The American Transportation Research Institute is asking truck drivers and motor carriers to provide input on unauthorized cabotage activity taking place within the United States as part of a new industry research effort.
According to ATRI, the organization’s Research Advisory Committee identified cabotage enforcement and its potential impact on the trucking industry as a major research priority.
Federal law generally prohibits foreign truck drivers operating under B-1 visas from performing point-to-point freight transportation inside the United States beyond a limited permitted activity.
Under current rules, B-1 visa holders are typically allowed to complete one pickup or delivery within the U.S. tied to an international movement. However, ATRI said anecdotal reports suggest some foreign drivers may be operating outside those limitations and conducting additional domestic freight activity beyond border commercial zones.
ATRI Says Research Will Focus on Industry Impact
ATRI’s new survey asks truck drivers and motor carriers to share information about where and when suspected unauthorized cabotage activity is being observed.
The organization said survey responses will help support a larger research effort aimed at measuring the economic impact unauthorized cabotage may have on U.S. freight operations, trucking jobs, and carrier competition.
“Cabotage laws were created to protect U.S. jobs and ensure that a level playing field exists,” said Kaitlyn Holmecki, American Trucking Associations’ director of international policy. “When illegal low-cost transportation services undercut domestic freight operations, the entire trucking industry pays the price.”
ATRI said the research findings will eventually be used to help build an economic model estimating the broader financial impact unauthorized cabotage activity may have across the trucking industry.
Survey Responses Will Remain Confidential
The organization said all responses submitted through the survey will remain confidential and will only be used in summary statistical reporting.
The survey remains open through June 12 and is available to both truck drivers and motor carriers.
Cabotage enforcement has remained a recurring topic throughout trucking as concerns continue surrounding cross-border freight operations, labor costs, regulatory enforcement, and competitive pressure tied to international freight movement.
Industry groups supporting stronger enforcement have argued that unauthorized domestic freight activity involving foreign drivers can place downward pressure on freight rates and create competitive disadvantages for U.S.-based carriers and drivers operating under domestic regulations.
ATRI encouraged truck drivers and fleets with firsthand observations related to cabotage activity to participate in the survey as part of the ongoing research effort.
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Last updated: May 19, 2026
