FMCSA Pulls HERO ELD From Approved Device List

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has removed another electronic logging device from its list of registered units, tightening oversight on equipment used to track hours of service.

On April 2, the agency confirmed that the HERO ELD, identified under model number HRS with ELD identifier HRS205, has been placed on the revoked list. This means the device no longer meets federal standards required for compliance.

According to the agency, the device was removed due to a “failure to meet the minimum requirements” outlined in Title 49 CFR Appendix A to Subpart B of Part 395. These regulations define the technical and functional standards all electronic logging devices must follow. Officials did not provide additional details about the specific deficiency that led to the removal.

Carriers currently using the HERO ELD have a limited window to make changes. FMCSA is allowing up to 60 days to transition to a compliant device. During that time, operators must ensure they remain in compliance with hours of service rules.

Drivers and fleets using the affected unit are expected to take immediate steps. This includes stopping use of the revoked device and switching to paper logs or approved logging software to record hours of service. A replacement ELD must be installed before June 2 using a device that appears on the FMCSA’s registered list.

The issue also brings renewed attention to how ELDs enter the market. When the mandate first took effect, manufacturers were allowed to self-certify their devices rather than going through a formal approval process. That approach made it easier for new technology to roll out quickly, but it also raised concerns about quality and compliance.

Recent comments from FMCSA leadership suggest those concerns are now being addressed more aggressively. Speaking at the Mid America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky, FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs said roughly 430 ELD companies attempted to self-certify within the past six months. The agency is now taking steps to ensure those devices are properly vetted.

Barrs has also pointed to broader issues tied to self-certification across multiple areas of the industry, including entry-level driver training programs and medical examiners.

“The issue is that it opens the door up for a lack of oversight, which opens the door for potential fraud occurring,” Barrs said. “People are not following the rules because no one is watching. I use the no one’s minding the story type of analogy. If nobody’s watching, then I’m going to find a way to skirt the system, which then compromises safety.”

With another device now removed from the approved list, the message is clear that compliance standards are being enforced more closely. Fleets relying on electronic logging devices should verify that their equipment meets current requirements to avoid disruptions and stay aligned with federal regulations.