June 2026 Updates in the Trucking Industry: CDL, ELD, and HOS

June Trucking Compliance Updates Bring New FMCSA Rules, ELD Deadline

June brought several federal trucking compliance updates for the trucking industry. The updates affect commercial truck drivers, motor carriers, owner-operators, fleets, and safety teams.

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s June 2026 regulatory update listed several actions from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. These actions involved trucking paperwork, CDL reporting, ELD rules, hours-of-service exemptions, and drug and alcohol enforcement. FMCSA is removing some older paperwork rules from trucking regulations. At the same time, the agency is still focused on electronic records, roadside checks, and driver safety rules.

For truck drivers, the main point is simple. Some paperwork burdens are being cut. But drivers and carriers still need to be ready for inspections, ELD checks, and key compliance deadlines.

FMCSA Removes Several Trucking Industry Paperwork Rules

FMCSA published three final rules on June 22. Each one removes or reduces a paperwork rule for the trucking industry. All three rules are set to take effect on July 22.

One rule removes the requirement for CDL holders to self-report certain motor vehicle violations to their state of domicile.

Another rule removes the requirement to keep a copy of the ELD operator’s manual inside a commercial motor vehicle.

A third rule removes the requirement for motor carriers and intermodal equipment providers to sign and return every completed roadside inspection form to the state agency that issued it.

These changes do not remove the basic safety duties of truck drivers or carriers.

Instead, the rules remove steps that FMCSA now sees as unneeded or outdated.

For drivers, the changes may lower the risk of a paperwork issue that does not directly affect safe driving.

For carriers, the rules may reduce office work tied to inspection forms, driver reporting, and ELD document checks.

CDL Self-Reporting Rule Ends July 22

One of the June final rules removes the requirement for CDL holders to self-report certain motor vehicle violations to their home state.

That change matters because CDL violation data is already shared through official systems between states.

FMCSA’s final rule removes a separate step that drivers had to complete. That step had become less useful as electronic records became more common.

For CDL drivers, this does not mean violations no longer matter.

Moving violations, disqualifying offenses, and other driving record issues can still affect a driver’s CDL status. They can also affect hiring options and insurance risk.

The rule mainly means drivers will no longer have to complete that specific self-reporting step after the rule takes effect.

Carriers and safety teams may also need to update their driver handbooks. Training materials and internal compliance checklists may also need changes.

ELD Manual Rule Removed From Trucks

FMCSA also removed the requirement for drivers to keep a copy of the ELD operator’s manual inside the truck.

This is a small but useful change for drivers.

Once the rule takes effect, a driver should no longer face a violation just because a printed or electronic copy of the ELD manual is not in the cab.

However, this rule does not remove the driver’s duty during a roadside inspection.

Drivers still need to know how to use their ELD. They also need to know how to show records and transfer hours-of-service data when required.

That difference is important.

The manual may no longer be required in the truck. But ELD knowledge is still part of being ready at roadside.

Fleets may need to make sure drivers are trained on the devices they use. This is especially important when drivers change trucks. It also matters when a company changes ELD providers.

Roadside Inspection Report Rule Changes for Trucking Industry

The third June final rule changes how completed roadside inspection reports are handled.

FMCSA removed the broad requirement that motor carriers and intermodal equipment providers must sign and return every completed roadside inspection form to the state agency that issued it.

Under the change, completed forms will only need to be returned to states that request them.

This rule came in response to a petition for rulemaking from CVSA.

For trucking companies, the rule may reduce paperwork tied to inspections.

For drivers, the direct effect may be limited. Still, inspection reports remain important.

Violations, repairs, and records can still affect a carrier’s safety record. They can also affect a driver’s workday.

The change does not mean carriers can ignore inspection paperwork.

It means the return requirement will depend on whether a state asks for the completed form.

TRUCKSTAFF ELD Revocation Creates August Deadline

The most direct driver-facing compliance item in the June update involves TRUCKSTAFF ELD.

On June 23, FMCSA removed TRUCKSTAFF ELD from its list of registered ELDs. The agency also placed the device on the revoked ELDs list.

The device was identified by ELD Identifier TRS227.

FMCSA said the device failed to meet minimum federal ELD requirements.

Motor carriers and drivers using the revoked device were told to stop using it. They were also told to move to paper logs or other logging software to record required hours-of-service data.

The revoked ELD must be replaced with a compliant device from FMCSA’s registered ELD list before August 23.

That deadline is important for drivers and carriers.

A driver who keeps using TRUCKSTAFF ELD on or after August 23 may be cited for having no record of duty status.

The driver may also be placed out of service under CVSA’s North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria.

For owner-operators, this may mean replacing the device. It may also mean setting up new software and learning a new system before the deadline.

For company drivers, it may mean checking with safety managers to confirm the fleet is not using the revoked device.

FMCSA Reviews Non-CDL Enforcement in Trucking Industry

FMCSA also requested comments on an information collection request tied to controlled substance and alcohol violations among non-CDL commercial motor vehicle drivers.

The request is meant to collect data. FMCSA wants to assess ways to prevent, detect, and enforce drug and alcohol violations among non-CDL CMV drivers.

Comments are due by August 21.

This item does not directly change rules for CDL truck drivers.

However, it may signal future attention on commercial drivers who operate vehicles that do not require a CDL. Those drivers are still part of the larger commercial vehicle industry.

For fleets that operate mixed vehicle types, this may be worth watching.

Future enforcement or data collection efforts could affect businesses that use non-CDL drivers. That may include delivery, service, construction, utility, or regional operations.

HOS Exemptions and CDL Extension Requests Also Moved Forward

The June update also included several exemption items.

FMCSA provisionally renewed an exemption request from the Association of American Railroads and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.

The exemption allows certain railroad workers to extend some hours-of-service limits when they respond to unplanned events.

It is effective June 19 through October 19.

FMCSA also requested comments on the American Pyrotechnics Association’s request to extend its current HOS exemptions to one new member, North Star Fireworks LLC.

Comments on that request are due July 20.

In another item, FMCSA requested comments on a Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles application for an exemption from CDL requirements.

The request would allow Virginia to extend the validity of CDLs and commercial learner’s permits during state-declared emergencies.

Comments on that request are due July 17.

These exemptions are more limited than the broader paperwork rules.

They mostly affect specific industries, certain emergency situations, or drivers connected to those operations.

Key Trucking Industry Compliance Dates From June

Several dates from the June update may matter to drivers, carriers, and compliance teams.

The Virginia CDL and CLP extension exemption comment period closes July 17.

Comments on the fireworks-related HOS exemption request are due July 20.

The three FMCSA final rules take effect July 22. These rules remove the CDL self-reporting requirement, the ELD operator’s manual requirement, and the broad inspection report return requirement.

Nominations for a motor carrier industry vacancy on the Unified Carrier Registration Plan Board of Directors are due August 10.

Comments on FMCSA’s non-CDL CMV drug and alcohol enforcement information collection request are due August 21.

The TRUCKSTAFF ELD replacement deadline is August 23.

June Updates Show Paperwork Relief and Continued Enforcement Risk

The June regulatory update shows two sides of the current federal trucking compliance picture.

On one side, FMCSA is removing some rules that created paperwork for drivers and carriers.

CDL self-reporting, in-cab ELD manuals, and automatic return of inspection forms are all being reduced or removed.

On the other side, drivers and carriers still face real risk when compliance systems fail.

The TRUCKSTAFF ELD revocation shows that electronic logging devices remain a major roadside issue.

Drivers using a revoked device after the deadline can face a no-record-of-duty-status violation. They can also be placed out of service.

For commercial truck drivers, the practical message is clear.

Some paperwork rules are going away. But inspection readiness still matters.

Drivers still need accurate logs. They need working ELD systems. They also need to know how to present records when asked.

For motor carriers, June’s updates may reduce some office work. But they also create a need to review policies, train drivers, update ELD systems, and track coming deadlines.

For the trucking industry, the result is not a full rollback of compliance.

Instead, it is a shift away from older paperwork rules and toward electronic records, targeted enforcement, and device-based accountability.