WASHINGTON, D.C. — Two House lawmakers introduced bipartisan legislation on September 4 targeting trucking companies that dodge federal oversight by operating under inactive or fraudulent USDOT registration numbers — a practice known in the industry as chameleon carrying.
Rep. Dave Taylor of Ohio and Rep. Shomari Figures of Alabama introduced the Registration Enforcement for Vehicle Operations of Known Evaders Act, known as the REVOKE Act. The bill is endorsed by the American Trucking Associations.
What the Bill Would Do
The REVOKE Act would affirm that a carrier’s USDOT number must be active for them to legally operate on American roads. It would clarify that the Secretary of Transportation may only issue an active USDOT number after confirming all registration requirements are met. It would also grant the Secretary authority to immediately inactivate the USDOT number of any individual or employer that lacks valid registration or fails to make required periodic updates.
The Problem It Targets
Chameleon carriers are trucking operations that cycle through new USDOT registrations to avoid accountability after being flagged or shut down for safety violations. By obtaining a new number and sometimes operating under a new company name, these carriers can continue hauling freight despite being previously identified as unsafe operators.
The American Trucking Associations said the practice puts everyone on the road at risk and undermines the legitimate trucking industry. “The REVOKE Act would enhance FMCSA’s enforcement actions by cracking down on carriers seeking to operate under inactive USDOT numbers,” said ATA Senior Vice President of Legislative Affairs Alex Rosen.
📸 Image(s) used under fair use for news reporting.
