Bill seeks to fight freight fraud tactics including double brokering and hostage loads within trucking industry

A U.S. Senator introduced legislation this week that would employ multiple measures to fight back against cargo theft and fraud within the trucking industry.

On February 26, 2026, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) introduced the Securing American Freight, Enforcement, and Reliability in Transport Act, or the SAFER Transport Act.

Young says the bill would push back against organized cargo theft groups that use “increasingly sophisticated, fraudulent tactics such as fictitious pickups, double brokering scams, and hostage loads to steal shipments without detection.”

“Americans deserve safe and reliable supply chains and roads,” said Young. “The SAFER Transport Act takes important steps to strengthen our transportation infrastructure, combat crime that is hurting U.S. consumers and businesses, and ensure our roads are safe for all Americans. ”

The bill includes several provisions designed to curb fraud, including:

• Establishment of a “Freight Fraud and Theft Advisory Committee” by the Secretary of Transportation
• Requires that the U.S. Department of Transportation report freight fraud to the Department of Justice
• Phase-out of MC numbers in favor of USDOT numbers for motor carriers, brokers and freight forwarders
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration registration system to be updated to deter bad actors
  • Motor carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders must report changes in ownership to federal authorities
  • Registration may be withheld from registrants convicted of felonies relating to the motor carrier operations of, or use of a commercial motor vehicle by, the registrant.
• Strengthened commercial driver’s licensing (CDL) standards with respect to citizenship or authorization to work in the U.S.
• Requires monthly state reporting on CDL and commercial learner’s permit (CLP) issuance
• Increased oversight of CDL training providers
• Implementation of an automated tool to flag suspicious activity in the FMCSA registration system
• Increased enforcement of cabotage laws in partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• Increased oversight of foreign dispatch services

Groups supporting the bill include the Airforwarders Association, the American Trucking Associations (ATA), the Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA), the Indiana Motor Truck Association, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA), and the Truck Renting and Leasing Association (TRALA).

“The small business truckers and owner-operators OOIDA represents are particularly vulnerable to fraud, which has unfortunately become widespread in our industry and increasingly sophisticated. Falling victim to even a single scam can cost one of our members their entire livelihood. That’s why OOIDA appreciates Chairman Young’s leadership in introducing the SAFER Transport Act, which addresses many of the regulatory shortcomings that have allowed fraudsters, chameleon carriers, unvetted and underqualified drivers, and sham training schools to proliferate. The SAFER Transport Act is a major step towards weeding out the bad actors in our industry who make our roads less safe. We will continue working with Chairman Young and his colleagues to make the trucking industry more professional and America’s roads safer for everyone,” said OOIDA Executive Vice President Lewie Pugh.

“Over 90% of trucking fleets operate 10 trucks or fewer, and each one represents the embodiment of the American Dream. Motor carriers spend years building their reputations, but ruthless and sophisticated criminals are actively exploiting loopholes in USDOT’s registration process to steal their identities, capitalize on their good names, and commit cargo theft,” said ATA President & CEO Chris Spear. “Small businesses are not equipped to fight large-scale fraud on their own, which is why it is so critical to implement Senator Young’s commonsense reforms that modernize USDOT’s systems to weed out chameleon carriers and enhance oversight and penalties. We are grateful for his willingness to listen to the voices of hardworking truckers.”

“Transparency and accountability are essential to restoring integrity in the commercial driver’s license system,” said CVTA Chairman Jeff Burkhardt. “Requiring monthly state reporting on CDL and CLP issuance will give policymakers and industry real visibility into trends and potential vulnerabilities. While FMCSA has taken important steps to enhance ELDT oversight, codifying a structured, mandatory audit regime into statute will provide consistency and durability across future administrations and ensure that only qualified training providers remain on the Training Provider Registry. Just as important, empowering interested state agencies to remove bad actors and requiring timely resolution of complaints sends a clear message that fraud and noncompliance will not be tolerated. These reforms protect students, support reputable schools, and ultimately make our roadways safer.”