Truck drivers have dealt with ELD headaches ever since the mandate landed back in 2017, and now the FMCSA says big changes are finally coming. On Dec. 1, the agency announced what it called “a complete overhaul” of how electronic logging devices are vetted before being added to the approved list.
Right now, the system lets ELD companies vouch for themselves. A provider can self-certify a device, upload it to the FMCSA list, and even re-register it after it has been revoked. Drivers know how that plays out on the road with glitchy screens, devices freezing mid-shift, and surprise malfunctions that lead to violations you did not earn.
FMCSA says this new process is intended to give drivers and carriers more confidence that the devices they buy are accurate, reliable, and compliant, rather than simply accepted because a manufacturer claimed they met the rules.
FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs said in a news release, “American families deserve to feel safe sharing a road with semi-trucks, and we want truck drivers to have the best tools to maximize those safety precautions. By strengthening our review process for ELDs, we are ensuring the industry can rely on trusted equipment and that hardworking drivers are prioritizing their health and well-being, so they are best prepared to keep driving America’s economy forward.”
What is Changing
FMCSA has not released the full plan yet, and the agency did not respond to questions about timelines or whether self-certification will be fully removed. The agency did say that the updated system will involve an initial review, fraud checks, and a new classification status of approved, information requested, further review, or denied.
For drivers, this could mean fewer unreliable or noncompliant devices slipping through and fewer sudden revocations while the device is already in use.
Other ELD Rule Updates Drivers Should Know About
In 2022, FMCSA asked for feedback on several potential updates, including whether pre-2000 engines should remain exempt, how to handle ELD malfunctions, how devices get removed from the approved list, technical changes, and possible certification adjustments.
The comment period ended in November 2022. The next step, an official proposed rule, is not expected until May 2026.
One piece is settled. The exemption for pre-2000 engines will stay in place. The Department of Transportation confirmed this in its Pro-Trucker Package released earlier this year.
OOIDA reinforced its long-standing position against the mandate in its 2022 comments. The association wrote, “Our members have vigorously opposed the ELD mandate since its inception. There was never sufficient research indicating the mandate would improve highway safety, and the agency still lacks data demonstrating any positive safety results since its full implementation.”
What This Means for Drivers
Drivers should continue paying close attention to FMCSA announcements and be careful with device selection. If the agency follows through with this overhaul, drivers should eventually deal with fewer unreliable ELDs and fewer surprise removals from the approved list.
As more details come out, the new system could change how both individual drivers and small carriers choose equipment and may reduce time lost to malfunctioning tech instead of moving freight.
Source: Land Line Media
