The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has scheduled two virtual public meetings for the Truck Leasing Task Force (TLTF). These meetings will happen on October 30 and November 20, 2024. The goal is to review truck leasing agreements and their impact on owner-operators and small trucking businesses. TLTF will use these discussions to develop best practices for more fair and transparent leasing agreements.
What is the Truck Leasing Task Force (TLTF)?
The Truck Leasing Task Force was created under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) in 2021. It is managed by the FMCSA and follows the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) guidelines. The TLTF’s job is to evaluate common truck leasing agreements and how they affect drivers and trucking companies.
This group will write a report based on what they find. The report will cover the problems they identify and offer solutions. It will be sent to several officials, including the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of Labor, as well as important Congressional committees. The report will include recommendations to help drivers better understand leasing agreements before signing them.
Meeting Topics and Schedule
The TLTF meetings will focus on creating a report about the fairness of truck leasing agreements. The report will also outline best practices for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.
October 30, 2024 Meeting
The first meeting will include:
- A presentation on the history of commercial motor vehicle operations and safety in the U.S., focusing on single owner-operators.
- An update from a Public Court Data Collection Subcommittee, which is reviewing case law about truck leasing agreements.
- A public comment period where drivers can share their experiences with truck leases.
November 20, 2024 Meeting
The second meeting will:
- Continue the discussions from the first meeting.
- Provide further updates from the Public Court Data Collection Subcommittee.
- Feature another public comment period, allowing more drivers to share their stories.
How to Participate
Both meetings will be virtual, and anyone interested must register in advance. Registration deadlines are October 23 for the first meeting and November 13 for the second meeting. Written materials should also be submitted by these dates.
The public will have the chance to comment during the meetings. Each speaker will have two minutes to speak, but you can also submit written remarks to be included in the meeting record. Additionally, if you need special accommodations, like sign language interpretation, you should request these services by the registration deadlines.
The Importance of TLTF
The TLTF’s work is essential to ensuring that truck leasing agreements are fair and easy to understand. Many drivers and small trucking companies face challenges when signing these leases, which can cause long-term financial problems. By gathering public feedback and reviewing current agreements, the task force hopes to propose changes that benefit everyone involved in the trucking industry.
