How many anons have CDLs?
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Highway is the leader in Carrier Identity® solutions, empowering freight brokers to prevent fraud, automate compliance, and securely build networks. Highway enables brokers to deliver exceptional service, drive growth, and enforce new industry standards confidently.
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(A less-than-truckload crossdock.)
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Hello, is this Mr. “No name given”?
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In a peculiar case highlighting California’s commercial driver’s license (CDL) issuance policies, a $1.6 million cargo theft bust revealed a driver with a CDL listing "No Name Given" as the first name and "Diamond" as the last name. The incident, reported by Overdrive on June 17, 2025, involved a tractor-trailer carrying stolen electronics, intercepted by Arizona Highway Patrol on I-40 after the load was stolen from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. The recovery was aided by Overhaul, a cargo theft prevention firm, which noted that three individuals, including two drivers, were arrested, two of whom were in the U.S. illegally. This case spotlighted California’s CDL credentialing process, raising questions about its vetting procedures.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) explained that state law requires CDL applicants to provide identity documents, such as a birth certificate or passport, reflecting their "true full name." If an identity document lists "No Name Given" in the first name field, the DMV records it as such on the CDL. This policy applies uniformly to all driver’s licenses and IDs issued by the DMV. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services notes that single-name individuals, common in some cultures like in Afghanistan, may have "No Name Given" inserted for missing names, which California honors.
California’s CDL issuance extends to non-citizens, offering "limited term" CDLs to foreign nationals without tracking their citizenship status. Applicants can submit various documents, including utility bills or letters from shelters, to prove residency. A 2022 bill signed by Governor Gavin Newsom aims to expand Real ID access by 2027, including for undocumented immigrants, aligning with federal standards. However, federal law mandates proof of legal U.S. presence for CDL applicants.
To prevent similar incidents, Overhaul recommends thorough vetting of drivers and carriers, including photographing vehicles and verifying CDL credentials. The case underscores broader concerns about non-domiciled CDLs, with states like Illinois and Texas reporting significant issuances to foreign drivers. Critics argue this practice, coupled with lax oversight, raises safety and economic concerns, prompting calls for stricter federal and state regulations. The incident highlights the complexities of CDL issuance and the need for robust verification to ensure highway safety and prevent fraud.
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Freight Fraud Video of the Week 🤩
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Jarret Stowe, Director of Product for Brokers at DAT, discusses best practices for load board security at FreightWaves’ Freight Fraud event in Dallas, Texas.
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How Cooler Logistics Built a Zero-Fraud Network
Founded in September 2023 by industry veterans CEO Michael Cherney and President Jon Michelon, Cooler Logistics took a bold stance against fraud—ditching public load boards in favor of trusted, identity-first sourcing. With Highway, they got the infrastructure to back it up.
- Verified carriers at the identity level
- Automated compliance embedded in their TMS
- Zero stolen loads or double brokering incidents
"Our carrier sourcing approach is less transactional and more relationship building. We believe wholeheartedly that this is very different from what is industry standard, but better relationships on the carrier side will lead to better service and better pricing for our partners on the client side." — Michael Cherney, CEO at Cooler Logistics
Cooler’s story is proof that speed, trust, and fraud prevention can go hand-in-hand.
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Ohio couple pleads guilty to using trucking companies for COVID-related loan fraud
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(Photo: Small Business Administration
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In a case highlighting fraudulent exploitation of pandemic relief programs, Ajay Chawla, 60, and Ruhi Chawla, 50, a West Chester, Ohio couple, pleaded guilty to wire fraud on June 16, 2025, for illicitly obtaining over $900,000 in COVID-19 relief funds through their transportation companies. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio reported that the couple misrepresented employee numbers and gross revenues on loan applications for four Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and three Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) across their businesses: Prime Transportation and Logistics Inc., ABC Trucking Inc., Apex Truck Lines LLC, and A1 Diesel Truck Repair LLC. Additionally, Ajay Chawla admitted to submitting a false statement to the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regarding Apex Truck Lines’ ownership.
The Chawlas’ guilty pleas underscore a broader issue of fraud in pandemic relief programs, with the couple facing up to 20 years in prison for wire fraud. The case, charged in March 2025, reflects ongoing efforts by authorities to combat such schemes, as emphasized by Anthony Licari, Special Agent in Charge at the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, who highlighted the commitment to addressing fraud undermining transportation program integrity. Kelly Moening of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration also noted the collaborative effort to prosecute those defrauding public relief efforts.
This case aligns with other recent fraud convictions, such as a California trucking company owner pleading guilty to PPP fraud and a South Florida executive sentenced for a $100 million Ponzi scheme, indicating a pattern of financial misconduct in the trucking industry. The Chawlas’ actions not only misused funds intended for struggling businesses but also raised concerns about oversight in loan distribution, prompting calls for stricter verification processes to prevent future fraud.
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