Focus on ELDs

With the upcoming CVSA International Roadcheck 2026 focus on ELD tampering, ICSA wanted to remind members some things that they need to know about their ELDs.

Take these steps to be sure your ELDs and your drivers are ready for any inspection:

• Go to the ICSA website under the tab “Resources” (https://www.safecarriers.org/resources/) and click on the “Approved ELD List” in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration section. There you will find both the ELDs still accepted as legitimate and the many ELDs which FMCSA has revoked. If your ELD is no longer legal, your drivers must immediately switch to paper logs and a compliant ELD installed within 60 days.
• Train your drivers that inspectors will be looking for hours of service (HOS) violations and these three major ELD errors: 1) the “phantom driver;” 2) misuse of “personal conveyance;” and 3) evidence of remote tampering:
  • “Phantom driver.” When the truck driver, as required by law, gives an inspector access to the ELD data, the inspector will see how many users are entered. More than one driver with recent hours of service entries but only one driver in the cab? That’s an HOS out-of-service violation for a “phantom driver.”
  • “Personal conveyance.” A driver may legally use the truck for personal reasons – such as driving to a restaurant or finding a place to park after running out of hours. However, the truck driver must first change the ELD status to “Off-Duty” and the personal use of the truck cannot result in the truck ending up closer to the next day’s destination.
  • Remote tampering. There are many reasons a truck driver or the motor carrier may edit ELD records. Example: the driver entered the wrong driving status. The FMCSA webpage posted by ICSA has FAQs on editing records and many other ELD questions at https://eld.fmcsa.dot.gov/FAQ. However, legitimate editing will indicate whether the truck driver or the motor carrier made the edits. Edits made by others may be indications of ELD tampering – the new CVSA out-of-service violation.

Focus now on ELDs and keep your trucks running legally!