January 2026
NMFTA Headline Newsletter
We’ve designed this newsletter to be a vehicle to communicate general trucking issues as well as the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc.® (NMFTA)™ activities.
In This Month's Edition
Table of Contents
Coming Soon:
SCAC Verified
SCAC is changing, and it’s an important step forward for the freight industry.
SCAC Verified™ is a new enhancement to the Standard Carrier Alpha Code® (SCAC™) that introduces identity verification for non-Class 8 carriers as part of the SCAC application and renewal process. This change is designed to help reduce freight fraud, impersonation, and double brokering before they happen.
- For non-Class 8 carriers: There's a new ID verification process with SCAC application and renewal. Learn more here
- For Class 8 carriers: no changes to your SCAC application and renewal process at this time.
- For intermodal, railroad, and maritime: no changes to your SCAC application and renewal process at this time.
Top News
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The Cybersecurity Trends Transportation Leaders Need to Know in 2026
The NMFTA annual Trucking Cybersecurity Trends Report has evolved into the 2026 Transportation Industry Cybersecurity Trends Report. This expanded edition reflects a critical reality: every stakeholder who touches freight movement—carriers, shippers, brokers, 3PLs, logistics platforms, and technology providers—is now part of the attack surface.
This year’s report provides a first look at the risks, tactics, and threat shifts that will define 2026. From AI-driven fraud schemes to the blending of physical and digital compromise, the findings are designed to help both executives and practitioners strengthen resilience before threats escalate.
Download the report and get the insights you need to stay ahead of the cyber and freight-fraud landscape in 2026.
Freight Classification Webinar Series Begins Next Month
Starting February 3, 2026 | 1:00-2:00 pm ET
Join us in February for the 2026 Freight Classification Webinar Series 1, designed to help you navigate National Motor Freight Classification® (NMFC)™ rules with confidence. Register now to sharpen your classification knowledge and start 2026 on solid footing.
Get a Glimpse of Where the 2026 Freight Market is Headed
Get the clarity you need to navigate uncertainty, anticipate shifts, and make smarter decisions for 2026. Download the Q1 2026 U.S. Economic Update for a clear, grounded assessment of where the freight economy truly stands, what changed beneath the surface in late 2025.
NMFC Docket 2026-1 Available February 6, 2026
NMFC Docket 2026-1 will be posted to the Public Docket Files on February 6. This docket outlines proposed classification changes that may impact how freight is described, rated, and moved. Reviewing the docket early helps carriers, shippers, and logistics providers understand what’s changing, and where to focus attention before updates move forward. ClassIT+™ makes it easier to explore proposed changes, review impacted items, and stay informed as the docket progresses.
Events & Meetings
Ask Us Anything: Understanding the SCAC Verification Process for Non-Class 8 Carriers
February 4, 2026 | 2:00-3:00 pm ET
Starting February 26, 2026, a new verification process will apply to Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC) applications and renewals for non-Class 8 carriers. To help you get ahead of the change, join our expert panel for an interactive Q&A session where we’ll walk through what’s changing, what to expect, and how to prepare.
Hear from Leaders Digitizing the Freight Industry
February 9, 2026 | Las Vegas, NV
In this panel discussion, taking place at 12:00 pm PT at Manifest 2026 in Las Vegas, NV, DSDC council members will share real-world experiences implementing these standards, lessons learned, and insights into how standardized data exchange is transforming operations for shippers, carriers, 3PLs, and technology providers. Register now to join the conversation and help shape the future of freight digitization.
Please note: With the NMFTA exclusive discount, the price to attend Manifest Vegas 2026 is $2,095 (NMFTA Partner Code for $200 off).
Don't Miss the 2026 DSDC Membership Meeting in Las Vegas
February 10, 2026 | Las Vegas, NV
The DSDC Membership Meeting will place Tuesday, February 10 during Manifest 2026 in Las Vegas. This once-a-year in-person meeting brings together carriers, shippers, and technology providers to align on priorities, discuss adoption progress, and set the direction for 2026’s API standards initiatives.
Ask Us Anything: Docket 2026-1
February 18, 2026 | 2:00-3:00 pm ET
Join the NMFTA classification team for an interactive Ask Us Anything webinar focused on Docket 2026-1, releasing Friday, February 6, 2026. Bring your questions and get real-time answers from NMFTA experts on proposed items, timelines, participation opportunities, and what to expect as the docket moves forward.
Spring Forward and Network with Other LTL Carriers
March 8-10, 2026 | Savannah, GA
In just two months, NMFTA is heading to Savannah, GA for its 2026 Spring Meeting, March 8-10, 2026. Join us for three days of collaboration, innovation, and industry insights with leaders shaping the future of freight. Save your spot now and start planning your trip—you won’t want to miss this one!
Please Note: Hotel reservations must be made by Friday, February 6, 2026, to receive group room rate.
Resources
Take the Guesswork out of Classification Conversions with ClassIT+
Need help converting between freight classifications? Use the ClassIT+ Conversion Calculator to make accurate conversions faster—so you can reduce guesswork and keep classifications consistent. Learn More >
ICYMI: Why NMFTA is Changing it's Relationship with SCAC Resellers—to Strengthen Security and Prevent Freight Fraud
Freight fraud is evolving, and NMFTA is taking action to stay ahead of it. Find out why NMFTA is changing its relationship with SCAC resellers—and how those updates strengthen security and protect the integrity of the freight industry.
NMFTA Perspective Published in Journal of Commerce
NMFTA recently shared its perspective in the Journal of Commerce, offering insight into key trends and challenges facing the freight transportation industry. Read the article to see how our viewpoint contributes to the broader conversation shaping supply chain strategy and policy.
How Your Shipment Data Actually Changes the NMFC: The Commodity Profile Database
Your shipment data does more than track movements—it directly shapes the NMFC and the Commodity Profile Database used across the industry. See how your contributions help improve classification accuracy and strengthen freight standards for everyone.
The Fight Against Freight Fraud Begins With One Change That Can Transform the Industry
Freight fraud continues to cost carriers and brokers millions every year, but there’s one practical change that can make a meaningful difference. Learn how this simple shift can help strengthen trust, reduce risk, and protect your business.
The SCAC Directory: The Industry's Single Source of Truth for Accurate Carrier Identification
Accurate carrier identification matters more than ever—and the Standard Carrier Alpha Code® (SCAC™) Directory makes it simple. Learn why it’s the industry’s single source of truth and how using it helps prevent errors, delays, and costly confusion.
What You Missed: Key Takeaways from Our Benchmarking Insights Webinar
Catch up on the key insights you may have missed from our LTL Benchmarking Insights webinar, where industry trends and performance data were unpacked for actionable takeaways. Read the most important findings and what they mean for your business moving forward.
We've Been Listening—and We're Expanding the Conversation
We’ve heard your feedback, and it’s shaping what comes next. Learn how NMFTA is expanding the conversation to better reflect the full freight ecosystem and ensure more voices, perspectives, and challenges are part of the dialogue moving forward.
Trucking Cybersecurity News
Get Your Questions Answered in Real-Time
January 22, 2026 | 1:00-2:00 pm ET
Join the NMFTA cybersecurity team for a live, interactive webinar, on January 22, 2026 at 1:00 pm ET, where we’ll break down the key findings from the 2026 Transportation Industry Cybersecurity Trends Report, answer your questions in real time, and translate emerging threat data into practical insights you can apply across fleets, operations, and supply chains.
Call for Abstracts Are Now Open. Submit Yours!
The call for abstracts is now open for the NMFTA 2026 Cybersecurity Conference, dedicated to exploring the crucial intersection of cybersecurity and the trucking industry. This is an excellent opportunity to share your insights, research, and innovations with a diverse audience keen on enhancing cybersecurity practices within the trucking industry.
Submissions must be received by the deadline: Saturday, February 28, 2026.
Evolving Threats in the Transportation Sector
February 19, 2026 | 1:00-2:00pm ET
As transportation systems become more connected, cybersecurity risks—from ELD tampering to GPS spoofing—are creating new opportunities for fraud, disruption, and safety concerns across the freight ecosystem. Join the NMFTA cybersecurity team as they break down these evolving threats and share practical strategies to help protect operations in an increasingly digital transportation landscape.
Interested in Attending this Year?
Enter your email below to join the 2026 #NMFTACyber Conference mailing list to get early access to news on registration, speakers, sessions, cyber insights, and more.
Industry News
What Fleets are Doing, or Not Doing, that Leads to 'Nuclear' Verdicts
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) latest research highlights how certain fleet practices and alleged negligence can contribute to so-called “nuclear” verdicts, extremely high jury awards, in trucking litigation that can have serious financial and legal consequences for carriers. Understand the trends behind these verdicts and what behaviors are most often linked to the biggest payouts so you can stay informed and proactive.
FMCSA Drops Four ELDs from List of Registered Devices
FMCSA recently removed four ELDs from its list of registered devices, affecting fleets and carriers who rely on compliant technology for hours-of-service tracking. See which units were dropped and what steps operators may need to take next.
USDOT Provides $118.8M in Grants to Bolster Safety, Training
The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced millions in new grants aimed at strengthening commercial driver license (CDL) safety enforcement and expanding driver training programs nationwide. Learn how this funding could impact roadway safety, CDL compliance, and workforce development across the trucking industry.
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