FMCSA Seeking Members for Truck Leasing Task Force
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Wednesday announced the opening of applications for the Truck Leasing Task Force.
Mandated by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the task force is a long-term effort of the Trucking Action Plan. The TLTF will evaluate the impacts of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) lease agreements and discuss best practices for future agreements as part of the plan’s initiatives.
The task force will include a maximum of 10 members representing labor organizations, motor carriers, consumer protection groups, legal professionals, owner-operators, and other relevant businesses. TLTF will submit a report to the FMCSA and the U.S. Department of Labor.
With a maximum of 10 members, the task force will represent motor carriers, owner-operators, labor organizations, consumer protection groups, legal professionals, and other relevant businesses in the trucking industry.
TLTF’s charter runs through Feb.11, 2024. The FMCSA encourages diverse, non-traditional representatives, especially women and people of color, to apply to serve on the task force.
“The Truck Leasing Task Force represents one of the important actions the administration is taking to improve the trucking industry,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “America’s truck drivers need and deserve fair leasing agreements, and this work will help ensure that leasing is above board.”
How Do I Apply for the Task Force?
To apply, please visit www.fmcsa.dot.gov/tltf. The application period is open through Friday, May 6.
What will the TLTF Cover?
TLTF will cover many areas related to truck leasing arrangements, including:
- Exploring predatory truck leasing arrangements in coordination with DOL and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Evaluating common truck lease agreements and their terms, identifying and reviewing those that are potentially inequitable in the motor carrier industry
- Reviewing agreements available to drayage drivers at ports
- Studying the impact of truck leasing agreements on the net compensation of commercial motor vehicle drivers
- Examining truck leasing arrangements and financing arrangements among motor carriers, entry-level drivers, driver training providers, and others involved in the industry
- Assessing resources that assist CMV drivers in reviewing the financial impacts of leasing agreements
“The Task Force will be instrumental in expanding our understanding of the financial impacts of truck leasing and will reinforce our commitment to quality of life and safety for professional truck drivers,” said FMCSA Acting Administrator Robin Hutcheson. “We ask those who are interested in joining to reach out so we can better support CMV drivers together.”
Unfair Truck Lease Agreements
In a recent episode of “Last Week Tonight”, John Oliver explains how truck drivers get paid, how they often don’t, and how companies exploit them to increase profits. Part of what he touches on is lease agreements and how it can effect driver pay.
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