ATRI Cabotage Survey Seeks Input From Truck Drivers
ATRI Looks Into Cabotage in the U.S.
The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) is asking truck drivers and motor carriers to help measure the possible impact of cabotage in the United States.
ATRI said its Research Advisory Committee identified the issue as a top research priority. The goal is to better understand how often foreign B-1 visa-holding truck drivers may be conducting domestic freight moves that are not allowed under federal law.
Federal law prohibits foreign B-1 visa-holding truck drivers from engaging in point-to-point service while operating in the United States. In simple terms, that means a foreign driver may generally be allowed to bring freight into the U.S. or take freight out of the U.S. However, that driver may not use that status to haul freight from one U.S. location to another as a domestic trucking service.
ATRI is now asking people in the trucking industry to report when and where they have seen suspected unauthorized cabotage activity.
What is Cabotage?
Cabotage refers to transportation service inside a country by a foreign carrier or driver. In this case, the concern is foreign truck drivers operating under B-1 visas and hauling freight within the U.S. in a way that may violate federal law.
ATRI said B-1 visa holders are generally allowed to make one pick-up or delivery in the U.S. However, the group said anecdotal evidence suggests some foreign truck drivers may be conducting new business across the country and beyond border commercial zones.
That difference is important for commercial truck drivers. The issue is not simply whether a foreign driver crosses into the United States with international freight. The concern is whether that driver is then being used to move domestic freight from one U.S. point to another.
For U.S. truck drivers and carriers, cabotage concerns may raise questions about fair competition, freight rates, and job protection.
Survey Aims to Measure the Problem
ATRI’s cabotage research includes a trucking industry survey. The survey asks truck drivers and motor carriers to share input on where this activity is most often observed and when it appears to be happening.
The survey is not an enforcement action. It does not make a final finding about how widespread unauthorized cabotage may be.
Instead, ATRI is trying to collect information that can be used to build an economic model. That model is expected to calculate the real costs and impacts that cabotage may have on U.S. truck drivers and truck fleets.
This matters because much of the concern around unauthorized cabotage has been based on reports from within the industry. ATRI’s research could help show whether the issue is isolated, regional, or large enough to affect parts of the U.S. freight market.
Why Truck Drivers May Care About Cabotage
For commercial truck drivers, the concern comes down to freight competition and pay pressure.
If unauthorized drivers are hauling domestic U.S. freight at lower costs, that could affect the freight market in certain lanes. It may be especially important for drivers and carriers operating near border regions or in freight corridors where cross-border operations are common.
Company drivers may care because freight competition can affect the carriers they work for. If a carrier loses freight to lower-cost operators, that can affect available lanes, miles, and future business.
Owner-operators may feel the issue more directly. Many owner-operators compete load by load. If illegal or unauthorized operations are taking domestic freight at lower rates, that could create more pressure in an already competitive market.
Small fleets may also be affected. These businesses often operate with tighter margins. They may have less ability to absorb rate pressure caused by unfair competition.
Fleets and Compliance Teams Also Have a Stake
The survey is also relevant for motor carriers, safety departments, and compliance officers.
ATRI’s announcement points to the possibility that some foreign truck drivers may be operating beyond what is allowed. If the research shows a clear impact, it could draw more attention to how cross-border freight is being handled.
That could matter for carriers that operate legally and follow U.S. requirements. They may argue that unauthorized cabotage creates an uneven playing field.
It may also matter for companies that work with cross-border freight. Dispatch decisions, brokered loads, and carrier selection could come under more scrutiny if cabotage becomes a larger enforcement or policy issue.
For recruiters, the issue may also connect to broader concerns about driver supply, legal work status, and competition in the trucking labor market.
ATA Official Says Cabotage Laws Protect U.S. Jobs
Kaitlyn Holmecki, American Trucking Associations’ Director of International Policy, said cabotage laws were created to protect U.S. jobs and maintain fair competition.
“Cabotage laws were created to protect U.S. jobs and ensure that a level playing field exists,” Holmecki said. “When illegal low-cost transportation services undercut domestic freight operations, the entire trucking industry pays the price.”
That statement highlights the core concern behind ATRI’s research. The issue is not only whether a rule is being broken. The larger question is whether unauthorized domestic freight hauling is creating a cost advantage that hurts legal U.S. trucking operations.
Survey Responses Will Remain Confidential
ATRI said all survey responses will be kept strictly confidential. The responses will be used only in summary statistics.
That could be important for drivers and carriers who want to report what they have seen without being publicly identified.
The survey asks for input from people in the trucking industry who may have direct knowledge of suspected cabotage activity. ATRI is especially looking for information about when and where the activity is most often observed.
The survey is available at: https://www.research.net/r/MC-Cabotage-Survey
It will remain open through Friday, June 12, 2026.
Vincent ShakirMay 14, 20264 Mins read143
