FMCSA News & Regulatory Updates

Historic Interagency Crackdown on CDL Fraud — 110+ Schools Shut Down

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Department of Transportation, and the White House Fraud Task Force launched a coordinated enforcement action targeting fraud in the commercial trucking industry. FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs joined the announcement alongside the Secretaries of DHS and DOT.

The action resulted in the emergency shutdown of 111 CDL training providers across 20 states, including both physical locations and online operations. The schools were identified by cross-referencing FMCSA's Training Provider Registry with roadside inspection records of drivers cited for failing English-language proficiency requirements.

Additionally, more than 160 additional CDL schools are proposed for shutdown pending further investigation. HSI conducted a synchronized surge at 200+ driving schools across 23 states. A new Joint Task Force — "Crossroads of America" — will coordinate ongoing enforcement.

What this means for carriers: If you hired drivers from any of the affected schools, their training certifications may be invalid. Carriers should audit their driver DQF files to verify ELDT training records. SafeHaul TMS² tracks all driver qualification documents including training certificates, with expiration alerts and audit-ready activity logs.

FMCSA Moves Forward with 14-Hour Driving Window Pilot Program

FMCSA announced completion of small-scale pre-tests for its Split Duty Period Pilot Program and Flexible Sleeper Berth Pilot Program. The agency is now reviewing results before launching larger studies in 2027.

The Split Duty Period pilot could give participating drivers the ability to pause their 14-hour driving window for up to three hours under certain conditions. The break must last at least 30 minutes and can be excluded from the 14-hour calculation. The 11-hour driving limit is not changed.

Current status: The 14-hour rule has NOT changed. The added flexibility applies only to qualifying participants in the pilot program. 18 drivers participated in the pretest phase.

2026 International Roadcheck Results: 23.5% of Vehicles Placed Out of Service

CVSA released results from the May 12-14, 2026 International Roadcheck. Certified inspectors conducted 54,575 inspections across North America over three days. While 81% of vehicles and 94.2% of drivers passed with no out-of-service violations, the results highlight ongoing compliance gaps:

• 10,350 vehicles placed out of service (23.5% of Level I, II, V inspections)
• 13,924 out-of-service vehicle violations identified
• Brake systems were the #1 out-of-service violation (3,379 violations, 24.3% of all OOS)
• 20% defective brakes was the #3 OOS violation (2,072 violations)
• Combined, brake-related violations accounted for 39.1% of all out-of-service violations
• 17,680 CVSA decals issued to vehicles passing inspection

What this means for carriers: Brake violations remain the leading cause of out-of-service orders. SafeHaul TMS² tracks annual DOT inspections (49 CFR 396.17) and blocks dispatch when inspections are overdue. The system also alerts when inspections are approaching expiration, giving carriers time to schedule maintenance before the truck is stopped at a scale.

FMCSA Proposes Making English-Language Proficiency an Out-of-Service Condition

FMCSA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would formally make failure to meet the English-language proficiency (ELP) requirement in §391.11(b)(2) an out-of-service condition. Comments are due October 9, 2026.

If finalized as proposed, drivers who cannot meet ELP requirements would be placed out of service at roadside — not just cited. This is part of the broader interagency effort to combat CDL fraud and ensure driver qualifications are legitimate.

What this means for carriers: This rule, if finalized, would add another compliance check at roadside. Carriers should verify that all drivers can read and speak English sufficiently to converse with the general public, understand highway traffic signs and signals, respond to official inquiries, and keep records. SafeHaul TMS² tracks all driver qualification items and can be configured to include custom requirements.

FMCSA Delists 95 ELD Devices in 2025-2026 Crackdown on ELD Manipulation

FMCSA has been steadily purging its ELD registry of devices that fail to meet minimum requirements. As of early August 2026, the agency had delisted 95 devices since January 2025. The agency has also temporarily closed registration to new ELD vendors while it reviews the self-certification process.

"FMCSA is committed to ensuring that electronic logging devices meet the highest standards for accuracy, reliability, and compliance," said FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs. "When devices fail to satisfy the agency's requirements, we will take appropriate action."

CVSA has also expanded ELD tampering enforcement. Since April 2026, a manipulated logbook violation carries a 10-hour out-of-service penalty. ELD falsification was a focus of the 2026 International Roadcheck.

What this means for carriers: If your ELD provider is delisted, you must switch to a compliant device immediately. Check the FMCSA ELD registry to verify your device is still listed. SafeHaul TMS² integrates with all major compliant ELD providers including Samsara, Motive, Geotab, Omnitracs, and Verizon Connect.

CVSA Brake Safety Week — August 23-29, 2026

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's annual Brake Safety Week took place August 23-29, 2026. During this week, inspectors conducted brake system inspections (primarily Level IV Inspections) on trucks and buses throughout North America to identify brake-system violations.

Earlier in 2026, the unannounced Brake Safety Day (April 14) resulted in 574 of 4,021 vehicles (14.3%) placed out of service for brake-related violations. The U.S. brake OOS rate was 13.9%, Canada was 15.6%.

Brake-related violations continue to be the #1 cause of out-of-service orders at roadside inspections, accounting for nearly 40% of all OOS violations during International Roadcheck.

What this means for carriers: Brake maintenance is the highest-risk compliance area for roadside enforcement. SafeHaul TMS² tracks equipment inspections and alerts when annual DOT inspections are approaching expiration. Carriers should schedule brake inspections before enforcement blitzes — and maintain them year-round.

ELD Operator's Manual No Longer Required in the Cab

FMCSA finalized a rule rescinding the requirement for a copy of the ELD operator's manual to be kept in the commercial motor vehicle. The rule took effect July 22, 2026.

Drivers are still required to understand the operation of the ELD on their vehicle and present information during inspections, but the physical manual no longer needs to be in the truck. FMCSA determined there is "no readily apparent benefit" to continuing the requirement given the widespread use of ELDs since December 2019.

What this means for carriers: One less piece of paper to manage. However, drivers must still know how to operate their ELD, transfer data during inspections, and display RODS. SafeHaul TMS² tracks driver qualifications and can include ELD proficiency in driver onboarding checklists.

Speed Limiter Mandate Officially Withdrawn

FMCSA and NHTSA officially withdrew the speed limiter mandate that would have required heavy vehicles (GVWR over 26,000 lbs) to be equipped with speed-limiting devices. The withdrawal was part of the Trump administration's deregulatory agenda.

The agencies justified the withdrawal by citing "significant policy and safety concerns and continued data gaps" that created "considerable uncertainty about the estimated costs, benefits, and other impacts of the proposed rule." The proposal had been controversial since 2016, with the trucking industry divided on whether speed limiters improve safety or create dangerous speed differentials.

What this means for carriers: No federal speed limiter mandate is coming. Carriers that choose to use speed limiters may still do so voluntarily. The focus has shifted to automatic emergency braking (AEB) requirements, which are being pursued separately by NHTSA.