This is Part 3 of our 3 part series addressing some of the many questions regarding Chameleon Carriers operating on the highways and Interstates of the United States.

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Part 3: Government Progress, Remaining Challenges, and Industry Support

What Progress Have Federal Agencies Made?

Recent years have seen more focused enforcement:

• Large-scale inspections and sting operations have removed or proposed removal of thousands of training providers.
• English-language proficiency violations are being treated more seriously, with movement toward license revocation rather than temporary roadside orders.
• Requirements for a verifiable physical principal place of business are being restored so records can be inspected.
• A new registration system (Motus) is being introduced with stronger identity verification, including biometrics.
• Specific chameleon networks have been shut down after fatal crashes. Proposed rules aim to end self-certification for schools, require knowledge tests in English, and improve new-carrier vetting.

Legislation such as the Safety and Accountability in Freight Enforcement (SAFE) Act has been introduced to improve automated detection. Resources remain limited relative to the size of the industry, but the current focus represents one of the more sustained efforts in years.

What Percentage of These Carriers and Drivers Still Exist?

No official nationwide percentage is published. Industry estimates continue to place roughly 10–20% of active carriers somewhere on the chameleon spectrum. Thousands of reincarnated companies have been approved even as enforcement has increased. On the training side, thousands of providers have been removed, yet many others remain under review or unexamined. Tens of thousands of English-related enforcement actions have occurred, and some non-domiciled licenses have been canceled or restricted, but large numbers of licenses and operating authorities remain active. The gap between identified risk and completed shutdowns is still significant.

Do Most Major Carriers Support Cleaning This Up?

Yes. The American Trucking Associations (ATA), the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), and other industry groups have publicly supported crackdowns on CDL mills, stronger English-proficiency enforcement, and actions against chameleon carriers. They argue that these practices undermine safety, undercut companies that follow the rules, and damage the reputation of the industry. Major carriers generally support ensuring drivers are properly trained and licensed and canceling operating authority for non-compliant companies.

Conclusion

The chameleon carrier and CDL mill problems are documented risks that increase the severity of crashes, facilitate cargo theft, and allow unsafe operators to remain on the road. The 2022 self-certification system for training providers significantly expanded the training side of the issue. Recent federal enforcement has produced measurable results—removing thousands of schools and shutting down specific networks—and major industry groups support continued action.

Full progress requires sustained attention to identity verification, physical business addresses, English-language standards, third-party examiner oversight, and better systems for linking related companies. These steps protect both the traveling public and the large majority of trucking companies and drivers who operate safely and follow the rules.

Sources

Information in this briefing is drawn from publicly reported analyses of U.S. Department of Transportation and FMCSA data (including CBS News), Government Accountability Office reports, FMCSA enforcement announcements, and statements from industry organizations such as the American Trucking Associations and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association. Exact remaining percentages and precise totals of mill-trained drivers are not published as official nationwide figures; the numbers presented reflect the best available public data and enforcement tallies as of late 2026.