December 1, 2025
The FMCSA just announced big changes to how it approves ELDs.
For years, the approval process for ELDs wasn’t strong enough. Some devices that didn’t actually meet the requirements made it onto FMCSA’s official list. Even worse, companies whose devices were removed could sometimes reapply using new names. This caused a lot of problems for drivers and carriers who had to replace faulty or non-compliant equipment.
Now, FMCSA is rolling out a tougher, more detailed vetting system. The goal is simple: keep unsafe or unreliable ELDs off the market before they ever reach trucking companies.
This update is part of a larger Department of Transportation effort to improve road safety while also reducing costs for truckers and fleets. Most commercial drivers must use ELDs, unless they qualify for a short list of exceptions, such as certain short-haul operations or older trucks.
Under the new system, FMCSA will do a much deeper review of every new ELD application. This helps prevent unsafe or rebranded devices from slipping through. Carriers can feel more confident that the ELDs they buy are accurate, reliable, and fully compliant.
1. Initial Review - FMCSA will check the company’s contact information, technical documents, and device photos.
2. Fraud Detection - New applications will be checked against all active, inactive, revoked, and pending devices to catch rebranded or repeat offenders.
3. Four Certification Categories - Every ELD application will fall into one of these groups:
These changes aim to stop repeat revocations, save carriers money, and keep unsafe devices out of the industry from the start.
For the official list of approved ELDs and more details, visit FMCSA’s site: https://eld.fmcsa.dot.gov/List
