David Cullen

[Former] Business/Washington Contributing Editor

David Cullen has been covering trucking for top-tier media platforms continuously since 1981. He served as executive editor of Heavy Duty Trucking from 2015 to 2020. Prior to that was executive editor of a fleet-focused magazine, where he was on staff from 1989 to 2015. He launched his career in 1981 with DES (Diesel Equipment Superintendent), where he served as managing editor from 1985 to 1989.

Cullen is known for his coverage of legislative and regulatory issues affecting the trucking industry, as well as fleet business related topics.

Cullen is a recipient of several Jesse H. Neal Awards for Outstanding Journalism and numerous ASPBE AZBEE Awards for Excellence in business-to-business journalism, as well as ASPBE's Annual Stephen Barr Award for Individual Feature Writing.

News•by David Cullen•May 22, 2019

DOT Aims to Lower Barriers to Autonomous Tech for Trucks and Cars

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration are seeking public comment on matters related to rolling out autonomous-driving systems.

News•by David Cullen•May 14, 2019

FMCSA Looking at Wider Pilot to Study Allowing Younger Interstate Truck Drivers

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is seeking public comment on a “potential” pilot program that would allow drivers ages 18 to 20 to operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce.

News•by David Cullen•May 14, 2019

Volkswagen Resumes Planned IPO of Truck-OEM Subsidiary Traton

Volkswagen AG announced on May 13 that it is resuming preparations for an initial public offering of Traton SE, with progress to be made “depending on further developments on capital markets.”

Articles•by David Cullen•May 10, 2019

2019 Fleet Innovators: Trucking's Best and Brightest Leaders

The seven 2019 Truck Fleet Innovators are forward-thinkers who lead by example, overcoming challenges and leveraging opportunities. They are recognized for accomplishments in areas ranging from being on the cutting edge of vehicle design to switching up driver pay programs.

News•by David Cullen•May 10, 2019

Truck Platooning Pilot in Germany Deemed Runaway Success

A platooning project conducted in Germany has demonstrated that the electronically linked system is “safe, technically reliable, and easily applicable in the routine of a logistics company,” according to the project's partners.

News•by David Cullen•May 8, 2019

Bipartisan House Bill Aims to Raise Private-Investment Limit for Highway Projects

A bill that would raise the federal cap on private activity bonds for surface-transportation and freight-improvement projects has been rolled out to the House of Representatives by a bipartisan group of lawmakers.

News•by David Cullen•May 7, 2019

California Meal and Rest Break Suit Dismissed on Basis of FMCSA Preemption Stance

A federal court has determined it lacks jurisdiction to rule on a class-action suit brought against U.S. Xpress that alleges the motor carrier violated California's rules governing meal and rest breaks for commercial vehicle drivers.

Passing Zone•by David Cullen•May 3, 2019

Here's to Our Winners

The managers, executives, and owners of truck operations who are honored each year by Heavy Duty Trucking with our Truck Fleet Innovator awards so often seem to be moving at a fast clip in how they think about things. Blog Commentary by Executive Editor David Cullen.

News•by David Cullen•May 3, 2019

FMCSA Sets June Date to Publish its Proposed Hours-of-Service Changes

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has slated publication of its notice of proposed rulemaking on changes to the Hours of Service rule for June 7.

News•by David Cullen•May 1, 2019

Trump, Democrats Agree to Push for ‘Big and Bold’ Infrastructure Plan

The Democratic leaders of Capitol Hill emerged from a “good will” meeting to report that a bipartisan agreement had been reached to introduce to Congress a $2 trillion plan to modernize the nation's infrastructure.

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