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119-hr-8267119th CongressWALLET

SAFER Transport Act

Sponsored By: Representative Knott, Brad [R-NC-13]

In Committee

Summary

Stronger registration and automated fraud detection for freight and carriers. This bill would remake how motor carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders register and how regulators spot and stop fraud to protect shippers and honest operators.

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  • Replaces MC numbers with a new USDOT number and imposes a 5-year transition during which MC numbers would not be issued or renewed. Registrations could be withheld, suspended, or revoked for felony convictions and owners must report ownership changes within 30 days.
  • Requires the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to build automated flagging systems within 1 year and lets the agency temporarily suspend flagged registrations while giving companies a response window. The bill defines fraudulent certification and allows criminal penalties including fines and up to 5 years in prison.
  • Tightens driver and training rules and boosts information sharing. States would have to verify work authorization for commercial learner permits and commercial driver’s licenses and send monthly reports. CDL training providers must register a principal place of business and face audits. The bill also creates a freight fraud advisory committee, requires a Department of Justice memorandum of understanding for freight fraud referrals, and requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection to reimburse certain cargo-theft fines.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.

Ban on some foreign point-to-point runs

If enacted, the bill would bar carriers domiciled in Canada or Mexico, and U.S. carriers owned or controlled by Mexico-domiciled persons, from doing point-to-point domestic cargo runs inside the U.S. It would also make it unlawful to knowingly use drivers who are not authorized by USCIS to work as commercial drivers for those runs. DOT and Customs would make an agreement and update regulations within one year to enforce these rules.

New USDOT ID and registration rules

If enacted, the bill would make a USDOT number the main ID for carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders. The Secretary would finish a Unified Carrier Registration system within one year. New owners would need to tell the agency within 30 days of a change. The bill would also stop issuing or renewing MC numbers for five years and require all affected firms to move to USDOT numbers within five years.

CDL training registry and work checks

If enacted, the bill would make FMCSA run a national registry of commercial driver training providers and require providers to register their main business address before listing. Providers listed at enactment would have one year to register that address or be removed. FMCSA would audit providers, create an expedited removal process within 120 days for serious violations, and resolve complaints within 180 days. States would also report monthly on CLPs/CDLs and must confirm work authorization and align license expiration with work-authorization expiration when needed.

CBP repayment for some cargo fines

If enacted, the bill would direct Customs and Border Protection to repay victims of cargo theft for fines they paid to CBP when containers were not sealed as required. The repayment would apply only to fines paid under the cited sealing rules.

Freight fraud advisory and DOJ pact

If enacted, the bill would create a Freight Fraud and Theft Advisory Committee within 60 days. The committee would report to DOT and Congress within two years and then end. The Secretary and Attorney General would also make a memorandum of understanding within 180 days to share freight-fraud information and set intake processes.

New crime penalty for false certifications

If enacted, the bill would make knowingly submitting a false or misleading certification in FMCSA registration or compliance a federal crime. A person convicted could face fines under title 18, up to five years in prison, or both. The rule applies when the false certification is used to engage or try to engage in unlawful interstate transport.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Knott, Brad [R-NC-13]

NC • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1]

    KS • R

    Sponsored 9/28/2026

  • Rep. Barrett, Tom [R-MI-7]

    MI • R

    Sponsored 4/29/2026

  • Rep. Cuellar, Henry [D-TX-28]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 6/29/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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