ICC Needs To Eliminate Improper Leasing Practices by Certificated Motor Carriers

GAO was requested to determine: (1) the extent of leasing in the trucking industry; (2) the differences, if any, in services rendered to owner-operators by motor carriers certified by the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) and those rendered by agricultural brokers; and (3) the reasonableness of the fees charged for those services. GAO analyzed financial data collected by ICC from certificated carriers to determine whether there were significant profitability differences that could be traced to the use of owner-operators. GAO also gathered data from truck brokers and certificated carriers to determine whether there were significant differences in the services provided to owner-operators and the costs of providing those services.