8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 10, 2005

USA TRUCK, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

0-19858	71-0556971
(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

3200 Industrial Park Road Van Buren, Arkansas	72956
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

(479) 471-2500

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

        On January 10, 2005, the Registrant issued a news release announcing that it has received certification by TÜV America, an independent auditor, of conformance to the International Organization for Standardization’s 9001:2000 Quality Management Systems standard. A copy of the news release is furnished as an exhibit to this Form 8-K. This Form 8-K and the attached exhibit are furnished to but not filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

      (c)      Exhibits

                 99.1 News release issued by the Registrant on January 10, 2005.

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit Number	Exhibit
99.1	News release issued by the Registrant on January 10, 2005

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	USA Truck, Inc.
	(Registrant)
Date: January 10, 2005	/s/ ROBERT M. POWELL
	Robert M. Powell
	Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Date: January 10, 2005	/s/ JERRY D. ORLER
	Jerry D. Orler
	President
Date: January 10, 2005	/s/ CLIFTON R. BECKHAM
	Clifton R. Beckham
	Sr. Vice President - Finance, Chief
	Financial Officer and Secretary

EX-99

EXHIBIT 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VAN BUREN, ARKANSAS JANUARY 10, 2005

USA Truck, Inc. announced today that it has received certification by TÜV America, an independent auditor, of conformance to the International Organization for Standardization’s 9001:2000 Quality Management Systems standard. ISO 9001:2000 is currently the most rigorous international standard for Quality Management and Assurance.

The International Organization for Standardization is the source of ISO 9000 and 14000 families of quality and environmental management standards, as well as multiple international standards for business, government and society. USA Truck has successfully identified and demonstrated its capability to meet customer requirements and enhance customer satisfaction.

The scope of the Company’s certification is: “Provider of on-time general truckload freight and customized transportation logistics solutions within the continental US, Canada and Mexico”. The certification includes the general offices located in Van Buren, Arkansas and the Fleet Maintenance Facilities located in Van Buren and West Memphis, Arkansas, Shreveport, Louisiana, Vandalia, Ohio, Roanoke, Virginia, and Bethel, Pennsylvania.

“We take great pride in this certification because of what it means to our customers – outstanding service – and the inherent benefits that such service creates for our employees and stockholders such as the satisfaction of a job well done and financial success. We are committed to continuous improvement in everything that we do and particularly in the area of customer service,” said Jerry D. Orler, President of USA Truck, Inc.

This press release contains forward-looking statements and information that are based on our current beliefs and expectations and assumptions we have made based upon information currently available. Forward-looking statements include statements relating to our plans, strategies, objectives, expectations, intentions and adequacy of resources, and may be identified by words such as “will,” “could,” “should,” “may,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “schedule,” “estimate,” “project” and similar expressions. These statements are based on current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and change. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that such expectations will be realized. If one or more of the risks or uncertainties underlying such expectations materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected. Among the key factors that are not within our control and that have a direct bearing on operating results are increases in fuel prices, adverse weather conditions, increased regulatory burdens and the impact of increased rate competition. Our results have also been, and will continue to be, significantly affected by fluctuations in general economic conditions, as our tractor utilization is directly related to business levels of shippers in a variety of industries. In addition, shortages of qualified drivers and intense or increased competition for drivers have adversely impacted our operating results and our ability to grow and will continue to do so. Results for any specific period could also be affected by various unforeseen events, such as unusual levels of equipment failure or vehicle accident claims. Additional risks associated with our operations are discussed in our SEC filings, including our annual report on Form 10-K and our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

All forward-looking statements attributable to us, or persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this press release might not occur.

References to the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” and words of similar import refer to USA Truck, Inc. and its subsidiary.

USA Truck is a medium haul, dry van truckload carrier transporting general commodities throughout the continental United States and between locations in the United States and Canada. We transport general commodities into Mexico by transferring trailers at our facility in the gateway city of Laredo, Texas. We also provide third-party logistics and freight brokerage services.

_________________

Contact: CLIFF BECKHAM, Chief Financial Officer — (479) 471-2633