TRUCKERS: What certifications do you hold?
84%
SmartWay
Trucking companies have a range of certifications to consider for their business, and they vary in which ones they gravitate toward. SmartWay, a voluntary designation oered through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for improving fuel eciency and reducing environmental emissions, is the most popular of the certifications at 84%. HazMat remains an important area of emphasis for many truckers, and 78% have HazMat certification. Other certifications held by more than half of the companies include C-TPAT (Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism), a voluntary supply chain security oering managed by U.S. Customers and Border Protection, cited by 56% of truckers, and CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability), a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration certificate that 53% of respondents hold. The prominent part that California plays in the industry is reflected in the fact that 49% of truckers say that they hold CARB (California Air Resources Board) certification, which indicates the company’s trucks meet the state’s emissions rules. * International Organization for Standardization ** American Chemistry Council
78%
Hazardous Materials
56%
Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism
53%
Compliance, Safety, Accountability
49%
California Air Resources Board
42%
Free and Secure Trade
31%
ISO*
31%
Partners In Protection
11%
ACC** Responsible Care
2%
Tank Truck Carriers
SHIPPERS: What are the most important factors to consider when choosing a trucker? For shippers, choosing a trucking partner is a critical decision that will have profound ramifications on their supply chain. With that in mind, it’s unsurprising that no other factor is more important to them than reliability with a robust 91% of shippers calling it one of the most important considerations when they are making their decision. Costs, of course, are never far from their minds, though, and 79% of shippers called price one of their top considerations. For many, customer service is integral to a successful partnership, and 75% say that it plays a vital role in sorting through their trucking options. Despite the far-reaching impact that technology has had on the trucking industry, just 23% of shippers say that it plays an important role for them when they are weighing which trucking partner to choose. Similarly, sustainability didn’t make the chart with a mere 15% of shipper respondents considering it when evaluating trucking companies.
91%
Reliability
79%
Price
75%
Customer service
68%
Safety
56%
Capacity
38 Inbound Logistics • September 2026
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