New Trucking Bill Targets 'Predatory' Lease Deals That Keep Drivers Trapped in Debt

The Predatory Truck Leasing Prevention Act of 2025 is aimed squarely at one of the shadier practices in the trucking industry: lease-purchase agreements that look like a path to ownership but often turn into a debt trap for drivers.

What’s the Bill Actually Doing?

This bill doesn't ban truck leasing outright, but it mandates a major cleanup. Within one year of the law passing, the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) must create new rules specifically banning "predatory commercial motor vehicle lease-purchase agreement programs." The core problem this bill addresses is the setup where a driver leases a truck from the carrier they work for, and even though the carrier controls their work schedule, pay, and debt, the driver never actually builds equity in the vehicle or is forced to forfeit any equity they do manage to accumulate. Think of it as a lease where you make all the payments, but the company can pull the rug out and leave you with nothing to show for it.

The Fine Print: Defining 'Predatory'

The bill defines a predatory program not just by the lease contract itself, but by the entire relationship—the lease, the driver's work contract, and how the carrier handles recruiting and finances. For a program to be considered predatory, the carrier is essentially running the show: they control the driver's work, pay, and debt, while the driver is left with zero ownership stake or loses any built-up equity. This is huge because it acknowledges that the problem isn't just one bad clause, but the entire system designed to keep the driver in debt and dependent on the motor carrier.

Who Gets the Relief?

For drivers who sign a predatory lease after the new DOT rules are in effect, the bill provides a way out. If the Secretary finds that the terms of their lease violate the new regulations, the driver can get relief from the unfair contract terms. This is a critical protection for future drivers, offering a clear path to challenge exploitative deals. However, it's important to note that this relief mechanism is narrowly focused: it only applies to leases signed after the new regulations take effect, meaning drivers currently stuck in older, similar predatory contracts won't be able to use this specific provision to get out.

The Real-World Impact on the Road

For the estimated 3.5 million truck drivers in the U.S., many of whom are independent contractors trying to own their rig, this bill could be a game-changer. Imagine a driver who works 60 hours a week, making payments on a truck they believe they are buying. Under a predatory scheme, the carrier might deduct excessive maintenance fees or control freight loads in a way that makes it impossible to cover costs, ultimately leading the driver to default and lose the truck—and all the money they invested. This law aims to stop that cycle, making it more likely that drivers who choose the lease-purchase route can actually achieve asset ownership and financial independence, rather than just being permanent renters for the company they work for. It shifts the risk balance back toward fairness, forcing carriers to offer genuine paths to ownership if they use these agreements.