New trucking laws: the federal rule tracker for small carriers
By Edwin Horton ยท Updated
Every year brings new trucking rules, but most of them are small, and the big ones often take years to become final or never do. This tracker lists federal actions that matter to small carriers, with their status, effective date and Federal Register document, so you can tell what's in force from what's only proposed.
Last checked: October 11, 2026. Updated monthly. Federal FMCSA and EPA actions only; no rumors or announced-but-unpublished plans.
The 2026 rule tracker
- FINAL, MAR 16 2026
Non-domiciled CDLs limited
Eligibility narrowed for CDLs and permits issued to non-domiciled drivers.
- FINAL, MAR 23 2026
Electronic inspection reports
Rule confirms driver vehicle inspection reports may be electronic.
- FINAL, MAR 23 / APR 20 2026
Parts and accessories clean-up
Spare fuses, fuel tank overfill limit and liquid-burning flare references removed.
- FINAL, APR 20 2026
EPA vehicle GHG standards rescinded
Greenhouse gas standards for heavy-duty vehicles and engines repealed.
- FINAL, JUL 22 2026
ELD manual, CDL self-reporting, inspection report return
Three paperwork rules changed or removed.
- FINAL, OCT 1 2026
UCR fees for 2027
Higher fees for the 2027 registration year.
- PROPOSED, AUG 10 2026
English proficiency out-of-service
Would codify ELP as an out-of-service violation. Comments closed Oct 9.
- PROPOSED, JUL 14 2026
EPA 2027 engine amendments
Changes to useful life and warranty provisions for MY2027+ heavy-duty engines.
- WITHDRAWN, JUL 2025
Speed limiter mandate
No federal speed limiter requirement for heavy trucks.
Final rules in effect
| Rule | Effective | What it changes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-domiciled CDL eligibility | March 16, 2026 | Limits who can get a non-domiciled CDL or permit; reaffirms the September 2025 interim rule | 91 FR 7044 Non-domiciled CDL final ruleFinal rule published February 13, 2026; effective March 16, 2026FMCSA final rule 2026-02965 (91 FR 7044) limits eligibility for non-domiciled CLPs and CDLs, reaffirming with minor changes the interim final rule of September 29, 2025. Check for later court action.Federal Register 2026-02965Checked Oct 2026 |
| Electronic driver vehicle inspection reports | March 23, 2026 | Makes clear DVIRs may be completed electronically | 91 FR 7893 Electronic driver vehicle inspection reportsFinal rule effective March 23, 2026 makes clear DVIRs may be electronicFMCSA final rule 2026-03264 (91 FR 7893) clarifies that driver vehicle inspection reports may be completed electronically.Federal Register 2026-03264Checked Oct 2026 |
| Parts and accessories clean-ups | March 23 and April 20, 2026 | Removes spare fuse and 95% fuel tank fill requirements and liquid-burning flare references | 91 FR 7877 and related Parts and accessories clean-up rulesFinal rules effective March 23 and April 20, 2026: spare fuse and fuel tank overfill requirements removed; liquid-burning flare references removedFMCSA final rules published February 19, 2026: 2026-03262 removes the spare fuse requirement (effective April 20, 2026); 2026-03265 removes the 95% fuel tank overfill restriction; 2026-03261 removes references to liquid-burning flares from warning device rules (both effective March 23, 2026).Federal Register 2026-03262Checked Oct 2026 |
| EPA vehicle greenhouse gas standards | April 20, 2026 | Repeals GHG standards for light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and engines | 91 FR 7686 EPA vehicle greenhouse gas standards rescindedFinal rule published February 18, 2026; effective April 20, 2026EPA final rule 2026-03157 (91 FR 7686) rescinds the 2009 endangerment finding and repeals greenhouse gas emission standards for light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and engines. Legal challenges may follow; check current status.Federal Register 2026-03157Checked Oct 2026 |
| ELD operator's manual in the truck | July 22, 2026 | No longer required in the cab; drivers must still know the device | 91 FR 37050 ELD operator's manual no longer required in the truckFinal rule effective July 22, 2026FMCSA final rule 2026-12448 (91 FR 37050) rescinds the requirement to keep a copy of the ELD operator's manual in the CMV; drivers must still understand the ELD and present records during inspections.Federal Register 2026-12448Checked Oct 2026 |
| CDL self-reporting of violations | July 22, 2026 | Removes the driver's duty to self-report to the home state | 91 FR 37047 CDL self-reporting of violations removedFinal rule effective July 22, 2026FMCSA final rule 2026-12449 (91 FR 37047) removes the requirement for CDL holders to self-report motor vehicle violations to their state of domicile, because states now exchange violations electronically.Federal Register 2026-12449Checked Oct 2026 |
| Roadside inspection report return | July 22, 2026 | Revises the duty to sign and return inspection reports to states that don't require it | 91 FR 37053 Roadside inspection report returnFinal rule effective July 22, 2026 revises the duty to sign and return roadside inspection reportsFMCSA final rule 2026-12450 (91 FR 37053) revises the requirement that carriers sign and return completed roadside inspection reports to the issuing state agency, since not all states require it.Federal Register 2026-12450Checked Oct 2026 |
| UCR fees | October 1, 2026 | Higher fees for 2027 registration and later | 91 FR 56063 UCR fees for 2027Final rule effective October 1, 2026 raises UCR fees for 2027 and laterFMCSA final rule 2026-17893 (91 FR 56063) adopts the UCR Board's recommended fee increase for the 2027 registration year and subsequent years.Federal Register 2026-17893Checked Oct 2026 |
Proposed rules (not in effect)
| Proposal | Published | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| English language proficiency as an out-of-service violation | August 10, 2026 | Comments closed October 9, 2026 | 91 FR 51422 English language proficiency out-of-service (proposed)Proposed August 10, 2026; comments closed October 9, 2026; not finalFMCSA proposed rule 2026-16288 (91 FR 51422) would codify the English language proficiency driver qualification requirement as an out-of-service violation, aligning the regulations with CVSA's out-of-service criteria.Federal Register 2026-16288Checked Oct 2026 |
| EPA model year 2027 heavy-duty engine amendments | July 14, 2026 | Proposed | 91 FR 43154 EPA model year 2027 heavy-duty engine amendments (proposed)Proposed July 14, 2026; not finalEPA proposed rule 2026-14112 (91 FR 43154) would amend compliance provisions and test procedures for model year 2027 and later heavy-duty highway engines, including useful life periods and emission-related warranty periods.Federal Register 2026-14112Checked Oct 2026 |
| Split sleeper berth pilot program | September 17, 2025 | Comments closed November 17, 2025 | 90 FR 44790 Split sleeper berth pilot program (proposed)Proposed September 17, 2025; comments closed November 17, 2025; about 256 CDL driversFMCSA proposed rule 2025-17939 (90 FR 44790) would run a pilot giving about 256 CDL drivers temporary relief from the rule requiring one sleeper berth period of at least 7 consecutive hours when splitting.Federal Register 2025-17939Checked Oct 2026 |
| Transparency in property broker transactions | November 20, 2024; reopened February 18, 2025 | Not final | 90 FR 9702 Broker transparency (proposed)Proposed November 20, 2024; comment period reopened February 18, 2025; not finalFMCSA's Transparency in Property Broker Transactions proposal (NPRM November 20, 2024) would change broker record access rules; the comment period was reopened by notice 2025-02707 (90 FR 9702).Federal Register 2025-02707Checked Oct 2026 |
Withdrawn
| Proposal | Action | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Speed limiting devices for heavy trucks | Withdrawn July 2025 | Federal speed limiter proposalWithdrawn July 24, 2025; no federal speed limiter mandateFMCSA and NHTSA withdrew the proposed rule that would have required speed limiting devices on heavy trucks (Federal Register 2025-13928). Speed limiters remain a fleet, insurer or customer choice, not a federal requirement.Federal Register 2025-13928, 2025Checked Oct 2026 |
Also pending: FMCSA's Enhanced Safety Measurement System was approved in November 2024, with a launch date still to be announced Enhanced SMSApproved November 2024; launch date not yet announcedFMCSA's November 20, 2024 notice approved changes to the Safety Measurement System (new violation groupings, severity and categories). FMCSA said it will announce the implementation date; until then the current SMS method applies.Federal Register 2024-27087, 2024Checked Oct 2026.
What small carriers should do now
- Hiring: if you hire drivers with non-domiciled CDLs, review eligibility under the March 2026 rule.
- Paperwork: electronic DVIRs are clearly allowed; the ELD manual no longer has to ride in the cab, but drivers still need to know how to transfer records.
- Equipment: the spare fuse requirement is gone; triangles or fusees and a fire extinguisher remain required.
- Fees: budget for higher UCR fees in 2027 and register on time.
- Drivers: English proficiency is still enforced at roadside under existing criteria while the federal rule is pending.
Update your trucking company compliance checklist and safety plan when a rule affects them.
EXAMPLE A five-truck carrier reads the July 2026 rules and makes two changes: it moves drivers to electronic inspection reports in the ELD app and removes the printed ELD manual from its in-cab document checklist, keeping the data transfer instruction sheet and blank logs. It also adds the 2027 UCR fee to next year's budget.
What changed in 2025
Several 2026 rules started in 2025. In May 2025 FMCSA published a large batch of deregulatory proposals covering parts and accessories, inspection report handling, the in-cab ELD manual and CDL self-reporting; most became the final rules listed above in 2026. In July 2025 the speed limiter proposal was withdrawn; if you're weighing a governed speed anyway, the speed limiter impact calculator runs the numbers. In September 2025 FMCSA issued the interim final rule on non-domiciled CDLs, finalized in February 2026, and proposed the split sleeper berth pilot program. Rules often take a year or more to move from proposal to final, which is why this tracker lists both.
How a rule becomes law
Most federal trucking rules follow the same path. An agency publishes a proposed rule (a notice of proposed rulemaking) in the Federal Register and opens a comment period. It reviews the comments and may publish a final rule, which states an effective date. Some rules start as an interim final rule that takes effect right away and is finalized later, as the non-domiciled CDL rule did in 2025 and 2026. Agencies can also withdraw proposals, as happened with speed limiters.
Until a final rule's effective date, a proposal changes nothing you must do. Court challenges can delay or block rules even after they take effect, so check the current status before relying on one.
How to follow rules yourself
The Federal Register publishes every federal rule, proposal and withdrawal. FMCSA documents can be searched by agency on federalregister.gov, and each has a docket where you can read and file comments on proposals. Your state trucking association tracks state changes; see the list of trucking associations.
How rule changes reach your fleet
Rules feed your safety data and your customers' requirements. See how violations affect your scores with the CSA score estimator, and expect shippers in dedicated trucking contracts to ask how you keep up. For how our desk works, see small fleet dispatch.
This tracker summarizes published federal actions; it isn't legal advice. Check the Federal Register document and any later court action before relying on a rule.
New rules: what carriers ask
01What are the new trucking laws for 2026?
Final federal rules effective in 2026 include limits on non-domiciled CDLs, clarification that inspection reports may be electronic, removal of the in-cab ELD manual requirement and of CDL self-reporting of violations, parts and accessories clean-ups, and higher UCR fees for 2027. EPA rescinded its vehicle greenhouse gas standards.
02Is there a speed limiter law for trucks?
No federal one. FMCSA and NHTSA withdrew the heavy-truck speed limiter proposal in July 2025.
03Is the English proficiency rule final?
Not as of October 2026. FMCSA proposed codifying English language proficiency as an out-of-service violation on August 10, 2026, and comments closed October 9, 2026. Roadside enforcement under existing criteria continues.
04Do I still need the ELD manual in the truck?
Not after July 22, 2026, when FMCSA's rule removing that requirement took effect. Drivers still must know how to use the ELD and present their records at inspections.
05How often is this tracker updated?
Monthly, and when a major rule is published. Each entry shows its Federal Register document and the date we last checked it.
06Does this cover state laws?
This edition covers federal FMCSA and EPA actions. State laws vary widely; check your state DOT and trucking association.
07What's the difference between a proposed rule and a final rule?
A proposed rule is a draft published for public comment and has no legal effect. A final rule is the adopted version and takes effect on the date it states, unless a court or the agency delays it.
08Where can I read new trucking regulations?
On federalregister.gov, which publishes every federal rule and proposal with its full text, effective date and docket. The current regulations themselves are in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.