The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has eliminated the requirement for commercial motor vehicle drivers to carry a printed copy of their electronic logging device (ELD) user manual, a move that reduces paperwork burden without compromising safety, according to a Federal Register notice published Monday.
The change was one of two minor regulatory updates FMCSA finalized on Monday. The other eliminates the rule requiring a commercial driver's license (CDL) holder to report safety violations to their state of domicile. Both rules were proposed in 2025 and opened for public comment.
Regulatory Change Details
According to FMCSA, the rule requiring a printed ELD manual in the truck was no longer necessary because “ELDs routinely have an electronic version of the user’s manual built into the device.” The agency added that it also maintains copies of manuals on its website for devices that lack an electronic version. The final rule, published in the Federal Register, states: “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 described the change as eliminating “a regulatory burden on motor carriers without compromising safety.”
Industry Reaction
FMCSA opened a 60-day public comment period on May 30, 2025, which drew 24 responses. The comments broke down as follows:
| Position | Number of Comments |
|---|---|
| Support elimination | 18 |
| Oppose elimination | 4 |
| Out of scope | 2 |
Organizations such as the American Trucking Associations and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association submitted comments. Commenters favoring elimination noted that maintaining a printed manual “is a burden on motor carriers which can affect their safety measurement system scores in terms of violations cited during inspections.” They added that the absence of a printed manual is “usually not cited as a violation but could be.” Those opposed argued the requirement “is not a major burden” and noted that drivers and law enforcement may not know how to access the electronic version, especially given the variety of ELD models.
FMCSA acknowledged these concerns but concluded that the electronic versions are widely available and that the rule change does not forbid carriers or drivers from carrying a printed manual if they choose.
Implications for Carriers and Drivers
For the trucking industry, the elimination of the printed manual requirement removes one potential citation point during roadside inspections. Previously, carriers could face minor violations for missing manuals, affecting their Safety Measurement System (SMS) scores. With ELD adoption now standard since the December 2019 mandate, most drivers are familiar with device operation, and digital manuals are readily accessible. The change applies to all commercial motor vehicles subject to ELD requirements in the United States.
Freight forwarders and logistics managers should note that while this rule reduces compliance overhead, it does not alter any other ELD requirements. Carriers remain responsible for ensuring drivers understand device operation and can present electronic records of duty status during inspections.
The FMCSA’s action reflects a broader trend toward digitization in transportation regulation, reducing physical paperwork while maintaining safety oversight. As the agency stated, the final rule “eliminates a regulatory burden on motor carriers without compromising safety.”
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