If you are among the estimated 350,000 Class 8 truck drivers using ELDs that depend on 3G service, you have very little time to upgrade or move to a device that uses 4G. Beginning in February 2022, cellular carriers will begin shutting down their 3G networks, making 3G cell phones and other mobile devices obsolete.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), any ELD that requires 3G cellular connectivity to function will no longer meet the technical specifications in the ELD rule once 3G networks are shut down. This means if you are stopped by enforcement and asked for your electronic logs, ELDs dependent on 3G will register as malfunctioning and you could be cited. FMCSA is warning fleets and owner-operators to make sure their electronic logging devices are running on 4G or newer technology to remain compliant with the ELD mandate.
Some ELD providers have been proactive in notifying their customers of the end of 3G, but some have not started doing so yet. We advise ICSA members to contact their ELD provider immediately if they aren’t sure whether their ELD will be compliant once 3G goes away.
For truckers, testing for marijuana continues. Just as with testing for cocaine, amphetamines, PCP, and opioids, testing for marijuana will continue to be conducted on a pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, and return-to-duty basis.
As temperatures rise, so do the risks associated with tires, brakes, and overall vehicle condition. Summer heat doesn’t just stress drivers, it amplifies mechanical weaknesses, making maintenance and inspections more important than ever.
The 2026 road construction season is going to be one of the largest in U.S. history and anyone using the roads should be prepared for what’s coming.