FMCSA removes 133 ELDs from registered devices list

The action covered 121 devices revoked by FMCSA and 12 voluntarily self-revoked devices that the agency said failed to meet its readiness standards. (abalcazar/Getty Images)

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration removed 133 electronic logging devices from its registered devices list Nov. 12 after finding widespread noncompliance and evidence that some devices were used to falsify drivers’ hours-of-service records.

The action covered 121 devices revoked by FMCSA and 12 voluntarily self-revoked devices that the agency said failed to meet its readiness standards. Motor carriers have up to 60 days to replace the affected ELDs with compliant devices, according to the release.

The Department of Transportation said manipulated or noncompliant ELDs can enable carriers to erase driving time, create false rest periods and conceal hours-of-service violations. That can allow fatigued drivers to remain behind the wheel beyond federal limits while giving noncompliant carriers a competitive advantage, the department said.

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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the enforcement action required extensive investigations.

“This latest crackdown — which required hundreds of man-hours and extensive forensic investigations — will prevent criminals from cooking the books, sabotaging trucker wages, and endangering you and your family when you drive,” Duffy said.

🚨TRUCKING FRAUD AND ABUSE EXPOSED🚨 In a HISTORIC crackdown targeting illegal Electronic Logging Devices, @FMCSA is yanking 120+ ILLEGAL ELDs from the registry Under @SecDuffy and @FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs, we are dismantling this scam and leveling the playing field for America’s truckers WATCH the shady tactics unfold in JUST SECONDS. Now @FMCSA is investigating the suspected fraudster... MORE TO COME 👀

— U.S. Department of Transportation (@USDOT) November 12, 2026

Federal officials provided three anonymized examples but withheld the companies’ identities to avoid compromising ongoing investigations.

In one case, an ELD provider allegedly allowed carriers to call a support line and have driving time manually erased, creating false rest periods while drivers remained on the road. A second provider allegedly uploaded false logs during a roadside inspection to conceal that a driver had exceeded legal driving limits.

Logs from a third provider showed drivers traveling at mathematically impossible speeds of up to 130 mph to compress recorded driving time.

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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. (Francis Chung/Bloomberg)

FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs said carriers must be able to trust that devices on the agency’s registry comply with federal standards, remain secure and receive active support.

“We are removing noncompliant and fraudulent devices to close loopholes that can be exploited to evade oversight, avoid revocation, bypass vetting requirements or undermine accurate hours-of-service records,” Barrs said. “This action protects law-abiding carriers and drivers and makes clear that FMCSA will not tolerate devices that compromise the integrity of the ELD system.”

American Trucking Associations endorsed the agency’s action in a Nov. 13 statement.

“ATA strongly supports FMCSA’s decisive action to crack down on fraudulent electronic logging devices that undermine highway safety and put law-abiding motor carriers at a competitive disadvantage,” said Nathan Mehrens, ATA’s senior vice president of regulatory affairs and workforce policy.

“We commend Secretary Duffy, Administrator Barrs and their teams for taking this important step to restore integrity to the ELD system and hold bad actors accountable,” Mehrens said. “Fraudsters have no place in an industry where safety is paramount, and carriers must be able to trust that the devices they rely on meet federal standards.”’

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Mehrens said ATA plans to release a set of recommendations the week of Nov. 16 aimed at strengthening ELD certification.

“Next week, ATA looks forward to unveiling a comprehensive road map to strengthen the ELD certification process by introducing third-party certification and closing the front door on fraudsters seeking to exploit weaknesses in the system,” he said. “Today’s action is an important step forward, and preventing noncompliant devices from entering the marketplace in the first place is essential to protecting motorists and ensuring a level playing field for responsible motor carriers.”

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American Trucking Associations endorsed FMCSA's action in a Nov. 13 statement. (Tomas Nevesely/Getty Images)

ATA’s Safety Policy Committee voted in October 2025 to support stronger safeguards for ELD integrity, including third-party certification. The committee formed a working group to develop measures addressing known forms of fraud while creating safeguards that could adapt to emerging threats.

ELD providers register their devices with FMCSA and self-certify that they comply with federal requirements.

The agency said carriers continuing to use revoked devices after the replacement period will be considered to be operating without an ELD. The release instructs safety officials who encounter a driver using one of the devices on or after Nov. 24 to issue a citation and place the driver out of service under Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance criteria.

FMCSA may return a device to the registered devices list if its provider corrects all deficiencies identified by the agency.

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