On October 17, 2025, the FMCSA announced that five electronic logging devices (ELDs) have been removed from the agency’s list of registered devices because they failed to meet minimum regulatory requirements. This removal is not merely a technical compliance issue for trucking companies — it has real implications for truck safety, liability, and for injured parties seeking a recovery. For those harmed in collisions with commercial trucks, understanding this regulatory development can strengthen your case and ensure you have a knowledgeable truck accident lawyer on your side.
In this blog, we’ll break down:
- What an ELD is and why it matters
- The specifics of the FMCSA removal action
- How this affects motor carriers, drivers and safety
- The implications for truck accidents, liability and injured parties
- Why you need a truck accident lawyer
- What you should do if you’ve been injured in a crash with a commercial truck
What is an Electronic Logging Device (ELD) — and why it matters
In the U.S., commercial truck drivers and carriers are subject to hours of service (HOS) regulations, which govern how many hours a driver may spend driving, on duty, off duty and in the sleeper berth. These rules are enforced by the FMCSA and are intended to prevent fatigue‑related crashes.
An ELD is an electronic logging device that automatically records certain driving data (engine on/off, vehicle movement, miles driven, etc.) to satisfy HOS record‑keeping requirements.
The benefit of an ELD — as opposed to paper logs — is that it helps ensure more accurate, auditable, standardized records and is designed to reduce the risk of falsified logs, which in turn helps reduce fatigue‑related risk. When an ELD malfunctions or is non‑compliant, the carrier and driver may be exposed to regulatory liability and safety risk.
What the FMCSA just did: Removal of five ELDs
On October 17, 2025, the FMCSA removed the following five ELDs from its Registered Devices list due to the providers’ failure to meet minimum requirements under Title 49 CFR Appendix A to Subpart B of Part 395:
- Provider: ART KILIM INC — ELD Name: PREMIUM ELD, Model Number: PMM, Identifier: PMM492
- Provider: Clean Aura Corp — ELD Name: TRUE LOGBOOK, Model Number: 2TRUL, Identifier: TRL584
- Provider: Xplore Tech Inc — ELD Name: Xplore ELD, Model Number: XPLELD, Identifier: XPLORE
- Provider: KAMI ELD — ELD Name: KAMI ELD, Model Number: KAME‑X456, Identifier: KAM683
- Provider: Evo ELD Inc. — ELD Name: EVO ELD 1, Model Number: EVO 1, Identifier: G711H2
Motor carriers using any of these ELDs were given 60 days (until December 16, 2025) to replace the revoked device with a compliant ELD. After that date, continued use of the revoked device will be treated as “operating without an ELD” and subject to enforcement (driver OOS/out‑of‑service) under the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) criteria.
If a carrier continues to use a revoked device after the cutoff, the driver becomes liable for § 395.8(a)(1) (“No record of duty status”) and § 395.22(a) (“Failing to use a registered ELD”). In the interim 60‑day period, safety officials are encouraged to accept paper logs or other logging software or the ELD display as a backup instead of issuing citations for those violations.
While this specific removal is fresh, the FMCSA has acted similarly before. For example:
- December 11 2024: FMCSA removed four ELDs for non‑compliance.
- May 12 2025: FMCSA removed eight ELDs from one provider.
Thus, this type of regulatory cleanup is not unprecedented — but it remains important.
How this affects trucking companies, drivers and safety
For motor carriers and drivers
- If a carrier is using a now‑revoked ELD, the carrier must immediately stop using it and revert to paper logs or logging software for the HOS record.
- The carrier must install a replacement compliant ELD from the Registered Devices list before December 16, 2025 (in this case) to avoid being treated as operating without an ELD.
- If safety officials encounter a driver in a truck using the revoked device on or after that date, the driver can be placed out‑of‑service and cited under § 395.8(a)(1).
- Even during the 60‑day window, reverting to paper logs or other compliant method is required; the carrier cannot simply continue business as usual expecting no enforcement.
- For carriers, using a non‑compliant device can lead to increased inspections, audit risk, elevated fines, OOS time, and potential liability if a crash occurs — because the driver’s duty‑status logs and HOS records may be called into question.
For safety and risk
- When an ELD is removed for non‑compliance, it raises questions about the accuracy or reliability of the device’s data while in use. If the device failed to meet minimum standards, then the records it produced may be subject to challenge or may reveal gaps in compliance.
- From a safety standpoint, fatigued driving remains a major contributor to truck crashes. Accurate HOS records are an important line of defense in showing the carrier and driver complied with fatigue‑management rules. If the record‑keeping system is compromised (via a revoked ELD), that defense may weaken.
Implications for truck accidents, liability and injured parties
For someone injured in a crash involving a commercial truck, this regulatory update can be significant for several reasons:
1. Duty‑status records and ELD data
One of the key aspects of a truck accident investigation is the driver’s hours of service: Did the driver exceed allowable hours? Did the carrier properly log on‑duty driving time, sleeper berth time, off‑duty time, etc.? The HOS records are often central to establishing negligence or regulatory violation.
If the carrier was using one of the revoked ELDs, there may be questions:
- Was the device compliant at the time of use?
- Were there gaps or malfunctions in the recording of driving time or duty status?
- Did the carrier properly switch to a compliant method or alternate logs when notified?
If the device was non‑compliant, the carrier’s records may be faulty or subject to challenge — offering an opportunity for injured parties and their truck accident lawyer to press for accountability.
2. Regulatory compliance as evidence of negligence
In truck‑crash litigation, regulatory non‑compliance (with FMCSA, state DOT, etc.) is often a strong indicator of negligence or at least fault. If the carrier did not use a compliant ELD, or failed to timely switch from a revoked device, that failure can bolster claims of negligence.
For example: If a driver had excessive hours and was driving on a device that was revoked, this suggests the carrier ignored a compliance duty. That adds weight to a liability argument.
3. Increased risk of out‑of‑service status and enforcement actions
If a truck driver is placed out of service due to use of a revoked ELD, that fact may be used in litigation to show the carrier was under regulatory pressure, maybe had prior compliance issues, or exposed itself to greater risk. Injured parties can use the carrier’s regulatory history to show a pattern of lack of compliance, which enhances claims of punitive damages or negligent hiring/supervision.
4. Settlement leverage
From a practical standpoint, if you’re represented by a truck accident lawyer and you know the carrier used a revoked ELD (or one that has proper compliance questions), that knowledge gives you leverage: you can demand the full HOS logs, cross‑examine the device’s compliance history, call regulatory experts, and show that the carrier’s internal systems were defective. That tends to increase the likelihood of favorable settlements or verdicts.
Why you need a truck accident lawyer
If you or a loved one has been in a crash involving a commercial truck, hiring an experienced truck accident lawyer is crucial. Here are the reasons:
- Understanding the regulatory framework: Trucking litigation is highly specialized. A general personal injury lawyer may not be fully versed in FMCSA regulations (HOS, ELD rules, drug & alcohol testing, carrier safety rating, etc.). A truck accident lawyer knows these rules and how to leverage them.
- Investigation of compliance issues: The revoked ELDs story shows that compliance holes exist — a lawyer will investigate whether the carrier used a compliant ELD, whether the device was approved, whether switch‑over was timely, etc.
- Access to data and expert analysis: A lawyer can subpoena the carrier’s ELD records, cross‑examine device providers, hire forensic experts to examine logs, and assess whether data was manipulated or defective.
- Proving carrier liability: Beyond the driver, you may have claims against the carrier for negligent hiring, training, supervision or maintenance. A lawyer experienced in truck crash claims knows how to build these multi‑layered cases.
- Maximizing compensation: Truck crashes often involve catastrophic injuries. A lawyer can help you seek full compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, future care, pain & suffering, and hold the carrier fully accountable — especially if compliance issues (like a revoked ELD) make the carrier more vulnerable.
- Navigating settlement vs trial decisions: Carriers often have significant legal teams and insurers; a lawyer levels the playing field and explores whether settlement or trial is optimal given the compliance factors and damage potential.
What you should do if you’ve been injured in a truck crash
- Seek immediate medical care. Your health is the priority. Document all injuries and treatment.
- Preserve evidence. Take photos of the scene, truck, skid marks, damage, driver logs, ELD display, etc.
- Document the truck and carrier. Record the carrier’s name, US DOT number, truck number, driver name, license plate, witness names.
- Ask about the ELD used by the truck. Find out what ELD the truck was using, whether it was on the FMCSA Registered Devices list, and whether it had been revoked or under review.
- Contact a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Provide all information, including whether the truck used a recently revoked device or had regulatory compliance issues.
- Avoid speaking freely with the carrier’s representatives. Carriers often have powerful legal teams; anything you say may be used against you. Your lawyer will handle communications.
- Preserve your rights and deadlines. Truck crash cases often have special rules under state statutes; don’t delay retaining representation.
- Call Orange Law Houston Truck Accident Lawyer Karan Joshi
The FMCSA’s removal of five ELDs from the registered devices list is more than regulatory housekeeping — it’s a sign of ongoing enforcement, technology risk and compliance gaps in the trucking industry. For carriers and drivers, it’s an urgent reminder to ensure their devices are certified and in compliance. For injured parties, it’s a potent avenue for liability investigation: Was a revoked or suspect device implicated in the crash? Did the carrier properly monitor and replace equipment?
When you’re facing the devastating consequences of a truck crash, you need a lawyer who recognizes these industry‑specific risks, digs into the compliance records, and holds the carrier accountable. If you or a loved one has been injured in a collision with a commercial truck, contact our firm — a dedicated truck accident lawyer from Orange Law Firm can begin the investigation, preserve key logs and records, and help you pursue the full compensation you deserve.
Orange Law Firm – Truck Accident Advocates
If you were injured in a crash involving a commercial truck, don’t wait. Contact our experienced truck accident lawyer team today for a free consultation. We’ll review the carrier’s compliance (including ELD usage), evaluate your damages, and help you understand your legal rights. Call 713 885 9787 Now!
