The FMCSA ELD crackdown is getting bigger. On October 28, FMCSA’s chief safety officer said the agency has removed more than 100 noncompliant ELDs. It also kept nearly 600 more off its registered list. A revoked device can put you out of service. Here is what happened and how to check your setup today.
Key takeaways
- FMCSA says it has removed 100+ noncompliant ELDs from its registered device list and blocked nearly 600 others.
- More than 10,000 providers have been removed from the Training Provider Registry since December 2025.
- Carriers using a revoked ELD usually get 60 days to switch. After that, drivers can be placed out of service.
What happened
On Wednesday, October 28, 2026, FMCSA Chief Safety Officer Steve Dowling gave a keynote at the WEX OTR Summit in Jacksonville, Florida. FreightWaves reported his main numbers. FMCSA has removed more than 100 noncompliant electronic logging devices from its registered list. It has also stopped nearly 600 others from being approved.
Dowling said the agency is most worried about logging systems that can be changed to hide hours-of-service violations. “You can’t go in and edit logs by making a phone call,” he said. He added that FMCSA investigates whenever it hears of that. He also urged carriers to confirm that their ELD provider is still on the registered device list.
Driver training is under the same spotlight. Dowling said more than 10,000 providers have been removed from the Training Provider Registry since December 2025. That is separate from an August emergency action against about 110 schools. Those schools were linked to more than 5,000 drivers cited for English-language proficiency violations.
A day earlier, on October 27, FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs spoke at a trucking conference in Dallas. The Trucker reported that FMCSA is working on a rule to tighten oversight of ELD providers. Barrs mentioned the possibility of third-party testing or a testing lab. He gave no timeline. He also said a separate rule would add minimum behind-the-wheel training hours for new drivers.
Finally, Dowling said FMCSA is looking at hours-of-service and Safety Measurement System changes for 2027. That includes research on sleeper-berth flexibility and the 14-hour duty window. No proposal has been published yet.
What it means for owner-operators and small fleets
Most carriers use devices that are still registered. Even so, if FMCSA revokes your device, the clock starts right away. Based on FMCSA’s ELD notices, carriers normally get up to 60 days to move to a registered ELD. During that time you must use paper logs or logging software.
Miss that deadline and it gets serious. FMCSA’s notices say drivers still using a revoked device after the grace period will be cited for “no record of duty status” and placed out of service. An out-of-service order means a stopped truck, a missed delivery and a hit to your safety record. For a one-truck operation, that can cost a week of income.
Log editing is also a red flag now. If anyone offers to “fix” your logs after the fact, walk away. FMCSA says it is working with federal partners on these cases. This is part of a wider push that also covers English proficiency and non-domiciled CDL rules and carrier fraud.
FMCSA ELD crackdown: 6 steps to protect your truck
- Check your ELD today. Look up your device name and ELD identifier on FMCSA’s revoked ELD list. Then confirm it still appears on the registered list.
- Sign up for FMCSA ELD emails. FMCSA sends an industry email each time it revokes devices. That way you hear about it the same day, not at a roadside inspection.
- Keep paper logs in the truck. If your device is revoked or fails, you will need a backup way to record hours of service.
- Never accept log edits by phone. Any edit should be made and approved the proper way in the ELD. If a provider offers shortcuts, that is a reason to switch.
- Vet new drivers’ training. If you hire, confirm their entry-level training came from a provider that is still on the Training Provider Registry.
- Keep your compliance file clean. Store ELD records, inspection reports and permits in one place. Good paperwork and compliance support makes audits and broker setups much easier.
How Runnex helps
Runnex Logistics has supported owner-operators and small fleets since 2014. Our truck dispatch services include dispatching, freight coordination, invoice management, paperwork and compliance support, and 24/7 driver support. We plan loads around your legal hours, so you are not pushed to run past your clock. In addition, we help keep your carrier packet and documents current. We dispatch Dry Van, Reefer, Flatbed, Step Deck, HotShot and Power Only.
For more on protecting your business, read our guide to freight fraud and double brokering.
Frequently asked questions
How many ELDs has FMCSA removed?
FMCSA Chief Safety Officer Steve Dowling said on October 28, 2026 that the agency has removed more than 100 noncompliant ELDs from its registered list. It has also blocked nearly 600 others from being approved.
What should I do if my ELD is revoked?
Based on FMCSA notices, stop using the revoked device and switch to paper logs or logging software. Then install an ELD from the registered list before the deadline in the notice, which is usually 60 days.
Can I be placed out of service for using a revoked ELD?
Yes. After the grace period ends, FMCSA says drivers using a revoked device can be cited for no record of duty status and placed out of service.
Are hours-of-service rules changing in 2027?
FMCSA says it is studying changes, including sleeper-berth flexibility and the 14-hour window. No final rule has been announced, so the current rules still apply.
Want help keeping your truck legal and loaded? Contact Runnex Logistics or call (574) 240 6239 for a free dispatch consultation.
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