FMCSA overhauls flawed ELD vetting process

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration now includes hundreds of electronic-logging devices (ELDs) in its list of revoked equipment, with 62 new listings this year alone. The most recently delisted devices include Ontime Logs PT, Green Light ELD, Sahara ELD, Usfast ELD, and ELDwise—all added in November.

“They’re certainly getting a better handle on the issue because that list was all self-certified, so all those ELD providers put themselves on the list initially,” Justin Sanders, Transafe safety consultant and log auditor, told Bulk Transporter. “So, motor carriers got locked into three-year contracts with certain providers, and when they weren’t doing what they said they would do, as far as ELDs, telematics, or whatever, that carrier filed a complaint with FMCSA, and they investigated.

“Also, with the audits of all these different ELD providers, they have discovered that key data points—engine hours, odometer readings, or whatever it is—weren’t being reported, therefore they’re no longer certified.”

Now FMCSA finally is trying to pull ahead of this persistent problem with a “complete overhaul” of its ELD vetting process that ensures non-compliant devices are blocked before they reach FMCSA’s Registered ELD list. The new, more rigorous process is part of a broader Department of Transportation initiative to strengthen road safety while cutting costs for drivers and carriers, the agency reported.

“American families deserve to feel safe sharing a road with semi-trucks, and we want truck drivers to have the best tools to maximize those safety precautions,” Derek D. Barrs, FMCSA administrator, said in a news release. “By strengthening our review process for ELDs, we are ensuring the industry can rely on trusted equipment and that hardworking drivers are prioritizing their health and well-being, so they are best prepared to keep driving America’s economy forward.” 

Under the previous system, implemented in 2017, it was easier to register non-compliant devices or re-register devices that had been revoked, leading to repeated revocations and costly, inconvenient replacements for carriers. FMCSA’s updated process closes this loophole, giving carriers and drivers greater peace-of-mind the ELDs they purchase are accurate, reliable, and compliant.

Key features of the new ELD vetting process include:

• Initial review: Verification of contact information, technical specifications, and device images.
• Fraud detection: Cross-checking new applications against active, inactive, revoked, and in-process lists.

Application categorization includes:

• Category 1 (approved): Application has met all necessary requirements for approval.
• Category 2 (information requested): Application is pending further information from the applicant.
• Category 3 (further review): Application requires additional internal assessment and may require additional documentation from the applicant.
• Category 4 (denied): Application does not meet the required standards for approval.