If you plan to run during that window, preparation matters. Inspectors will be working at weigh stations and temporary roadside sites, and most stops will involve the North American Standard Level I Inspection.

What Happens During a Level I Inspection

The Level I inspection is a 37-step review that covers both the driver and the vehicle.

On the driver side, inspectors check license validity, medical examiner’s certificate, record of duty status, Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse status in the United States, seat belt use, and any required skill performance evaluation certificate. They also look for signs of alcohol or drug impairment. If a driver out of service violation is found, the driver is placed out of service and cannot operate the vehicle until the issue is resolved.

On the vehicle side, inspectors examine brake systems, cargo securement, coupling devices, driveline and driveshaft components, driver’s seat, fuel and exhaust systems, frame, lighting devices, steering mechanisms, suspension, tires, wheels, rims, hubs, and windshield wipers. Passenger-carrying vehicles also receive inspection of emergency exits and electrical systems in engine and battery compartments. If an out-of-service violation is identified, the vehicle cannot move until repairs are made.

Vehicles that pass a Level I or Level V inspection without critical violations may receive a CVSA decal valid for up to three months. That decal signals recent inspection compliance to enforcement personnel.

2026 Driver Focus: ELD Tampering

This year’s driver emphasis is on electronic logging device tampering, falsification, or manipulation.

During inspections, officers will review the record of duty status and look for false or manipulated entries, with specific attention to ELD tampering. Inaccurate entries sometimes stem from a misunderstanding of regulations and exemptions. In other cases, records are altered to conceal hours of service violations or driving time without proper edit tracking as required under federal rules.

Last year, falsification of the record of duty status was the second most cited driver violation at 58,382 violations. Five of the top 10 driver violations were related to hours of service or ELD compliance. That makes log accuracy a priority heading into this year’s Roadcheck.

2026 Vehicle Focus: Cargo Securement

Cargo securement is the vehicle emphasis area for 2026.

Improper or inadequate securement can affect vehicle handling and create hazards if freight shifts or falls. In 2025, 18,108 violations were issued because cargo was not secured to prevent leaking, spilling, blowing, or falling. Another 16,054 violations involved vehicle components or dunnage not being properly secured.

Drivers hauling flatbed, specialized freight, or any load with blocking and bracing should review securement practices before May.

How to Prepare Now

Review your log procedures and make sure you understand editing requirements. Confirm your ELD is functioning properly and that you can produce records quickly at the roadside. Double-check medical cards and CDL status.

On the equipment side, inspect brakes, tires, lights, and cargo securement hardware before every trip. Address minor issues before they become out-of-service problems during a blitz.

International Roadcheck lasts only three days, but the data collected affects safety scores and enforcement trends for months. Being ready before May 12 keeps you moving while others sit.

Source: Truckers News

The post What Truck Drivers Need to Know About International Roadcheck 2026 appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

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

The post FMCSA Removes More ELDs as Enforcement Tightens on Non-Compliant Devices appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Which ELDs Were Affected?

The two devices taken off the approved list are:

• Walker ELD – Model WAL-R, ELD Identifier WLK790
• SR ELD – Model SR-E, ELD Identifier SRE288

Both were removed for failing to meet the technical requirements FMCSA sets for electronic logging devices.

What Drivers Are Required to Do

If you’ve been using either system, you’ll need to stop immediately and begin logging hours using paper logs or compliant logging software while you transition to a new device. FMCSA is giving drivers and carriers until September 29, 2025, to switch over to a registered ELD.

If you continue using one of the revoked devices past that date, you’ll be considered out of compliance. That includes potential citations for not maintaining a valid record of duty status and the risk of being placed out of service under CVSA guidelines.

What If the Device Companies Fix the Issues?

According to FMCSA:

“If the ELD providers correct all identified deficiencies for their device, FMCSA will place the ELD back on the Registered Devices list and inform the industry and the field of the update,” FMCSA said. “However, FMCSA strongly encourages motor carriers to take the actions listed above now to avoid compliance issues in the event that these deficiencies are not addressed by the ELD provider.”

In other words, don’t wait for a fix that might not happen. If you’re running with one of these devices, start the switch now to avoid downtime or violations later.

Why It Matters

This move follows the earlier removal of multiple ELDs earlier this year. With FMCSA continuing to crack down on non-compliant technology, drivers and fleet managers must stay updated. Checking your ELD’s registration status regularly can help avoid major disruptions and keep you compliant on the road.

Source: The Trucker

The post Walker and SR ELDs Removed from FMCSA’s Approved List—Here’s What Drivers Need to Do appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

“Get rid of the FMCSA speed limiter mandate proposal,” wrote Edward Vazemiller in a public comment. “It is unsafe for semitrucks. OOIDA even had a video about it. Speed limiters on semitrucks will cause more road rage, shootings, traffic, bumper-to-bumper traffic, rear-end collisions, and more accidents overall. Plus, it will delay the supply chain of America.”

Public Opposition to Speed Limiters

On April 3, as part of a broader initiative to curb excessive regulation, the DOT launched a 30-day public comment period. Within two weeks, they had already received close to 500 comments. Many truckers voiced concerns about the rigid hours-of-service regulations, the electronic logging device (ELD) mandate, and, most prominently, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) speed limiter proposal.

“Proposed speed limiters are a bad idea,” commented Jeffrey Hartman, a veteran commercial driver with 35 years of experience and a spotless record of 4 million crash-free miles. “I have avoided many accidents by being able to accelerate my way out of trouble. The companies employing speed regulators now are one of the major causes of accidents.”

The FMCSA Speed Limiter Proposal

After issuing a notice in 2022, the FMCSA considered mandating speed-limiting devices for commercial vehicles weighing over 26,001 pounds. While no specific maximum speed was suggested, some safety advocates pushed for a 60 mph cap.

The response was overwhelmingly negative, with the proposal drawing over 15,000 public comments. Drivers and organizations like the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) have highlighted a significant concern with the speed differentials this would create between trucks and passenger vehicles, potentially leading to more dangerous road conditions.

Many truckers see the speed limiter proposal as a prime candidate for repeal. A bill in Congress that aims to prevent FMCSA from implementing speed limiter mandates in the future adds weight to their calls.

“Another rule that has been proposed but not enacted is the speed limiter proposal,” wrote Dwayne Pope, a commenter. “If enacted, this will destroy many lives because car drivers have become so impatient and dangerous nowadays. They cut slower-moving vehicles off and perform very dangerous maneuvers to get around trucks. Accidents will increase, and then the FMCSA and DOT will blame trucks and implement more useless regulations.”

How to Voice Your Opinion

The DOT invites public comments regarding regulations that could be modified or repealed. To provide feedback, visit Regulations.gov and enter Docket No. DOT-OST-2025-0026-0001. The comment period is open until May 5, giving stakeholders ample time to express their concerns.

For additional input beyond the comment window, you can email the DOT at Transportation.RegulatoryInfo@dot.gov. Include “Regulatory Reform RFI” in the email’s subject line to ensure your suggestions are directed appropriately.

Source: Land Line

The post Truckers Push Back Against DOT’s Speed Limiter Proposal appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Weight Limits and Axle Restrictions

While federal law sets a maximum limit of 80,000 pounds on interstates, state regulations on axle spacing and local roads often differ:

California: California enforces strict axle weight restrictions, limiting tandem axles to 34,000 pounds on interstate highways. Drivers in violation risk fines and even vehicle impoundment for severe overloading.

Michigan: In contrast, Michigan allows trucks up to 164,000 pounds on certain roads if they meet specific axle requirements, making it feasible to haul heavier loads legally, provided the truck’s axle configuration is correct.

Tip: Use trucking apps like Trucker Path to view weight restrictions by route, helping avoid fines and optimize loading.

Speed Limits for Commercial Trucks

Speed limits for trucks vary by state and highway type, which can affect travel times and safety considerations:

Texas: Texas has some of the highest truck speed limits, allowing up to 85 mph on certain highways. However, other areas maintain a more typical 75 mph cap.

California: California sets a much lower limit of 55 mph for trucks on all roadways, creating a significant adjustment for out-of-state drivers.

Installing GPS systems that alert drivers to speed changes can help avoid penalties and improve safety.

Emission Standards and Environmental Requirements

States like California and New York have more stringent emissions standards than those set by the federal government, aiming to reduce pollution from commercial trucks:

California: The California Air Resources Board (CARB) requires emissions-compliant engines, restricting older trucks unless retrofitted. CARB has mandated diesel emissions standards specific to truck engines and idle-reduction technologies to limit pollution.

New York: New York enforces strict anti-idling laws, generally limiting truck idling to five minutes. Violations can result in steep penalties, especially in urban zones.

By checking emissions requirements before travel, especially in CARB-regulated states, drivers can avoid fines and ensure compliance.

Hours of Service (HOS) Rules and Rest Breaks

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enforces Hours of Service rules nationwide, but some states impose additional requirements:

California: California requires drivers to take a 30-minute break after five hours of work, more stringent than the FMCSA’s 8-hour rule.

Oregon: Oregon has unique HOS rules for intrastate hauls, especially for certain non-CDL drivers. Reviewing state-specific HOS requirements is vital for drivers frequently crossing state lines.

Ensuring compliance with these regulations is essential to avoid penalties and ensure safe, lawful operation.

Toll Roads and Fees

Truckers often encounter tolls on interstates, which can vary significantly by state and road type:

Florida: Florida’s Turnpike is toll-heavy for commercial trucks, with payment options available through SunPass for cost savings and convenience.

New York: New York’s Thruway charges high tolls for larger trucks, with fees based on vehicle weight and distance. Knowing toll costs in advance can help in budgeting for these expenses.

Using toll calculators on state DOT sites can help drivers budget and optimize routes for tolls.

Navigating trucking regulations across states requires vigilance and preparation, as each state’s rules can impact safety, costs, and legal compliance. Truck drivers can benefit from tools like route planners, GPS speed alerts, and toll calculators, ensuring they meet each state’s unique requirements without interruption.

The post Comparing Trucking Regulations Across States: What Drivers Need to Know for Interstate Hauls appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.