Tale Lites Issue 45

Book Parking | List your Property 

🚨 DOT Draft Memo Reveals Major Crackdown Coming for “Chameleon Carriers”

Whether you’ve been Over the Road or at home driving your personal vehicle, I am sure you’ve seen a fair share of commercial vehicles with what appears to be a paper or cardboard sign taped to the side of trucks with DOT/MC numbers written with sharpies. Across Tiktok drivers have posted videos of where they see drivers even replacing these decals in real time. Adam Wingfield, a contributor at FreightWaves, just dropped a leaked internal document that will crackdown on these frauds.

This newly surfaced draft memo inside the DOT may signal some of the toughest federal action yet against “chameleon carriers,” the shady motor carriers who shut down, reopen under a fresh name, and slide right under the radar.

Another problem spurred by deregulation, these carriers have quietly gamed the system, hurting legitimate small fleets and putting unsafe trucks right back on the road, even after fatal accidents like we reported on with Hope Trans LLC.

According to the memo, regulators want to overhaul how they identify “high risk” carriers by building a new severity scoring system that flags patterns of fraud, suspicious registrations, and behavior tied to identity hopping.

The memo is still “pre decisional,” but it provides the clearest look yet at how federal officials want to finally tackle a problem the industry has begged them to fix for more than a decade. The potential of these ideas becoming policy, would be a major boost to drivers and small fleets.

🔍 What the Memo Says

The memo, written by Shaz Umer, the Director of Strategic Initiatives, was submitted on 11/12/2025. It lays out a plan for a new data driven severity matrix which is basically, a risk score that highlights carriers whose operations suggest they’re hiding behind new DOT numbers.

DOT believes loopholes in the FMCSA registration system have allowed unsafe companies to:

• shut down after violations

• reopen with a clean slate

• hide bad safety records

• dodge audits and investigations

• keep operating as if nothing happened

These are the classic “chameleon carrier” tactics, and the memo says DOT has enough data to start spotting them at scale.

🕵️‍♂️ What is a Chameleon Carrier?

When a Motor Carrier goes out of business, normally it’s because of finances, contracts, rising operational costs, or life changes. Any of my friends who have gone out of business either went back to being a company driver, or left the industry, but a chameleon carrier is different.

It’s a company that intentionally closes after violations, immediately reopens under a new name, and keeps running the same trucks, same people, and same unsafe habits.

Think:

• same trucks

• same drivers

• same owners

• new identity

These carriers often leave clear fingerprints:

• identical addresses across multiple companies

• reused phone numbers and emails

• fleets appearing/disappearing overnight

• sudden DOT number changes after major violations

• equipment bouncing between new entities

• clusters of near-identical companies in the same corridor

DOT’s analysis found these patterns over and over again in SAFER and registration data, not from random flukes, but signs of a system being actively exploited.

💥 Why This Matters to the Industry

Chameleon carriers don’t just cheat the system, they hurt the entire freight industry by:

• dragging down rates

• driving up insurance costs

• creating unsafe roads

• damaging trust with brokers and shippers

• undercutting honest carriers

The memo is pretty adamant: these practices “undermine legitimate carriers and create preventable safety risks.”

🛠️ How DOT Wants To Stop It

The plan:

1. Identify key data points linked to identity fraud.

2. Feed them into a risk-scoring model.

3. Prioritize enforcement on carriers scoring high.

Instead of being reactive by waiting for a crash or complaint, DOT would proactively target carriers who look like they’re trying to hide.

This would mean:

• faster investigations

• fewer unsafe fleets slipping through

• stronger registration oversight

• a fairer environment for compliant carriers

📦 What Honest Small Carriers Need To Know

For legitimate carriers, this is mostly good news. But tighter oversight will come with some friction:

• more verification when applying for DOT/MC numbers

• deeper checks on matching emails, addresses, or phone numbers

• potential delays if your company resembles others nearby

• scrutiny if you lease equipment or share space with multiple fleets

• possible outreach if your profile matches a known risk pattern

The challenge: small fleets often share terminals, use family property, or rent yard space, which may look “suspicious” in raw data unless handled carefully.

DOT will need to distinguish normal business from fraudulent business.

What do you think? I want to hear from you! For Driver Submissions, questions, and comments contact me at: [email protected] or Text me directly at 423-275-2444

Tale Lites Throwback

Unsure of what to cook for Thanksgiving? Check out some of these recipes posted in Tale Lites back in November 1974!

❄️ Winter Is Here Are You Prepared?

As drivers, we’ve all battled winter on the road at some point, but it’s surprisingly easy to forget the essentials that make the toughest season safer and less stressful. Here’s a quick, OTR checklist to make sure you’re ready for whatever the cold throws at you.

Winter Essentials Every Driver Should Carry

Spare Key

Hide a spare key somewhere secure but accessible—under the hood, zip-tied in a discreet spot, etc. Getting locked out in subzero temps is a nightmare you can prevent.

Kitty Litter or Traction Magic

A simple bucket of kitty litter can give your tires the extra traction needed to get unstuck from snow or icy lots. This one helped me get out of a parking spot one snowy morning at 4am in Ohio!

Emergency Lighter

Keep a dedicated lighter just for emergencies. When you’re facing a frozen combination lock at a gate, you’ll be grateful you can heat it up.

Jumper Cables

Cold drains batteries fast. Don’t assume someone else, or a shop will have working cables keep a set of your own ready to go.

Toilet Paper (baby wipes too)

This one is a given, and always appreciated when you need it.

Facemask / Balaclava

When the wind is cutting, a warm, windproof balaclava makes outdoor work in freezing temps far more bearable.

Winter-Grade Washer Fluid

Salt and ice buildup can destroy visibility. Winter fluid helps melt that ice and clear the grime.

Portable Power Bank

If your phone dies when you’re stuck or stranded, a power bank can be a lifesaver—literally.

Emergency Food & Water

Protein bars, jerky, tuna packs, anything shelf stable/non-perishable works. And even if water isn’t your go-to drink, having a gallon on hand is never a bad idea.

5 lb. Mini Sledgehammer

Frozen trailer brakes? A few taps on the drums can break them loose when cold temps have them locked up.

Emergency / Mylar Blanket

If your APU quits or your fuel gels overnight, a Mylar blanket reflects your body heat and helps keep you warm in a true emergency.

And of Course…Social Media

If you’re already planning ahead, you’re doing great. YouTube and other platforms are full of drivers sharing winter strategies that truly work. Every week we tag our Partners in Tale Lites who are all great resources, and are indiviuals passionate about helping drivers!

Stay Safe Out There

You’re the captain of your ship. The job is important, but no load is worth risking your life or your career. So whether you’re headed home or over the road this Thanksgiving, stay safe! Myself and the Truck Parking Club team are always here to help

📩 What are some of your winter driving tips?
Reply to this email or text (423) 275-2444 

Health Tip of the Week - Navigating the Holidays

The holidays can be panic mode for people who are trying to make healthier lifestyle changes. The end of the year is circumvented around food, alcohol, and travel. All while prioritizing movement, hydration, and protein takes a back seat. Here are 3 tips to keep you locked in over the holidays.

1. Eat your protein first

• Controls cravings before they hit

• Prevents overeating on stuffing, rolls, pie, etc.

• Keeps blood sugar steady so you don’t crash and snack all evening

• Naturally limits portions without feeling like you’re dieting

• Supports muscle and metabolism even on a big holiday

2. Get movement in early - Before guests arrive, block off 30-45min of walking. No need to sign up for the Turkey Trot or travel to a workout. Take th path of least resistance. Take the dogs out, call an old friend, walk on the treadmill, or get the Christmas lights out!

3. If consuming alcohol go 1:1 Drink to Water. This habit will automatically have you consuming less alcohol, which are empty calories, and will maintain hydration levels.

   Overall - Holidays are meant to be enjoyed, so enjoy them. The key is to not let one day of celebration derail you from your goals. It’s all about Progress, not perfection.

    

Partner Post of the Week

Check out our Partner Trent Odie for one of his go to OTR breakfast hacks. All you need is a microwave! Use the promo code trentodie for $20 off your next booking!

Truck Parking Club Partner Program

Do you create content for truckers, want to help solve the truck parking crisis, and an opportunity to give drivers FREE parking? Let’s work together! Click below to apply for Truck Parking Club’s Partner Program today!