New legislation targets foreign tampering of trucking records as part of broader highway safety initiative
Sarasota, Florida – A bipartisan group of lawmakers is seeking to tighten oversight of commercial trucking records with new legislation designed to prevent overseas personnel from altering electronic driver logs used to monitor safety compliance on American highways.
Florida Congressman Greg Steube and Ohio Congressman Dave Taylor recently introduced the Guarding Hours-of-Service Oversight and Stopping Tampering by Remote Unofficial Carrier Keeper Act, known as the GHOSTRUCK Act. The proposal aims to close what lawmakers describe as a dangerous gap in current regulations governing Electronic Logging Devices, commonly known as ELDs.
ELDs are used throughout the trucking industry to track drivers’ hours on the road and help enforce federal Hours-of-Service rules. Those regulations are intended to reduce fatigued driving and improve roadway safety by limiting the amount of time commercial drivers can operate vehicles before taking required breaks.
Supporters of the legislation argue that current law does not clearly prohibit foreign-based dispatchers and other personnel from making changes to ELD records from locations outside North America.
“Foreign dispatchers should not be able to manipulate trucking safety records from halfway around the world and put American lives at risk,” said Rep. Greg Steube. “Reports have exposed how overseas actors are falsifying driver logs, overworking truckers beyond safe limits, and avoiding accountability when tragedies occur. The GHOSTRUCK Act closes this loophole and helps keep our roads safe.”
Proposed changes focus on accountability and safety
Under the proposed legislation, edits or annotations to Electronic Logging Device records could only be made by carriers, dispatchers, or drivers who are physically located within North America.
The bill would also preserve an existing requirement that drivers maintain final approval authority over any proposed changes to their records.
Lawmakers say the measure is intended to address reports that foreign-based dispatchers have altered driver logs in ways that allowed truckers to remain on the road beyond legal limits or receive improper compensation.
Congressman Dave Taylor emphasized that commercial drivers share the road every day with families across the country and said accountability remains critical.
“Beyond powering our nation’s supply chain and economy, our nation’s truck drivers share the road with American families, and there’s nothing more important than ensuring everyone reaches their destinations safely,” said Congressman Dave Taylor. “I am proud to join Rep. Steube in introducing the GHOSTRUCK Act to hold bad actors accountable for tampering with electronic logging devices, enhance accountability on the road, and ultimately make American roads safe again.”
Supporters of the legislation note that while American drivers or dispatchers can face legal consequences if tampered records contribute to a fatal crash, foreign-based individuals often remain beyond the reach of U.S. enforcement efforts.
Industry groups back the proposal
The GHOSTRUCK Act has received support from several major trucking organizations, including the American Trucking Associations, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, Florida Trucking Association, Truckload Carriers Association, National Motor Freight Traffic Association, and National Tank Truck Carriers.
Industry representatives argue that accurate Hours-of-Service records are essential for ensuring compliance with safety regulations and maintaining confidence in the transportation system.
Supporters say ELD records are designed to document a driver’s duty status accurately and help regulators identify violations that could increase crash risks.
Organizations backing the bill also contend that allowing overseas personnel to alter those records creates opportunities for abuse, including driver coercion, freight fraud, and unsafe operating practices.
The legislation comes as concerns continue to grow about increasing demand on the trucking industry and the need to balance efficient freight movement with strong safety protections.
Advocates believe the proposal would strengthen transparency, reinforce accountability, and help preserve the integrity of the electronic logging system that regulators and transportation companies rely upon every day.
If approved by Congress, the GHOSTRUCK Act would establish new safeguards intended to ensure that edits to trucking safety records remain under the control of authorized personnel within North America while preserving drivers’ authority to approve any changes made to their logs.
Supporters say those measures would help improve highway safety, protect drivers from improper pressure, and reduce opportunities for manipulation within the nation’s commercial transportation system.
