Sen. Young Advances SAFER Transport Act to Protect American Roads and Supply Chains, CVTA Applauds the Accountability

Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.), head of the Senate Commerce's Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, recently introduced the Securing American Freight, Enforcement, and Reliability in (SAFER) Transport Act to strengthen freight security and enhance oversight of commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). National transportation stakeholders, including the Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA), strongly support the legislation.

The bill also addresses cargo theft and fraudulent carrier activity by prioritizing stronger safeguards for CDL issuance and training provider accountability. Recent Department of Transportation audits found compliance failures in some states regarding non-domiciled CDL issuance, underscoring the need for better eligibility verification, transparent reporting, and consistent enforcement.

Chairman Jeff Burkhardt underscored the importance of these reforms, stating:

“Transparency and accountability are essential to restoring integrity in the commercial driver’s license system. Requiring monthly state reporting on CDL and CLP issuance will give policymakers and industry real visibility into trends and potential vulnerabilities. While FMCSA has taken important steps to enhance ELDT oversight, codifying a structured, mandatory audit regime into statute will provide consistency and durability across future administrations and ensure that only qualified training providers remain on the Training Provider Registry. Just as important, empowering interested state agencies to remove bad actors and requiring timely resolution of complaints sends a clear message that fraud and noncompliance will not be tolerated. These reforms protect students, support reputable schools, and ultimately make our roadways safer.”

Although the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has improved oversight of Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT), making audit and disclosure requirements statutory will ensure consistency and limit certification to qualified training providers. The legislation also authorizes state agencies to remove noncompliant providers and requires prompt resolution of complaints. These measures protect both students and reputable schools.

CVTA’s support is rooted in the principle that transparency and accountability are essential to restoring and maintaining integrity in the CDL system. Because commercial drivers operate vehicles weighing up to 80,000 pounds on public highways, disciplined oversight of licensing and training directly impacts roadway safety.

The SAFER Transport Act unifies cargo security and CDL integrity, recognizing that fraud, registration loopholes, and inadequate training oversight threaten supply chain reliability and public trust. For CVTA and its members, structured reporting, regular audits, and clear enforcement are essential to strengthening professionalism and protecting America’s roads. Read Press Release here:https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-introduces-bill-to-protect-american-roads-and-supply-chains/ Legislative Text: https://www.young.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/FINAL_SAFER-Transport-Act.pdf