A non-CDL truck falls below those regulatory thresholds so it can be driven with a standard driver’s license, even if it is used for business purposes.

Here are some typical breakdowns:

Truck Category Typical Vehicles Included GVWR CDL Required
Light-duty 12 foot cargo vans; high-roof cargo vans; 12 and 16 foot box trucks; 16 and 18 foot cabover trucks Not specified but generally under 10,000 pounds No
Medium-duty 22 or 26 foot box trucks; 18 or 26 foot refrigerated trucks; 24 or 26 foot flatbed trucks 26,000 pounds or less No
Medium-duty 22 or 26 foot box trucks; 18 or 26 foot refrigerated trucks; 24 or 26 foot flatbed trucks 26,001 pounds or more Yes
Heavy-duty Single-axle and tandem-axle day cab tractors; tandem-axle sleeper cab tractors; 48 and 53 foot trailers Heavy-duty range, typically 33,001 or more Yes

How Can Two Trucks That Are the Same Size Require Different Licenses?

This happens the most in the medium-duty segment. Two trucks that are physically identical may be built or configured differently, resulting in different GVWRs. A single pound is the difference between a truck anyone can drive and one that requires a CDL. If one truck is rated at 26,000 pounds, it can typically be driven without a CDL. Increase that rating to 26,001 pounds requires a CDL. The distinction often comes down to axle ratings, suspension components or intended hauling capacity, not how the truck looks.

Are There any Restrictions on Non-CDL Trucks?

Yes. While non-CDL trucks avoid certain federal requirements, they are not unregulated. Drivers must still meet age requirements, comply with state traffic and commercial vehicle laws, and have the proper insurance. Some non-CDL vehicles may still be subject to DOT inspections and log-keeping requirements. Rental and leasing companies, including Penske, typically have age requirements for commercial trucks.

Can Using Non-CDL Trucks Help Expand the Driver Pool?

Yes. Qualified CDL drivers are hard to find in some areas, and many companies are redesigning delivery routes and payloads to fit within non-CDL limits, especially for local and regional applications. Removing CDL requirements allows businesses to tap a larger pool of drivers and reduce some of the regulatory complexity associated with CDL operations. Non-CDL vehicles can also serve as an entry point for organizations that want to expand from within. Companies can invest in training to move non-CDL drivers into CDL roles.

What’s the Most Important Thing To Know Before Choosing Between a CDL and Non-CDL Truck?

Deciding which type of truck will work best is as much about understanding the available workforce and regulatory requirements as it is about capacity needs. Choosing the right vehicle means understanding not just what needs to be moved, but who will legally be allowed to do it, how easily those drivers can be hired or trained, and what regulatory obligations the business has to follow once the truck is on the road.

Work With Penske

Penske can work with customers to find the best rental or leased vehicles for their needs and priorities. Contact 1-844-847-9519 to speak to a specialist.

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How Leasing Helps Fleets Stay Ready for Peak Season

Seasonal surges, whether in retail, agriculture or another segment of the industry, increase demand for capacity. Even if fleets aren’t handling freight directly related to a peak season, they may be affected by the overall shift in the market. Leasing can be a strategic solution to help fleets ramp up to maintain service levels or take advantage of increased business.

Improve Uptime With Proactive Maintenance and Support

Downtime during peak season can lead to signficant operational losses and hurt a fleet's reputation, impacting future business. Penske's full-service leases include data-driven preventive maintenance that analyzes specifications and trends unique to each individual fleet. Technicians customize maintenance and proactively address potential issues before they lead to downtime. Penske's team also monitors information coming from the vehicle and determines which codes are critical and which can wait until the next scheduled service. If over-the-road repairs are needed, Penske has a 24/7 roadside assistance team and can provide replacement vehicles.

Preserve Working Capital

Peak season often brings higher operational costs, including driver pay, fuel and maintenance. Leasing allows fleets to access late-model, reliable trucks without significant upfront capital expenses. Full-service leases also give fleets locked-in monthly costs that include maintenance and, if necessary, replacement vehicles. They also eliminate many of the hidden costs associated with owning, such as taxes and licensing. Having set costs helps fleets conserve capital for essential expenses during the busiest months of the year.

Access the Latest Equipment and Technology

Seasonal surges increase the need for efficiency. Leasing provides access to newer, more fuel-efficient trucks equipped with the latest on-board technology, advanced safety systems and driver comfort features. Combined, these can improve driver satisfaction, decrease risk and reduce overall operating costs. For example, the 2025 National Private Truck Council Benchmarking Survey says that due to shorter trade cycles, fleets who rely on leasing have a fuel economy of 7.24 miles per gallon compared to 6.84 for fleets that own most of their equipment.

Access Data-Driven Insights

Running a fleet today requires data and benchmarking. Advanced analytics platforms, such as Penske's Catalyst AI™, enable fleets to track performance across both peak and off-peak cycles and compare their operations to similar fleets. By reviewing the data, fleet managers can identify underutilized assets, make vehicle-level and hub-level comparisons, and identify the specific metrics that matter the most to their business, enabling them to control costs and increase efficiency during peak seasons.

Lease With Penske

Tracking peak seasons and getting ahead of demand early ensures capacity is available before the rush. It also allows fleets to lock in predictable costs early. Penske can work with fleets to add more leased units or transition from ownership to leasing through its Sell2Lease program.

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