FMCSA Removes 11 Non-Compliant ELDs in 2025
Federal crackdown on faulty electronic logging devices highlights widespread compliance issues
Breaking Regulatory Action
The FMCSA removed 8 ELDs on May 12, 2025, and an additional 3 on December 8, 2025, requiring affected carriers to transition to compliant devices or face enforcement action.
Federal Crackdown on Non-Compliant ELDs
In a significant regulatory enforcement action, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) removed 11 electronic logging devices from its approved list in 2025 due to failures to meet federal technical specifications. The agency removed 8 ELDs on May 12, 2025, and another 3 on December 8, 2025, affecting thousands of commercial trucking operations across the United States.
Electronic logging devices are mandated by federal law to automatically record driving time and Hours of Service compliance for commercial truck drivers. Non-compliant ELDs can fail to accurately record driver activity, potentially allowing Hours of Service violations that contribute to fatigued driving and catastrophic truck accidents.
Carriers Required to Switch to Compliant Devices
The FMCSA gave carriers using the removed ELDs until July 11, 2025, to transition to compliant devices. Carriers that continued operating with the delisted ELDs after this deadline face significant penalties, including:
- Drivers placed out-of-service during roadside inspections
- Civil penalties up to $16,864 per violation for carriers
- Increased CSA Safety Measurement System scores affecting insurance and contracts
- Potential loss of operating authority for repeat violations
The removed ELDs failed to meet technical specifications including data transfer protocols, tamper resistance requirements, and accurate recording of driving events. Some devices were found to allow manual manipulation of Hours of Service records.
FMCSA Announces ELD Vetting Process Overhaul
Following the widespread removals, the FMCSA announced a complete overhaul of its ELD vetting process to prevent non-compliant devices from reaching the registered list in the first place. The new process includes enhanced technical testing, third-party audits, and ongoing compliance monitoring of registered ELD providers.
The agency acknowledged that its previous registration process allowed devices that did not meet federal requirements to enter the market, potentially compromising safety across the trucking industry for months or years before detection.
Connection to Truck Accident Litigation
Non-compliant ELDs have significant implications for truck accident cases. When a trucking company uses a delisted or non-compliant ELD, it raises serious questions about the accuracy of Hours of Service records that are often critical evidence in crash investigations.
Truck accident attorneys investigating crashes involving carriers with non-compliant ELDs may find:
- Inaccurate or incomplete driving time records
- Evidence that drivers exceeded Hours of Service limits
- Patterns of regulatory non-compliance by the carrier
- Proof that the carrier prioritized cost savings over safety compliance
State-by-State Implications
The ELD removals affect carriers operating in all 50 states, but enforcement intensity and civil liability standards vary by jurisdiction. States with strict trucking safety enforcement, such as California, Texas, and New York, may pursue additional penalties against carriers operating with delisted ELDs.
Understanding Hours of Service Violations
Federal Hours of Service regulations limit commercial truck drivers to:
- 11 hours of driving within a 14-hour on-duty window
- Mandatory 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving
- 60/70-hour limits over 7/8 consecutive days
- 10 consecutive hours off-duty before starting a new shift
Non-compliant ELDs undermine these safety rules by failing to accurately track driver activity.
What This Means for Truck Accident Victims
If you were injured in a truck accident, determining whether the at-fault carrier was using a non-compliant ELD is an important part of your legal investigation. This evidence can establish negligence and regulatory violations that strengthen your compensation claim.
Experienced truck accident attorneys have access to federal databases and investigative tools to identify whether a carrier was using delisted ELD devices at the time of a crash. This information can be crucial leverage in settlement negotiations and trial.
Recent Related Developments
The ELD removals come amid broader federal concerns about trucking industry safety compliance. The FMCSA also recently removed nearly 3,000 CDL training providers for failing to meet entry-level driver training standards, and voided over 15,000 fraudulent medical examiner certificates.
Need Help After a Truck Accident?
If you were injured by a commercial truck, understanding the carrier's compliance history with ELD regulations and other federal safety requirements is essential to your case.
Our network of experienced truck accident attorneys can investigate whether the at-fault carrier was using non-compliant equipment or violating Hours of Service regulations.
Sources and Additional Information
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration - ELD Registered Devices List (Updated December 2025)
- FMCSA Notice of ELD Removals (May 12, 2025)
- FMCSA Notice of ELD Removals (December 8, 2025)
- 49 CFR Part 395 - Hours of Service Regulations
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