Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, April 2, 2026:
- 28th ELD revocation of 2026.
- Mega-broker waiving fees for fuel card, cash advances.
- Use telematics? ATRI wants to hear from you.
Hero ELD joins growing list of revoked devices
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on Thursday announced the revocation of the certification of the Hero ELD, marking at least the 28th revocation by the agency just this year.
“Devices that don’t meet federal standards will be removed from FMCSA’s registered list,” said FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs. “Since January 2025, we’ve already taken off more than 56 devices, and we’ll keep going to protect the integrity of the ELD program and to keep America’s roads safe.”
The Hero ELD’s revocation is just the latest in a growing trend of FMCSA action cracking down on non-compliant ELDs, including perhaps a new effort of culling what Barrs called “chameleon ELDs” at last week’s Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky.
[Related: The 'new FMCSA' talks aggressive new strategy at MATS]
Hero ELD said Thursday that its “team is actively working with FMCSA to fix the issue.”
Motor carriers and drivers using the device have up to 60 days to replace it with a compliant ELD from the agency’s Registered Devices List. For now, carriers and drivers are asked to stop using the revoked ELD and revert to paper logs -- standard procedure for revoked devices.
Hero ELD users have until June 2 to replace the device with a compliant ELD.
Prior to June 2, safety officials are encouraged not to cite drivers using the revoked ELD for 395.8(a)(1) (“No record of duty status”) or 395.22(a) (“Failing to use a registered ELD”). Instead, they're directed to request the driver’s paper logs or logging software, or use the ELD display as a back-up method to review hours-of-service data.
Beginning June 2, however, carriers and drivers who continue to use the revoked device, unless reinstated, will be considered as operating without an ELD and can be cited for such.
If the ELD provider corrects all identified deficiencies for its device, FMCSA will place the ELD back on the list of registered devices and inform the industry of the update.
[Related: FMCSA decertifies 14 ELDs amid ongoing purge]
C.H. Robinson extends olive branch on fuel prices
With diesel prices jumping sharply over the last month in the wake of conflict in Iran, C.H. Robinson is offering free fuel-discount cards and free cash advances for fuel.
“Fuel is the biggest expense for a carrier, typically running 20% and as much as 28% of the cost of operating a truck,” said Michael Castagnetto, the company’s President of North American Surface Transportation. “With the largest network of carriers in North America, we want to help them get through this unexpected financial strain. Today’s environment is especially challenging for the nearly 60% of carriers that are owner-operators. These small businesses carry a huge amount of the goods that come to everybody’s stores, offices, factories and homes.”
The C.H. Robinson Fuel Card unlocks discounts on fuel at thousands of truck stops across the United States, the company said. According to C.H. Robinson, owners can save up to $385 in one fill and up to $9,000 a year per truck. Carriers can apply online in minutes, and approval typically takes three to five business days.
The application fee will be waived for carriers applying in April and May.
C.H. Robinson added that it’s one of the few logistics providers that also offers a cash advance for carriers to help cover expenses. After picking up a load, carriers can receive up to 60% of their pay. The fee will be waived for advances requested on the C.H. Robinson Fuel Card in April and May.
A cash advance can be requested in seconds on the Navisphere Carrier app or website. New and existing carriers for C.H. Robinson are eligible. To get the free advance, choose the option of having it loaded on the fuel card.
[Related: Fuel's surge slows, except in $7+ California, as spot rates react]
ATRI asks carriers for telematics info
The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) is calling on motor carriers to participate in a new survey that will help the research organization identify industry telematics applications for data-driven performance metrics.
This data collection is part of a study -- Capitalizing on Telematics -- that was identified by ATRI’s Research Advisory Committee (RAC) in 2025 as a top priority. The research seeks to document current industry best practices and assess emerging capabilities and different uses of telematics data by trucking fleets.
The result of the research will be a best practices guide for leveraging telematics data to improve overall performance, with a focus on safety, operations and maintenance metrics.
Motor carriers are invited to participate in the confidential survey here. The survey will remain open through Friday, April 17.
[Related: Telematics beyond ELD systems: Promise, redundancy and real expense/uptime benefits]
