The Securing American Freight, Enforcement, and Reliability in Transport Act, or SAFER Transport Act, seeks to significantly reduce freight fraud and theft across the United States. To achieve this, the bill mandates the establishment of a Freight Fraud and Theft Advisory Committee within 60 days, composed of diverse stakeholders, to provide recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation. Additionally, it requires the Secretary of Transportation and the Attorney General to enter into a memorandum of understanding within 180 days, ensuring the Department of Transportation (DOT) notifies the Department of Justice (DOJ) of identified fraud and theft, and that DOJ establishes a process for handling such information. A major provision of the bill involves securing the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) registration system. Over a five-year period, the bill phases out the use of MC numbers, requiring all motor carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders to transition to a single, unique USDOT number. It also amends existing law to define "covered felony," allowing the Secretary to withhold or revoke registration from entities convicted of such felonies related to motor carrier operations or commercial vehicle use. The legislation also strengthens state licensing requirements for commercial drivers and improves the Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Training Provider Registry. States issuing CDLs to non-citizens or lawful permanent residents must confirm work authorization and align license expiration with work authorization dates. Furthermore, states are required to submit monthly reports on CDL issuances and revocations. The FMCSA must establish processes to audit training providers , remove those failing to disclose relationships or found guilty of fraud, and ensure all providers register a principal place of business. To prevent and detect fraud in the registration system, the Administrator must develop automated systems within one year to flag suspicious activity, such as rapid information changes or duplicate identifiers. A process for reviewing these "flagged users" is established, allowing for temporary suspension of registration during investigations. If fraud is confirmed, the Administrator can remove the entity from public view, restrict system access, or suspend/revoke operating authority, while maintaining records of fraudulent actors to aid future detection. The Administrator must also issue guidance to motor carriers and brokers on protecting against fraudulent activities. The bill enhances the enforcement of cabotage laws by requiring an MOU between the FMCSA Administrator and the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regarding communication of violations. It explicitly prohibits foreign-domiciled or foreign-controlled motor carriers from transporting domestic cargo point-to-point within the United States. Similarly, it forbids motor carriers from knowingly using unauthorized alien drivers for such domestic transport, with the Administrator mandated to revise relevant regulations within one year. Other key provisions include the reimbursement of certain victims of cargo theft by the CBP Commissioner for fines paid due to unsealed containers, provided the theft occurred. The bill also establishes criminal penalties, including fines and up to five years imprisonment, for knowingly submitting or using "fraudulent certifications" to engage in unlawful transportation. It defines and requires "foreign dispatch services" to register as brokers, ensuring greater oversight of these entities. Finally, the legislation clarifies the definition of a "broker" to explicitly exclude entities providing only financial assistance, analysis, or accounting services, thereby focusing regulatory efforts on those directly arranging transportation. It also amends record maintenance requirements, stipulating that records must be maintained or made accessible at a carrier's or broker's principal place of business, while allowing for investigations at other locations or virtually.