What If the Government Shuts Down Tomorrow? How a Shutdown Would Impact the Trucking Industry

By the SafetyLane Editorial Team

From permits to fuel surcharges—what carriers need to know if Washington stops running.

A Shutdown on the Horizon

September 30, 2025, marks the end of the federal government’s fiscal year. As of now, Congress has failed to pass a new budget or a temporary funding measure to keep federal agencies open. Negotiations have stalled, the Senate rejected the House’s stopgap resolution, and Vice President JD Vance warned that the country is “headed to a shutdown.”

If no agreement is reached by 12:01 AM on October 1, funding for much of the federal government will lapse, forcing a shutdown. While some agencies will continue essential operations, many services critical to businesses and citizens will grind to a halt.

What Keeps Running vs. What Stops

A shutdown doesn’t close everything. Agencies divide their work into essential and non-essential functions:

• Essential (continue working, often without pay): Border Patrol, TSA, Customs officers, ICE enforcement, federal law enforcement, air traffic controllers, FMCSA roadside inspectors, and DOT safety enforcement.

• Non-essential (furloughed until funding resumes): Many administrative and support functions—such as processing of permits, audits, rulemaking, research, grants, and certain federal clerical services.

For trucking, that means freight won’t stop moving, but the paperwork and approvals behind it could stall.

Best- vs. Worst-Case Scenarios

• Short shutdown (days to two weeks): Minor slowdowns in paperwork. Freight continues with minimal disruption.

• Extended shutdown (weeks to months): Growing backlogs in permits, hazmat approvals, customs clearances, and FMCSA reviews. Carriers may face operational headaches and strained customer relations.

  
  

How It Affects the Entire Country

A shutdown doesn’t just hit trucking—it ripples across the economy:

• Federal employees: Hundreds of thousands are furloughed or work without pay, reducing household spending power.

• Travel & security: Air travelers face longer lines, slower screenings, and possible flight delays due to strained FAA and TSA staff.

• Healthcare & research: NIH, CDC, and other agencies pause clinical trials and research projects.

• Everyday services: National parks close, IRS refunds slow, and passport/visa processing delays frustrate businesses and families.

• Financial confidence: Prolonged shutdowns weaken consumer and business confidence, with Wall Street watching closely.

In short, a shutdown doesn’t just pause Washington—it touches nearly every American in some way.

What Carriers Should Do Now

1. Verify permits, registrations, and filings now to avoid being caught mid-shutdown.

2. Build in buffer time for hazmat shipments or cross-border loads.

3. Lock in fuel contracts to avoid disputes if diesel price reporting halts.

4. Communicate with customers about potential government-related delays.

5. Stay alert to updates from FMCSA, DOT, and DHS.

   
   

The SafetyLane Takeaway

If the government shuts down tomorrow, trucks will keep rolling, inspectors will keep inspecting, and safety rules won’t pause. What will suffer is the support structure behind trucking—permits, licensing, regulatory clarity, and fuel price reporting.

For the broader U.S. economy, shutdowns erode trust, stall projects, and stress both federal employees and private businesses. For trucking companies, the only smart move is to prepare: get filings done now, communicate with your shippers, and plan for delays.

Because when Washington stops, the freight industry can’t afford to.