States Push Unified Plan to Curb Trucking Fraud, Abuses
Action Plan Targets CDL Loopholes and Safety Gaps With Tech Solutions
Key Takeaways:
- A coalition of state trucking associations released an action plan outlining seven key vulnerabilities exploited by bad actors in the industry and proposing technology-driven fixes without new legislation.
- The recommendations emphasize AI analysis, integrated databases and stronger verification to curb licensing loopholes, fraud schemes and electronic log manipulation.
- The groups position the plan as complementing recent federal enforcement actions and say its adoption would improve safety, protect small carriers and support a broader industry resurgence.
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A has released an action plan identifying seven areas bad actors exploit in the industry with solutions to eliminate fraud and illegal operators.
“The Fight for Fairness and Safety: Paving the Way for a Trucking Resurgence” emphasizes immediate solutions without new legislation or rules.
It was developed by the task force consisting of:
- Mark Colson, president and CEO of the Alabama Trucking Association
- Tony Bradley, president and CEO of the Arizona Trucking Association and also chairman of the Trucking Association Executives Council under American Trucking Associations
- Shannon Newton, president of the Arkansas Trucking Association
- Eric Sauer, CEO of the California Trucking Association
- Brenda Neville, president and CEO of the Iowa Motor Truck Association
- Paul Enos, CEO of the Nevada Trucking Association
- Rebecca Oyler, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association
- John Esparza, president and CEO of the Texas Trucking Association
“We have been working on this report for several months, and we are very excited about its potential to have a positive impact on the industry,” Neville told Transport Topics.
Many recommendations focus on technology, such as AI data analysis to detect fraudulent patterns, integrated databases to prevent operator schemes and enhanced verification systems to ensure regulatory compliance.
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“America’s trucking industry is built on the hard work of family-owned businesses, independent owner-operators and professional drivers who play by the rules. But bad actors and illegal operators who exploit loopholes in our regulatory systems are putting everyone at risk. This is unacceptable,” said Colson, also TAEC task force chair.
These reforms would not create new burdens for legitimate operators but would leverage existing data more effectively to identify and eliminate bad actors.
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“This isn’t about adding red tape — it’s about using smart technology to level the playing field,” Esparza said. “When carriers and drivers who follow safety rules and invest in driver training compete against operators who cut every corner, the bad guys win and everyone else loses. These reforms protect American jobs and save lives.”
The plan identifies the following major vulnerabilities and contains solutions for each:
1. Commercial driver license integrity — Closing loopholes in commercial driver licensing.
2. overhaul — Fixing America’s broken trucking safety data system.
3. Cross-border integrity — Ensuring workforce integrity at our borders.
4. Non-domiciled CDL reform — Strengthening oversight and enforcement.
5. English-language proficiency for truckers — Closing critical CDL safety gaps.
6. Combating trucking fraud — Addressing broker and carrier fraud schemes.
7. Electronic log integrity — Ending electronic logging device manipulation and hours-of-service fraud.
The initiative comes as the industry faces daunting freight demand, frivolous attacks from plaintiffs’ trial lawyers and unfair competition from illegal operators who manipulate licensing systems, engage in freight fraud, tamper with safety records and operate outside legal boundaries.
“We are focused on solutions and committed to seeing them implemented. By doing so, we will save lives, protect small businesses and set the stage for a true trucking resurgence in Arizona,” .
The plan builds on recent federal actions, especially Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s order strictly enforcing ELP mandates and a crackdown on states that issue non-domiciled CDLs during a nationwide audit. Duffy also has directed the overhaul of the ELD certification process and removed 3,000 truck driver training providers from the federal registry due to regulatory noncompliance.
According to TAEC, Duffy’s actions have “resulted in unsafe drivers being removed from the roadways. The TAEC recommendations would extend similar accountability measures across all identified problem areas.”
Renee Amar, executive director of the Louisiana Motor Transport Association, noted, “Louisiana’s freight economy can’t thrive without a system that is fair, predictable and safe for everyone on the road. These reforms give our state a real chance to reduce costs, improve safety and support the men and women who keep goods moving every day. It will take commitment from industry leaders, state agencies and our partners throughout the supply chain, but the payoff for Louisiana families and businesses will be significant.”
Arkansas Trucking Association’s Newton said, “These aren’t theoretical problems. They’re real risks we see on Arkansas highways and across the nation. Closing these loopholes [is] essential for safety, but it’s equally important for fairness. Carriers who invest in training, compliance and integrity should not be undercut by those who cheat the system.”
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