FMCSA Drops Printed ELD Manual Rule, Effective Immediately

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) eliminated the rule requiring trucks to carry a printed copy of the electronic logging device (ELD) operator's manual, effective June 22, 2026. The change appeared in the Federal Register Monday morning.

When does the printed ELD manual rule end?

The rule ended June 22, 2026, the date FMCSA published the final rule in the Federal Register. Carriers no longer face violations for missing printed manuals during roadside inspections starting that date.

"There is no readily apparent benefit to continuing to require that the user's manual be in the commercial motor vehicle given the use of ELDs since December 2019," FMCSA said in the notice. "This final rule eliminates a regulatory burden on motor carriers without compromising safety."

What the old rule required

Since the ELD mandate took full effect in December 2019, carriers had to keep a printed copy of the ELD user's manual in every truck equipped with the device. Drivers were required to understand ELD operation to ensure accuracy of electronic records of duty status and to present the information during roadside inspections.

The absence of the manual could be cited during inspections, affecting a carrier's safety measurement system scores. FMCSA noted in its summary of public comments that the violation was not always cited, but the possibility created compliance uncertainty.

Why FMCSA axed the rule

FMCSA opened a 60-day comment period on the proposed change May 30, 2025. The agency received 24 comments from organizations including the American Trucking Associations and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association. Eighteen comments supported the change, four opposed it, and two were out of scope.

"ELDs routinely have an electronic version of the user's manual built into the device," FMCSA said in summarizing the comments favoring elimination. Commenters also noted that maintaining a printed manual in the vehicle is a burden on motor carriers and can affect their safety measurement system scores when violations are cited during inspections.

The few commenters who argued for keeping the rule said the mandate "is not a major burden." Those commenters stated that drivers and law enforcement often do not know how to access the electronic version of the user's manual, which can be complicated further by the various types of ELDs in use.

FMCSA countered that digital versions of ELD manuals are built into the devices themselves. If a device does not have one, the agency said, FMCSA has a copy that can be accessed from its website.

What carriers must do now

Nothing. The rule change removes the requirement to carry a printed manual. It does not forbid motor carriers or drivers from continuing to carry a printed user's manual for their ELD if they choose to do so.

Carriers who prefer to keep printed manuals in their trucks for driver training or backup reference can continue that practice without penalty. The change simply removes the compliance obligation and the inspection violation risk.

For fleets evaluating ELD options or switching devices after recent FMCSA revocations, confirm that the replacement device includes a digital manual accessible from the driver interface. Most FMCSA-registered devices on the current compliance list include built-in manuals. Carrier Atlas maintains a side-by-side review of ELD options that tracks which devices include in-cab digital manuals and which require web access.

The second rule change Monday

The same Federal Register notice also eliminated the rule requiring CDL holders to report safety violations to their state of domicile. That change, like the ELD manual rule, was part of FMCSA's effort to remove outdated regulatory burdens without compromising safety.

Both changes were proposed in May 2025 and finalized June 22, 2026 after public comment periods.