FMCSA Modernizing Registration Process
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently held a "stakeholder day" to gather feedback from trucking industry professionals regarding its new registration system.
The agency aims to implement new architecture and procedures to combat the increasing incidents of cargo theft and various types of fraud in freight transactions.
The event showcased a live demonstration of the new registration system in its current state. It includes simplified menus and directs applicants to an ID-verification service provided by Idemia, the same company used by the Transportation Security Administration for screening passengers on commercial flights.
Ken Riddle, the Director of the Office of Registration, spoke at the Broker Carrier Summit in Fort Worth, Texas, linking 'fraud prevention' directly to the agency's safety mission. He noted that legitimate carriers often suffer financial losses due to double brokers and identity thieves, which ultimately impacts maintenance and safety.
Riddle clarified that his office does not conduct investigations or prosecute criminal activities. The FMCSA has generally refrained from pursuing fraudulent carriers on perjury charges or assessing civil penalties due to the complexities of administrative law.