Heavy-Duty Repair Transparency and Fairness Act (HD-RTFA)
HD-RTFA is model legislation written by Michael Thomas, founder of LFS. It proposes rules to bring fair, open pricing to heavy-duty truck repair, parts and towing, where one bad invoice can put a small carrier out of business.
Why HD-RTFA was written
When a truck breaks down, the owner has very little room to negotiate. The truck is stuck, the load is late, and every day off the road costs money. That is exactly when a repair or towing bill can be inflated, and a small carrier often pays because there is no other choice.
Over 25 years in freight, its author has seen trucking companies survive bad rates and slow freight, then close after one repair or tow they couldn't afford. Truck repair shop overcharging is a carrier problem, so it is an LFS problem. HD-RTFA is his proposal to fix it.
HD-RTFA is a proposal. It is not a law, and it does not change anyone's legal rights today.
The problems HD-RTFA addresses
- Repair prices that can't be compared or checked before the work is done.
- Parts marked up far beyond their cost, with no way for the owner to see the markup.
- Diagnostics locked to dealers, so an owner can't get a second opinion.
- Labor hours billed beyond what the job takes, and stacked surcharges on the invoice.
- Predatory towing and storage charges after a breakdown or roadside event.
- No central place to report a bad invoice or see how others have been charged.
What the proposal would do
HD-RTFA lays out a seven-part plan. Here are six of its main ideas in plain words:
Measure the problem
Collect regional data on repair prices, labor rates and complaints, so lawmakers can see where overcharging is worst.
Set fair price benchmarks
Build public reference prices for common parts, labor times and repairs, by region.
Check invoices
Give owners and fleets a way to submit an invoice and see whether parts, labor or diagnostics look out of line, with a dispute process.
Recognize honest shops
Score repair shops on clear pricing and fair billing, and publicly list the shops that meet the standard.
Teach owners and drivers
Teach drivers and small fleets how to read a repair invoice, what a warranty covers, and how to dispute a charge. Freight University would host this teaching.
Report and enforce
Publish regular public reports on repair pricing, address predatory towing, and give whistleblowers a confidential way to report abuse.
What you can do today
HD-RTFA is not law, but you don't have to wait for it to run your repairs the way a business should. These habits cost nothing and keep a record if you ever need to dispute a bill.
Good maintenance records also matter for compliance. Our article on why FMCSA can ask for your maintenance files explains what to keep, and our fleet management service can help you plan maintenance before it becomes a roadside repair.
- Ask for a written estimate before work starts.
- Ask for old parts back and an itemized invoice.
- Get a second opinion on large jobs when you can.
- Before agreeing to a tow, ask the rate, the storage fee and where the truck is going.
- Keep every invoice, photo and message in one file per truck.
Read the full HD-RTFA
The full text of HD-RTFA is free to read in the Freight University Library, alongside Michael's book The Knowledge Disease, which lays out why so many new carriers fail.
Questions and answers
Is HD-RTFA a law?
No. HD-RTFA is model legislation: a proposal written by Michael Thomas. It has no legal effect unless a legislature adopts it.
Who wrote HD-RTFA?
Michael Thomas, founder of Logistical Forwarding Solutions and Freight University.
Does HD-RTFA name or accuse specific repair shops?
This page does not name any shop or company. HD-RTFA is about rules for the whole repair and towing industry.
How can I support it?
Read it in the Freight University Library, share it, and if you'd like to talk about it, contact us.
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Free resources for trucking companies
These guides are free, written for owners of small trucking companies, and built around one question: what does this mean for your truck and your cash?
Ask about HD-RTFA
If you are a carrier, a lawmaker's office, a journalist or an association and want to discuss HD-RTFA, send a note.
Prefer the phone? Call 901-205-9679.