On February 21, 2026, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced a sweeping set of reforms aimed at one of the transportation industry’s most persistent problems: so-called “chameleon carriers.” These are companies that dodge safety violations by shutting down and reopening under a new name and DOT number essentially hitting the reset button on their safety record every time they get caught.
“You can’t have 200 DOT numbers going to a P.O. box,” said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy at the announcement. It’s a blunt summary of a problem that has plagued the industry for years and put consumers at risk.
For anyone who has ever shipped a vehicle or is considering it these changes matter more than you might think. Here’s why.
A chameleon carrier is a trucking or transport company that, when faced with safety violations, fines, or poor inspection records, simply dissolves and re-registers under a different name with a fresh DOT number. On paper, the new company looks clean. In reality, it’s the same operators, the same trucks, and the same unsafe practices just wearing a new mask.
This isn’t a fringe problem. The practice has been widespread enough that FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs made it a centerpiece of the agency’s latest enforcement push, stating: “We’ve got to unmask chameleon carriers.”
The issue is particularly relevant in the auto transport industry, where brokers connect customers with carriers. A carrier with a spotless-looking safety record might actually have a history of violations hidden behind multiple identity changes.
Carriers will now be required to maintain a real, physical business location where records can be inspected within 48 hours. No more P.O. boxes as a principal place of business. This is a direct strike at shell companies that exist only on paper.
For consumers, this means the carrier handling your vehicle should have a verifiable, brick-and-mortar presence not just a website and a phone number.
The agency is codifying stronger procedures for suspending and revoking operating authority. Previously, the process had enough gaps that bad actors could slip through or delay enforcement long enough to set up a new entity. The new rules aim to close those loopholes.
Before a company can operate as a new carrier, they’ll need to demonstrate thorough knowledge of safety requirements. This raises the bar for entry and makes it harder for a chameleon carrier to simply re-register and start operating immediately.
This one is significant for the auto transport industry specifically. The FMCSA is introducing testing requirements for brokers to ensure they meet baseline qualifications. Brokers serve as the middlemen between customers and carriers in auto transport, and unqualified brokers can expose customers to unreliable or unsafe carriers.
The Department of Transportation identified more than 550 driver training programs that violate federal standards. The agency plans to end the self-certification process for commercial driving schools and require that written knowledge tests are conducted in English to ensure drivers can understand road signs and safety regulations.
Rulemaking will target non-compliant electronic logging devices. ELDs track driver hours to prevent fatigue-related accidents but only if they’re working properly and honestly.
If you’re planning to ship a car, motorcycle, or any vehicle, these reforms have real implications for your experience:
Better carrier accountability. With physical location requirements and enhanced suspension procedures, it becomes much harder for a carrier with a bad track record to simply disappear and start over. The carrier transporting your vehicle is more likely to have a legitimate, verifiable safety history.
Stronger broker standards. The new broker qualification testing means the company you book your shipment through should have a baseline level of competency. This doesn’t eliminate all risk, but it raises the floor.
More reliable safety data. When chameleon carriers can’t easily reset their records, the safety information available to consumers through tools like the FMCSA’s SAFER system becomes more trustworthy. You can look up a company’s DOT number with greater confidence that what you see reflects their actual history.
While these regulations roll out, consumers can take steps to avoid problematic carriers:
Verify the DOT and MC numbers. Every legitimate auto transport company has a USDOT number and, if they’re a broker, an MC (Motor Carrier) number. You can look these up on the FMCSA’s SAFER website to check their safety record, insurance status, and how long they’ve been operating.
Check how long they’ve been in business. A company that’s been operating under the same DOT number for a decade is a very different proposition from one that registered six months ago. Longevity isn’t a guarantee of quality, but it’s a strong indicator that a company isn’t playing the chameleon game.
Look for proper insurance. Auto transport carriers are required to carry cargo insurance. Brokers must carry a $75,000 surety bond. Verify these are current, not expired.
Read reviews across multiple platforms. Check Google, BBB, Transport Reviews, and Trustpilot. A pattern of complaints about damage, delays, or bait-and-switch pricing across multiple platforms is a red flag that no amount of DOT number switching can hide.
Be wary of prices that seem too good to be true. Carriers cutting corners on safety, insurance, or driver qualifications can afford to undercut legitimate companies. The lowest quote isn’t always the best value when your vehicle is on the line.
The FMCSA’s crackdown on chameleon carriers is part of a broader push to modernize transportation oversight. The agency’s new Motus registration system, which began rolling out in December 2025, will replace aging technology with a more robust platform for tracking carrier registrations and compliance.
These are positive developments for an industry that has long needed stronger consumer protections. For anyone shipping a vehicle, the message is simple: the federal government is working to make the roads and the companies operating on them safer and more accountable. But informed consumers will always be their own best advocates.
