FMCSA Revokes Eight ELDs in Two-Week Compliance Crackdown

Federal regulators escalated enforcement of electronic logging device standards in late January, pulling eight devices from the approved list within a two-week span after companies failed to meet minimum technical requirements — though two have since been reinstated following swift corrective action.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration removed the devices for noncompliance with Title 49 CFR regulations governing ELD functionality. FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs stated that if devices aren't meeting federal requirements, they're "taken out of service -- plain and simple," Heavy Duty Trucking emphasizing the agency's commitment to safety-first decision-making.

The January 13 revocations affected PremierRide Logs' 1Ride device, DSG Elogs, and two State-Elog devices. By January 23, both PremierRide and DSG had corrected deficiencies and been restored to the registered list — a relatively rare outcome that underscores the urgency carriers face when their compliance technology fails certification.

Motor carriers using revoked devices received 60-day windows to switch to compliant systems or revert to paper logs. Those continuing to operate with blacklisted ELDs after deadlines face citations for "no record of duty status" and mandatory out-of-service orders under Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance criteria.

The enforcement wave follows December removals of four additional devices, bringing the recent total to twelve revocations in six weeks. Forward Thinking Systems CEO David Isler expressed surprise at his company's inclusion, claiming all identified issues had been addressed before the revocation notice arrived.

The crackdown accompanies a broader FMCSA overhaul of ELD vetting procedures announced last month. The previous self-certification system allowed noncompliant devices to slip through or be re-registered after revocation. The new process blocks problematic devices before they reach the public registry — closing a loophole that compromised hours-of-service enforcement across the industry.

For carriers, the rapid-fire revocations serve as a stark reminder that regulatory compliance extends beyond driver behavior to the technology systems underpinning federal safety mandates. With enhanced scrutiny now the norm, waiting to see if devices return to the approved list carries operational and legal risks few fleets can afford.