The list of approved electronic logging devices continues to shrink as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration steps up enforcement against systems that fail to meet federal standards. At the end of December, the agency confirmed that four additional ELDs had been removed from its list of registered devices.
FMCSA announced on Tuesday, Dec. 30, that the devices were officially moved to the revoked list after failing to meet minimum regulatory requirements. Drivers and carriers using any of the affected units are now facing a strict deadline to make the necessary changes.
Which ELDs were removed from the approved list
According to FMCSA, the following electronic logging devices are no longer authorized for use:
- Forward Thinking Systems Field Warrior ELD BYOD
- Forward Thinking Systems Field Warrior ELD Garmin
- DYNAMIC ELD
- Top Tracking System LLC P3TS
The agency cited “failure to meet the minimum requirements” outlined in Title 49 CFR Appendix A to Subpart B of Part 395. Those regulations define the functional standards that all ELDs must meet. FMCSA did not release specific details about which requirements each device failed to satisfy.
Why FMCSA says the removals matter
FMCSA leadership emphasized that ELD compliance is directly tied to safety on the road.
“Electronic logging devices play an important role in preventing unsafe driving practices,” FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs said in a statement. “When devices don’t meet federal requirements, they put safety at risk, and that’s why we take action to remove them and keep our roads safer for everyone.”
What drivers and carriers need to do next
Carriers currently operating with any of the revoked devices have until March 1 to replace them with an ELD that appears on FMCSA’s approved list. After that date, continued use of a revoked device will be treated the same as operating without an ELD.
FMCSA warned that failure to replace the devices by the deadline can result in a no record of duty status and drivers being placed out of service during inspections.
Ahead of the deadline, FMCSA advised drivers to temporarily switch to paper logs or logging software if they are currently using one of the revoked devices.
Replacing devices before the deadline is strongly encouraged
While ELDs can be returned to the approved list if the manufacturer corrects all identified deficiencies, FMCSA made it clear that carriers should not wait on that outcome.
The agency said it “strongly encourages” carriers to proactively replace affected devices in case the deficiencies are not resolved by the ELD providers.
ELD removals have accelerated over the past year
This latest action is part of a broader push by FMCSA to remove non-compliant ELDs from the market. Over the course of 2025, the agency revoked a total of 38 electronic logging devices.
“If an ELD isn’t meeting federal requirements, it’s taken out of service – plain and simple,” Barrs said earlier this month. “We’ll keep making clear, fair decisions that put safety first and support everyone who shares America’s roadways.”
Changes are coming to how ELDs are approved.
FMCSA has also announced plans for a complete overhaul of the ELD vetting process. Since the mandate took effect in 2017, manufacturers have been allowed to self-certify their devices. According to the agency, that system has made it easier for non-compliant devices to be registered or re-registered after removal.
While FMCSA has not released full details on the new approval process, the agency said it will include:
- An initial review
- Fraud detection measures
- Categorization into approved, information requested, further review, or denied
The agency has not confirmed whether self-certification will be eliminated.
What the changes mean for drivers
FMCSA says the updated vetting process is intended to give drivers and carriers greater confidence in the equipment they are required to use.
The agency said the new system will help ensure devices are “accurate, reliable, and compliant.”
“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,” Barrs said.
For drivers, the takeaway is simple. Check your ELD against FMCSA’s current approved list, know the March 1 deadline, and make changes early to avoid interruptions on the road.
Source: Land Line Media
