The 2026 trucking industry outlook shows a reasonably stable economy, rapidly tightening truck capacity, rising freight rates, and new opportunities for professional drivers who manage their businesses wisely.

Over my time as lease manager with Competitive Equipment Sales (CES), I've worked with countless CDL drivers at every stage of their truck driving journey. From first-time lease operators to more seasoned drivers, the questions are all pretty much the same: How does leasing a truck actually work? What should I expect from a lease-purchase program? How do contract terms differ?

With 70 years' experience in the trucking industry, Anderson Trucking Service (ATS) has seen it happen: good, dependable drivers switching carrier companies or hanging up their keys and leaving the trucking industry altogether. Sometimes it happens quietly, out of nowhere; other times, it's the result of pent-up, full-blown frustration. Regardless of how it happens, the fact is this: it happens way more often than people outside the trucking industry realize.

Do you dream of having your business name on the side of your truck? Maybe on the side of a whole fleet of trucks?

Key Takeaways for Drivers:

A lot’s been happening at ATS — and there's plenty of good news and exciting updates to share. In the past few months, we’ve brought back in-person training, boosted lease pay, and added new tech to make your job easier (and greener). Here’s what’s new from Q2 and the first half of Q3.

Heavy haul drivers don’t change carriers lightly, and for good reason. It’s a specialized field that demands experience, professionalism, and a lot of planning.

ATS driver experience and training requirements What you’ll haul: Freight and equipment types Pay and home time Pros and cons The Anderson Trucking Service (ATS) flatbed program is a structured driver training and development program that helps motivated over-the-road drivers build the skills needed to haul flatbed, step-deck, RGN, heavy haul, and high-value freight with Anderson Trucking Service. Hands-on flatbed securement training Support for drivers with little or no flatbed experience Competitive pay for company and lease drivers A long-term path from standard flatbed to oversized and heavy haul freight For the right kind of driver, flatbed offers challenge, variety, and real earning power. But if you’ve ever looked at a loaded step-deck and thought, “I’d love to learn how to handle that,” you’ve probably also wondered: Where do I even start?