The SAFER Transport Act Explained: How New Federal Legislation Targets Freight Fraud, Cargo Theft, and Double Brokering in 2026

Cargo theft in the United States surged 60% in 2025, with estimated losses reaching nearly $725 million — and the average theft value climbing 36% to $273,990 per incident. Meanwhile, the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) estimates that cargo theft costs the trucking industry $6.6 billion annually, or more than $18 million every single day.

Against this backdrop of escalating losses and increasingly sophisticated criminal operations, Senator Todd Young (R-Indiana), Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, introduced the Securing American Freight, Enforcement, and Reliability in Transport Act — the SAFER Transport Act — on February 26, 2026. This comprehensive legislation represents the most significant federal effort to date to dismantle the infrastructure that enables freight fraud, cargo theft, and double brokering across American supply chains.

What the SAFER Transport Act Proposes

The legislation attacks freight crime on multiple fronts, with provisions that go far beyond previous piecemeal enforcement efforts. Here are the key pillars:

1. Freight Fraud and Theft Advisory Committee

Within 60 days of enactment, the bill would establish a dedicated advisory committee comprising motor carriers (including owner-operators), railroads, port and marine terminal operators, brokers, aviation operators, state and local law enforcement, shippers, and insurers. This committee must deliver actionable recommendations to the Transportation Secretary and Congress within two years, focused on reducing fraud and improving interagency coordination.

2. DOT-DOJ Enforcement Bridge

The legislation mandates a memorandum of understanding between the Department of Transportation and the Department of Justice. Under this framework, DOT would notify DOJ officials of any freight fraud or theft uncovered during regulatory or enforcement activities — and DOJ would be required to establish a formal process for receiving and acting on those referrals. This addresses the longstanding gap where freight crimes fell between agency jurisdictions.

3. FMCSA Registration Overhaul

In what may be the most operationally significant provision, the SAFER Transport Act would phase out MC (Motor Classification) numbers over five years, requiring all motor carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders to use a single USDOT number as their sole identifier. This directly targets "chameleon carriers" — fraudulent operators who exploit the dual-numbering system to reappear under new identities after being flagged for violations.

Additional registration reforms include:

• Automated fraud detection systems that FMCSA must develop to flag suspicious registration activity in real time
• Felony bars preventing anyone convicted of theft, fraud, or related crimes from obtaining a USDOT number
• 30-day ownership change notifications required for any transfer, merger, acquisition, or sale involving a carrier, broker, or freight forwarder

4. CDL Integrity and Safety Provisions

Following a DOT audit that revealed widespread state noncompliance in CDL issuance — including illegal non-domiciled licenses in Illinois, California, and New York — the legislation strengthens commercial driver licensing by:

• Requiring states to verify work authorization for non-citizen CDL applicants
• Aligning CDL expiration dates with work authorization periods
• Mandating monthly state reporting on all CLPs, CDLs, and endorsements issued
• Enhancing oversight of CDL training providers through audits and disclosure requirements

Why Now: The Scale of the Crisis

The timing of this legislation reflects a freight fraud epidemic that has reached record proportions. Criminal organizations are deploying increasingly sophisticated tactics — fictitious pickups, double brokering scams, and hostage loads — to steal shipments without detection.

As American Trucking Associations President Chris Spear noted in his endorsement of the bill: "Over 90% of trucking fleets operate 10 trucks or fewer, and each one embodies the American Dream. 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."

The problem isn't just financial. Inconsistent prosecutorial standards across states and localities have created enforcement gaps where freight crimes are misclassified, underreported, or simply ignored. The SAFER Transport Act's DOT-DOJ framework directly addresses this jurisdictional vacuum.

Impact on Brokers, Carriers, and Shippers

For Brokers

The transition away from MC numbers means brokers will need to consolidate their identification under a single USDOT number. While this simplifies long-term compliance, brokers should begin auditing their registration records now and preparing for the five-year transition timeline. The automated fraud detection systems will also increase scrutiny on broker registration patterns.

For Carriers

Small carriers stand to benefit significantly from the chameleon carrier crackdown. Identity theft — where criminals clone legitimate carrier credentials to intercept loads — has disproportionately harmed small fleet operators. The felony bar provisions and real-time fraud flagging should reduce these impersonation attacks. Carriers should ensure their FMCSA records are current and ownership changes are reported within the new 30-day window.

For Shippers

Shippers gain a more trustworthy carrier verification ecosystem. The consolidated USDOT numbering system, combined with automated fraud detection, makes it easier to validate that the carrier showing up at your dock is who they claim to be. However, shippers should not wait for federal systems to catch up — proactive carrier vetting remains essential during the transition period.

Industry Support and What Comes Next

The legislation has garnered endorsements from a broad coalition including the American Trucking Associations (ATA), Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA), Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), and the Airforwarders Association, among others.

As the bill moves through the Senate Commerce Committee, the freight industry will be watching for amendments and implementation timelines. The 60-day advisory committee formation deadline signals urgency, but the five-year MC number phase-out acknowledges the operational complexity of overhauling a registration system that millions of entities rely on daily.

How CXTMS Helps You Stay Ahead of Compliance

While federal reforms work their way through Congress, shippers and brokers need tools that provide carrier verification and compliance monitoring today — not two years from now.

CXTMS compliance and carrier management tools help you:

• Verify carrier legitimacy with real-time FMCSA authority and insurance checks before tendering loads
• Monitor carrier compliance status continuously, flagging authority changes, insurance lapses, and safety rating downgrades
• Maintain an auditable carrier qualification process that demonstrates due diligence — critical as enforcement standards tighten under the SAFER Transport Act
• Detect double brokering risk by tracking carrier capacity patterns and load acceptance behavior

The SAFER Transport Act signals that the era of lax freight fraud enforcement is ending. The question isn't whether your compliance processes will be scrutinized — it's whether they'll hold up when they are.

Request a CXTMS demo → and see how proactive carrier verification protects your freight — and your reputation — in the new enforcement landscape.