ELD Violations & Penalties
Every FMCSA §395 ELD violation — fines, CSA point values, out-of-service triggers, and how to avoid each one.
2026 ELD Violation Table
| § | Violation | Fine | CSA Points | Out of Service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 395.8(a) | No RODS / no ELD when required | $1,000 – $10,000+ | 5 pts | Yes |
| 395.8(e) | Falsifying logs | $1,000 – $12,000 | 7 pts | Yes |
| 395.22(a) | ELD not FMCSA-registered | $1,000+ | 5 pts | Yes |
| 395.22(h) | Unable to transfer ELD data | $500 – $2,000 | 1 pt | No (usually) |
| 395.24(d) | No ELD user manual in cab | $100 – $500 | 1 pt | No |
| 395.24(d) | No malfunction instruction sheet | $100 – $500 | 1 pt | No |
| 395.34 | ELD malfunction not addressed within 8 days | $500 – $2,000 | 3 pts | Yes |
| 395.30(b) | Unassigned driving time not reviewed | $500 – $1,500 | 2 pts | No |
| 395.8(k) | Failure to retain RODS 6 months | $500 – $2,000 | 3 pts | No |
Fines reflect 2026 FMCSA guidelines. State enforcement may vary. CSA points from FMCSA Safety Measurement System weightings.
Downstream Costs Nobody Talks About
Insurance premium hikes
10–30% increase after 2+ HOS violations in 12 months. Some carriers non-renew.
CSA score impact
Points stay on your record for 24 months. Shippers filter carriers by CSA.
DOT audit trigger
Repeat violations can trigger a compliance review, which is 2–5 days of paperwork and site visits.
Load board reputation
Brokers pull CSA before offering loads. A hot HOS BASIC score = fewer/lower-paying loads.
ELD Violations FAQ
What is the fine for not having an ELD?+
$1,000 to $10,000+ per violation. If you're required to have one and you don't, it's an out-of-service violation — meaning you park the truck immediately and can't move until compliant.
How much are ELD-related CSA points?+
1 to 7 CSA points per violation. CSA scores affect insurance premiums, shipper contracts, and DOT audit frequency. Violations stay on your record for 24 months.
Can ELD violations put me out of service?+
Yes. No ELD, non-registered ELD, falsified logs, or unresolved malfunction beyond 8 days can all trigger out-of-service. You lose 8–48 hours plus the fine.
Do ELD violations affect insurance premiums?+
Yes. Insurers pull CSA scores annually. A poor HOS/ELD BASIC score can raise premiums 10–30% or trigger non-renewal.
Can drivers be personally fined?+
Yes. Falsifying logs, refusing an inspection, or driving without required RODS can result in personal fines up to $12,000 and driver disqualification.
How do I avoid ELD violations?+
Use an FMCSA-registered ELD, keep the user manual and malfunction sheet in the cab, run the inspection-mode test monthly, and review unassigned driving time weekly. ELD Hub does most of this automatically.
Avoid all of this for $15/month.
ELD Hub auto-flags violations before they hit your CSA.
Get compliant