**FMCSA Panel Recommends Ban on Truck Lease-Purchase Contracts**
A federal task force has advised Congress to ban lease-purchase agreements in the trucking industry. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Truck Leasing Task Force (TLTF) released a report on January 22, stating that these programs often harm drivers rather than help them [FreightWaves](https://www.freightwaves.com/news/fmcsa-panel-recommends-ban-on-truck-lease-purchase-contracts).
The task force was formed by the U.S. Department of Transportation to investigate lease-purchase agreements. These contracts allow drivers to lease trucks with the option to buy them later. However, TLTF found that many of these agreements allegedly trap drivers in unfair financial situations. The report claims that motor carriers control drivers’ work, pay, and debt, making it difficult for them to succeed.
“Lease-purchase programs are regularly established to enrich motor carriers at the expense of drivers,” the report states. It also argues that these contracts push qualified drivers out of the industry and create financial risks that may lead to safety concerns on the road.
Not everyone agrees with banning these agreements. Some believe lease-purchase programs can provide a path to truck ownership for drivers who cannot afford to buy a truck outright. However, TLTF found that most drivers in these programs allegedly face financial struggles rather than business success.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which advised the task force, reviewed contracts and driver experiences. It found that lease-purchase agreements often contain unfair terms that put drivers at risk. The CFPB also warned that financial stress from these contracts could lead to unsafe driving conditions.
Since a congressional ban may be difficult to achieve, TLTF suggested other actions. These include whistleblower protections for drivers, stricter record-keeping requirements for motor carriers, and increased enforcement by the Department of Labor and CFPB.
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) supports the task force’s findings. “Predatory lease-purchase agreements prey on that trust, leaving drivers financially and emotionally broken,” said OOIDA President Todd Spencer.
The debate over lease-purchase agreements continues. While some see them as an opportunity, others argue they do more harm than good. Congress will now decide whether to act on the task force’s recommendations.