ELDs That Were Removed

FMCSA announced that the following devices have been moved to the revoked list:

• PSS ELD (Model Number PRS, ELD Identifier PRS271)
  • Black Bear ELD (Model Number BRS, ELD Identifier BRS254)
  • RT ELD Plus ACCURATE ELITE (Model Number RT ELITE BLE3647, ELD Identifier RTEL47)

Any carrier or driver using these devices must take steps to remain compliant with hours-of-service regulations.

Replacement Deadline

Carriers have until February 7 to replace the revoked ELDs with a unit listed on the FMCSA’s current list of approved devices. After that date, running one of the revoked units will be treated as having no record of duty status. This can result in being placed out of service.

Until a replacement device is installed, FMCSA directs drivers using any of these three units to use paper logs or logging software to record their hours of service.

Why the Devices Were Revoked

FMCSA states that the devices were removed for “failure to meet the minimum requirements” in Title 49 CFR Appendix A to Subpart B of Part 395. The agency did not specify which requirements were not met.

Manufacturers can be reinstated to the approved list if they correct the issues identified by the agency. FMCSA advises carriers to prepare for the possibility that the deficiencies may not be corrected.

Part of a Larger Pattern

These three devices join others that have been removed this year. FMCSA has now placed 34 ELDs on the revoked list in 2025.

FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs stated,
“If an ELD isn’t meeting federal requirements, it’s taken out of service, plain and simple. We’ll keep making clear, fair decisions that put safety first and support everyone who shares America’s roadways.”

Changes Coming to the ELD Approval Process

FMCSA recently announced a complete overhaul of the ELD vetting process. Since 2017, manufacturers have been permitted to self-certify their products. According to the agency, this made it possible for non-compliant or previously revoked devices to be registered again.

FMCSA said the updated process will include an initial review, fraud detection, and categorization into approved, information requested, further review, and denied. The agency has not provided additional details on how the new system will operate or whether self-certification will continue.

Barrs stated, “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.”

Source: Land Line Media

The post FMCSA Removes Three More ELDs From Approved List appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

CargoNet’s latest numbers paint the picture: freight theft went up 27% in 2024 compared to 2023. The average load stolen was worth more than $200,000. Since 2021, strategic theft, where scammers pose as legitimate carriers or brokers to get access to freight, has jumped a staggering 1,500%.

Some of the biggest fraud tactics happening right now include:
• Identity theft: Scammers pretending to be known carriers or brokers
• Double brokering: Loads handed off illegally without the shipper knowing
• Phishing and smishing: Fake emails and texts to steal credentials
• Data spoofing: Faking driver info, location tracking, or safety scores with VOIP phone numbers and bogus accounts
• False documentation: Altered insurance and equipment paperwork

The problem is made worse by tight schedules, pressure to move freight quickly, and scattered vetting systems. By the time a missing load is noticed, it is often too late. The American Trucking Associations estimates freight crime is costing the industry up to $35 billion every year, while also driving up insurance rates and consumer prices.

FMCSA Steps In With New Anti-Fraud Measures

With scams growing in number and complexity, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has rolled out some of its strongest measures to date. In April 2025, the agency began updating the Unified Registration System (URS) to better verify who is actually applying for authority.

As part of the switch to the new MOTUS registration platform, FMCSA now requires new commercial driver applicants to:
• Match their ID with a facial scan
• List a real, physical business address (no PO boxes or store-based mailboxes)

Existing carriers will be added in the next phase. These steps bring a new level of traceability to the USDOT application process and make it harder for fraudsters to hide behind fake credentials.

What Fleets and Drivers Can Do to Protect Their Loads

FMCSA enforcement alone is not enough. Carriers, dispatchers, brokers, and drivers all play a role. Here are practical ways transportation teams can push back against fraud:

• Strengthen onboarding checks: Use tools that match FMCSA data with VIN verification, insurance proof, geo tracking history, and identity validation before a truck ever gets the load.
  • Score carriers for risk before tendering a load: Assign fraud or performance scores to carriers so high-risk operators are flagged before booking.
  • Train teams to spot red flags: Dispatchers and reps should be on alert for things like sudden profile edits, mismatched identities, or VOIP phone numbers tied to multiple driver accounts.
  • Use automation for alerts and response: Trigger real-time warnings for route changes, long tracking gaps, or sudden shifts in contact info.
  • Work with FMCSA reporting tools: Verify credentials and report scams through updated FMCSA portals. The more data shared, the harder it is for scammers to operate.

Stopping Theft Takes Teamwork

FMCSA’s push for multi-factor authentication, improved registration systems, and better verification is a big step toward cleaning up the system. But cybersecurity and fraud prevention do not stop there.

Shippers, brokers, and carriers must stay aligned. That means:

• Verifying brokers and loads before pickup
  • Using GPS tracking in real time
  • Training drivers to walk away from suspicious instructions or fake pickup attempts
  • Choosing partners who take cybersecurity seriously

With stronger systems and better collaboration, the industry can reduce theft, protect profit margins, and keep freight moving safely.

Source: Commercial Carrier Journal

The post FMCSA Cracks Down as Freight Fraud Surges Across the Industry appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The move gives relief to drivers in 12 states that missed the original June deadline for converting to electronic records. The FMCSA has set Oct. 12 as the nationwide cutoff for mandatory electronic submission of MECs, which are required for all interstate CDL holders, commercial learner’s permit holders, and their employers.

Under the updated waiver, motor carriers and drivers may use paper MECs as proof of medical certification for 60 days from the exam date, allowing legal operation while the transition to the National Registry II (NRII) system continues.

This latest waiver follows one issued in mid-July, which allowed a 15-day grace period for paper records.

“FMCSA determined that modifying the initial waiver is in the public interest to prevent undue hardship on drivers with valid medical certification and their employers due to potential processing delays outside of their control during this transition period,” the agency noted.

FMCSA Chief Counsel Jesse Elison highlighted challenges drivers faced under the July waiver. In a four-page letter approving the updated 60-day period, Elison wrote that drivers had difficulty uploading paper records to the electronic system within the original 15-day window.

“The waiver, with this modification, is likely to achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety that would be obtained in the absence of the waiver,” Elison said. “This waiver simply allows drivers and motor carriers to continue using a paper copy of the MEC for 60 days, during a limited transition period to NRII.”

Despite four years’ notice, 12 states remain unable to fully implement electronic MEC submissions, including Alaska, California, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Vermont, and Wyoming. Timelines vary: Wyoming plans to launch its system later this summer, Iowa by Oct. 15, and Kentucky not until next June. Some states, like California and New Jersey, have yet to provide any compliance schedule.

For the District of Columbia and the 38 states already in compliance, FMCSA still recommends issuing paper MECs alongside electronic submissions to ensure drivers remain covered.

For truckers, this extension is a critical stopgap that reduces stress and allows more time to adapt to digital systems while maintaining compliance and safety on the road.

Source: Transport Topics

The post FMCSA Extends Paper Medical Certification Waiver for Truck Drivers appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has announced the availability of nearly $90 million in grants for states and organizations running commercial driver’s license (CDL) programs. These grants aim to enhance compliance with federal safety regulations and ensure the integrity of the National CDL Program, which works to maintain a safe and qualified driver workforce on the road.

This program, which awarded $55.1 million in CDL Program Implementation (CDLPI) grants last year despite $84 million being available, has seen an increase in funding to $89.4 million for 2025. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city governments; public and private educational institutions; non-profits; small businesses; and other entities. Historically, the majority of these funds have gone to state Departments of Transportation and motor vehicle departments.

Safeguarding the Roads with the National CDL Program

FMCSA’s National CDL Program is built on the principle of “One Driver. One License. One Record.” This approach is crucial for maintaining accurate driver histories and preventing unsafe drivers from exploiting system loopholes. The program’s focus aligns with FMCSA’s overarching goal of improving highway safety across all states by ensuring only skilled and qualified individuals hold CDLs.

Key Program Changes for 2025

Significant changes have been made to the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for 2025 grants. The FMCSA has removed provisions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and climate change considerations that were part of the evaluation criteria during the previous administration.

Under the prior guidelines, applicants were encouraged to integrate considerations like energy efficiency, environmental impact, and opportunities for underserved communities into their proposals. These criteria included evaluations of projects promoting energy efficiency, environmental protections, and equity-focused hiring or outreach plans. For example, projects that included electric vehicle purchases or strategies targeting underserved communities would receive added attention.

Moving forward, FMCSA will base funding decisions on merit, using criteria such as technical merit, budget cost analysis, program-specific metrics, past performance, and other review-based criteria. The DEI and climate change provisions, previously grouped under “Other Review Information,” will no longer be part of funding evaluations.

Applying for 2025 Grants

Organizations aiming to access these funds must demonstrate the merit of their projects in alignment with FMCSA’s updated evaluation categories. By reinforcing technical and program-specific excellence, the FMCSA is focusing exclusively on operational improvements and measurable outcomes.

This adjustment reflects the evolving priorities of the FMCSA as it works to streamline the grant application process and ensure that funding directly addresses safety and operational integrity within the trucking industry.

For more information and detailed guidelines, organizations are encouraged to review FMCSA’s full list of Merit Evaluation Criteria and NOFO updates for 2025.

These grants offer a vital opportunity for states and organizations to strengthen their CDL programs while contributing to the safety and efficiency of the nation’s roadways.

Source: Commercial Carrier Journal

The post $90 Million Available for CDL Training in 2025 appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Here’s what you need to know to stay ahead of these upcoming changes and how they might impact your operations.

What’s Changing in the Safety Measurement System?

After years of evaluation, FMCSA is set to overhaul several key aspects of the SMS. Starting from 2023, the agency sought input from various stakeholders, including carriers, drivers, and law enforcement, to revamp its methodology. Now, these changes are on the horizon, and while the specifics won’t be implemented immediately, preparation is essential.

Goodbye to BASICs, Hello to Compliance Categories

The first notable change involves retiring the current seven Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs). Instead, they’ll be replaced by six streamlined “Compliance Categories.” One significant adjustment involves folding Controlled Substances and Alcohol violations into the Unsafe Driving category, alongside all Out-of-Service (OOS) violations.

Vehicle Maintenance Gets a Driver-Specific Update

The Vehicle Maintenance category will also see specific changes. Violations that drivers should catch during pre-trip inspections will now be labeled as “Vehicle Maintenance: Driver Observed.” This list currently includes 858 potential inspection items, although the number may change before implementation. Download the list here.

FMCSA Compliance Division representative Wesley Russell explained, “Dividing those (violations) out does a better job increasing our understanding of what violations are occurring, and gives us a head start already on determining where to go look to determine if maybe there’s smaller things on quick checks that are not being found, or maybe it’s something bigger in the overall maintenance program.”

For drivers, the classification of a maintenance violation as “Driver Observed” can have direct implications. Such violations are likely to appear in the Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP), making it more challenging for drivers who neglect pre-trip inspections to secure employment.

Changes to Violation Severity Points

Another significant adjustment involves the scoring system for violations. Under the current system, violations are weighted on a scale of 1–10. The new process simplifies this to just two levels:

• Out-of-Service (OOS) violations and driver disqualification incidents will receive a “2.”

• All other violations will receive a “1.”

Additionally, similar violations will be grouped into approximately 100 categories. For example, hours-of-service violations, such as 14-hour, 11-hour, rest break, and 70-hour rule violations, will fall under the same category. This means that only one point will be applied per inspection, even if multiple related violations are identified.

According to Russell, this change helps identify problem areas without penalizing carriers for multiple similar violations during one inspection.

When Will These Changes Take Effect?

FMCSA has not set a definitive date for the new system to go live. Several milestones, such as updating the CSA website and finalizing the methodology, still need to be addressed. For now, carriers and drivers will continue to use the existing system, and all current data in SMS will be transitioned to the new format once the changes are implemented.

Stakeholders can continue to monitor updates, including a prioritization preview, on the FMCSA’s official site here.

Staying Prepared for What’s Ahead

While initial plans included webinars in February and March 2025, these were canceled following January’s session. However, stakeholders can still access valuable resources and submit questions about the changes.

Source: The Trucker

Image Source: fleetequipmentmag

The post Prepare Now for Major FMCSA Safety Measurement System Updates appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The following devices have been added to the Revoked Devices List:

• BLUE STAR ELD
• ROAD STAR SOLUTIONS
• United ELD
• Speed ELD
• Two TrackEnsure ELD models

According to FMCSA, these devices have been removed due to their failure to meet the minimum standards outlined in 49 CFR part 395, subpart B, appendix A. The revocation officially takes effect immediately.

Next Steps for Motor Carriers

FMCSA has confirmed it will issue an industry-wide email notifying motor carriers of the steps required for compliance. If you are currently using one of the affected ELDs, you’ll need to do the following:

1. Stop using the revoked ELDs immediately. Switch to paper logs or logging software to track your hours of service data temporarily.

1. Replace the devices. Ensure you install compliant ELDs listed on FMCSA’s Registered Devices list by March 9, 2025.

The FMCSA has provided motor carriers with a 60-day grace period to remove and replace the revoked devices.

Can the Revoked ELDs Be Reinstated?

If the affected ELD providers address and correct the reported deficiencies, their devices may be reinstated on FMCSA’s list of registered devices. If reinstated, the FMCSA will inform the industry of the update.

During this interim period, enforcement officers are encouraged to avoid citing drivers using the affected devices for violations such as 395.8(a)(1) (No record of duty status) or 395.22(a) (Failing to use a registered ELD). Instead, they may review driver records through paper logs, logging software, or even the revoked device, used as a back-up display method, to ensure hours of service data is available.

What Happens After March 9, 2025?

Beginning March 9, motor carriers continuing to use any of the listed revoked devices will face non-compliance penalties. Safety officials encountering drivers with these devices on or after this date will:

• Cite violations under 395.8(a)(1).

• Place drivers out-of-service (OOS) per the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance Out-of-Service Criteria.

It is strongly recommended that motor carriers take proactive action now to avoid compliance issues, especially if the deficiencies for these ELDs are not resolved by their providers in time.

Stay Updated

To access more information about ELD requirements, approved devices, and FMCSA’s ongoing updates, visit the FMCSA ELD website.

Source: Truckers News

The post FMCSA Just Removed 6 ELDs From Its Approved List—Here’s What You Need to Know! appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

With these latest updates, the total number of ELD removals this past week has risen to six.

What Motor Carriers Need to Do Now

FMCSA is actively notifying motor carriers using these revoked ELDs. If your company uses Mountain ELD or XELD, the following steps must be taken to stay compliant:

1.Stop Using the Revoked ELDs

Discontinue the use of both Mountain ELD and XELD immediately and switch to either paper logs or a logging software solution to continue recording hours of service (HOS) data without disruption.

2. Replace Devices Before Feb. 16, 2025

Choose a compliant ELD from the FMCSA’s Registered Devices list and ensure the replacement process is completed within the given 60-day timeline.

Motor carriers that fail to replace these devices by Feb. 16, 2025, will face penalties for noncompliance.

Potential for Device Reinstatement

The FMCSA has clarified that the providers of Mountain ELD and XELD can address the deficiencies identified during the review. If the issues are resolved, these devices may be reinstated on the registered devices list. Any such updates will be announced by FMCSA to keep the industry informed.

Interim Enforcement Guidance for Safety Officials

Until Feb. 16, 2025, FMCSA encourages compliance officers to avoid citing drivers using Mountain ELD or XELD under the following HOS violations during the transitional period:

• 395.8(a)(1): “No record of duty status”

• 395.22(a): “Failing to use a registered ELD”

Instead, officials are asked to accept:

• Paper logs,

• Logging software, or

• The revoked ELDs themselves as an interim method for verifying HOS data.

However, as of Feb. 16, enforcement will tighten. Motor carriers found using the revoked ELDs beyond this date will be considered as operating without an ELD. At that point, drivers could face penalties under 395.8(a)(1) and be placed out-of-service (OOS) in line with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) Criteria.

FMCSA Urges Proactive Compliance

FMCSA is urging motor carriers not to delay action. Addressing this issue promptly will help companies avoid compliance issues if the current deficiencies are not resolved by the affected ELD providers.

For further guidance and updates regarding ELD compliance, visit the official FMCSA ELD website.

Source: Truckers News

The post Two More ELDs Revoked from FMCSA’s Registered Devices List appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The following devices, effective as of December 11, are no longer certified as compliant ELDs by the FMCSA:

• Columbus ELD, model C-US

• MasterELD, model MELD02

• MasterELD, model MELD03

• MasterELD, model MELD04

The FMCSA has not disclosed the specific reasons for the decertification. However, the agency stated that the manufacturers of these devices failed to meet the minimum technical standards detailed in 49 CFR part 395, subpart B, appendix A, which outlines the functional requirements for ELDs. Updates to the story will include any further details provided by the manufacturers.

Motor Carriers Required to Act

The FMCSA is set to send out an industry-wide notification to inform affected motor carriers. Those currently utilizing any of these revoked ELDs must stop using the devices immediately. To remain compliant, carriers must switch to either paper logs or acceptable logging software to record hours-of-service (HOS) data. Additionally, carriers are required to replace these decertified ELDs with compliant devices from the FMCSA’s Registered ELDs List by February 9, 2025 (60 days from the effective date).

If these ELD manufacturers resolve the deficiencies identified by the FMCSA, the decertified devices will be reinstated. Should reinstatement occur, the FMCSA will provide an update to inform the industry.

Guidance for Law Enforcement

During the 60-day transitional period, FMCSA has advised safety officials not to cite drivers under 395.8(a)(1) (“No record of duty status”) or 395.22(a) (“Failing to use a registered ELD”) if they are found using one of these revoked ELDs. Instead, inspectors are instructed to request the driver’s paper logs or logging software as verification of hours-of-service compliance. Alternatively, enforcement personnel may review HOS data displayed on the ELD as a backup.

Source: Overdrive

The post FMCSA Decertifies Four ELDs; Carriers Must Transition to Paper Logs or Logging Software appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The notice details the finalized updates, includes responses to stakeholder feedback, and lays out the steps for implementation.

Current Program Overview

The FMCSA’s Crash Preventability Determination Program reviews 16 specific collision types, with the goal of identifying crashes that are “not preventable” by drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). Once classified, these determinations are reflected within the FMCSA’s Safety Measurement System (SMS), helping to distinguish between preventable and not-preventable incidents.

Between May 1, 2020, and Dec. 30, 2022, nearly 39,000 data review requests were submitted to the FMCSA under this program. Among those requests, 72.5% were deemed eligible for review under one of the 16 crash categories. Of the eligible submissions, 96% resulted in a determination that the collisions were not preventable.

Expanding the Scope of Eligible Crashes

To broaden its impact, the FMCSA intends to add four new crash types to the program, doubling its capacity to evaluate collisions annually. The newly added crash types include the following scenarios:

1. Side Impact in Same Direction

When a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is struck on its side by a motorist traveling in the same direction.

1. Entry From Private Driveways or Parking Lots

When a CMV is hit because another motorist was entering the roadway from a private driveway or parking lot.

1. Loss of Vehicle Control by Another Motorist

When another motorist loses control of their vehicle and subsequently collides with a CMV. These incidents were often found in police reports but did not qualify under the original crash types.

1. Video-Confirmed Crashes

Any crash involving a commercial motor vehicle, where video footage clearly shows the chain of events that occurred.

This expansion underscores the FMCSA’s commitment to creating a more comprehensive and equitable framework for evaluating preventable and not-preventable collisions.

Submission Process & Evidence Requirements

The process to determine crash preventability remains driven by submissions from motor carriers, drivers, or their authorized representatives. It falls on the submitter to provide “compelling evidence” to substantiate that the crash was not preventable.

Supporting materials such as videos, photos, or court documentation are highly encouraged to strengthen the case for review. These items help the FMCSA determine whether the crash qualifies as one of the 20 eligible crash types and whether it was not preventable.

For drivers and carriers interested in leveraging the updated program, a complete list of eligible crash types and submission instructions are accessible through the FMCSA’s official portal.

Source: Land Line & FMCSA

The post FMCSA Finalizes Updates to Crash Preventability Determination Program appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Starting November 18, state driver licensing authorities will be mandated to revoke the CDL or CLP privileges of individuals listed as “prohibited” in the FMCSA’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. To regain these privileges, affected drivers must meet “return-to-duty requirements.”

The FMCSA’s updates to the Clearinghouse rules were implemented in two phases. The first phase, effective from 2020, obligated employers to check the Clearinghouse for drug and alcohol violations among current and potential employees before allowing them behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle. Employers must also perform annual checks on current employees.

The second phase enforces state driver licensing agencies to:

• Access the Clearinghouse before issuing, renewing, upgrading, or transferring CDLs and before issuing or upgrading CLPs.

• Examine a driver’s records upon receiving notification from FMCSA about a status change in the Clearinghouse.

FMCSA asserts that this rule “will improve the enforcement of the current driving prohibition by requiring that states refrain from issuing, renewing, transferring or upgrading the CLP or CDL of affected drivers.”

According to the September 2024 Clearinghouse Report, 178,839 CLP and CDL holders currently have a prohibited status, with 136,224 yet to initiate the return-to-duty process.

After the November 18 compliance deadline, drivers maintaining a prohibited status may face fines or other obligations imposed by the state of their CDL issuance before resuming their commercial driving rights.

It’s crucial to understand that the compliance date signifies when states must adhere to the new rule, not necessarily when they will start downgrading licenses. States with legislative permission can voluntarily query the Clearinghouse and downgrade the licenses of prohibited drivers before the official compliance date.

The CMCI, part of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association’s drug and alcohol consortium, notes that states such as Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina, and Texas have already initiated this process.

Source: Land Line

The post New Regulations Could Lead to CDL and CLP Revocations for Thousands of Drivers appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.