Proposed bill would deactivate USDOT numbers for missed registration updates

U.S. lawmakers introduced a bill that would change how carriers keep their USDOT numbers. The measure targets companies that avoid safety penalties by closing down and reopening under different names.

The REVOKE Act requires carriers running certain commercial vehicles to maintain an active USDOT number at all times. The Department of Transportation secretary could instantly deactivate a number if a company loses valid registration or misses required periodic updates. The law would also stop the agency from issuing new USDOT numbers until a carrier meets every registration requirement.

Carriers must ensure their registration stays current and that all periodic updates are filed on time. A missed filing or lapsed registration could trigger immediate deactivation under the proposed rules.

The American Trucking Associations backs the proposal. Industry leaders note that companies bypassing registration rules undercut fleets that follow safety standards and pay proper fees.

This bill follows other recent efforts to track carriers that change names to avoid oversight. Lawmakers and federal agencies are expanding tools to identify and remove noncompliant operators from the road.

Source: Transport Topics — https://www.ttnews.com/articles/bill-chameleon-carriers