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FMCSA Watched It Happen
A truck driver reset his electronic driving logs in just 10 minutes while federal and state investigators watched.
Nebojsa Lindic, Paul Jaroslawski · October 30, 2026 · 6 min read
TGIF. One phone call was all it took to give a truck driver a fresh set of driving hours. FMCSA and Illinois State Police watched the manipulation happen in real time, as regulators now report removing more than 100 noncompliant ELDs from their registry.
Plus:
Insurance Claims Hammer Brokerage Giants
Ryder and Echo Named in Ransomware Claims
Werner Says Capacity Cuts Just Started
💡 QUESTION OF THE DAY:
Zach Meiborg, President of Meiborg Companies, estimates that as many as ______ trucks could be operating with fraudulent electronic logs.
🍳 WHAT’S COOKIN’ IN FREIGHT
📉 Insurance Claims Hammer Brokerage Giants. C.H. Robinson and Landstar shares plunged Wednesday after both companies reported elevated insurance and claims expenses. C.H. Robinson shares fell 11.14%, while its other selling, general and administrative expenses rose 29.7% year over year, partly due to higher claims expenses and a real estate impairment charge. Landstar shares dropped 17.76% after insurance and claims costs jumped nearly 68%, from $33 million to $55.3 million. Its CFO also reported that incurred-but-not-reported claims reserves increased 27% between Q4 2022 and Q4 2025, despite a declining truck count. C.H. Robinson expects to finalize its 2027 insurance renewal by December.
💻 Ryder and Echo Named in Ransomware Claims. Ransomware group Whitearmor listed Ryder and Echo Global Logistics on its leak site on October 28, claiming it stole sensitive company data. The group alleges it obtained 490 GB from Ryder, including employee information, credentials, and telematics configurations, demanding $20 million in Bitcoin. For Echo, it claims it has 2 GB of records tied to 153,727 freight loads, 261,440 quotes, 9,122 carriers, and 2,418 customers, and demands $10 million in Bitcoin. The alleged Echo data includes information about freight operations and business relationships. Neither company has publicly confirmed the alleged breach.
🚛 Werner Says Capacity Cuts Just Started. Werner Enterprises CEO Derek Leathers estimated that 3–4% of trucking capacity has already exited, while roughly 15% was operating outside current regulations. He said enforcement is expanding beyond drivers to CDL schools, license issuance, and B-1 visa cabotage violations, with the latter “only really just getting started.” Leathers also cited industry data showing driver application rejection rates have climbed 170% since January, while trucking school enrollment has fallen 20–30%. Higher insurance costs, stricter carrier vetting, and litigation risks are making it harder for new operators to enter the market. Leathers expects further capacity reductions and rising freight rates through year-end.
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ELD Fraud, Live on Camera
A truck driver had his electronic driving logs reset in just 10 minutes while Illinois State Police officers and an FMCSA investigator watched.
During the demonstration at the DeKalb Police Station, reported by Overdrive on October 28, Meiborg Inc. driver Francis Buchanan called a federally registered ELD provider, provided his company and truck numbers, and requested a reset.
Minutes later, his logs showed a fresh set of driving hours and full compliance.
The Cost of Playing by the Rules
Zach Meiborg, CEO of the 250-truck Meiborg Companies, bought the fraudulent ELD to show how easily driving records can be manipulated.
In a separate editorial, Meiborg estimated that compliant carriers could face operating costs of around $3 per mile, compared with about $1.80 for carriers that manipulate their driving hours.
"We're getting our asses kicked by these guys because we simply can't compete," he told investigators.
Meiborg estimates that as many as one million trucks could be operating with fraudulent electronic logs. That figure is his estimate, not an official FMCSA finding.
FMCSA Promises Action
Following the demonstration, FMCSA issued a statement promising to hold violators accountable.
At Wednesday's WEX OTR Summit, FMCSA Chief Safety Officer Steve Dowling said the agency has removed more than 100 noncompliant ELDs from its registered list and prevented nearly 600 additional devices from being approved.
"You can't go in and edit logs by making a phone call," Dowling said. "Anytime we hear of that, we're going and investigating."
"The front door is locked, but the house is packed," Meiborg said of the agency's efforts.
Investigators Have a Problem
Illinois officers acknowledged difficulties detecting manipulated logs during roadside inspections.
One officer said that even after identifying fraud, the state lacked authority to tow a truck simply for the suspected manipulation. Officers also warned that drivers could have records reset remotely within minutes of being stopped.
Freight brokers entered the discussion because their load records can help investigators reconstruct a truck's movements and check them against its reported driving hours.
An FMCSA investigator complained that brokers often promote safety but fail to cooperate when investigators request shipment information.
"Brokers who want to see change [in the industry] are highly encouraged to cooperate," the investigator said. "We should all be on the same team."
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🌎 AROUND THE FREIGHT WEB
🔥 Tesla Semi Bursts Into Flames. A Tesla Semi caught fire while traveling on I-880 near Hayward, California, forcing authorities to shut down both directions of the interstate. CHP initially estimated the lithium battery fire could burn for 15–18 hours.
⚖️ ITS Logistics' $396K Settlement. The Reno-based 3PL agreed to pay $396,135 to resolve an EEOC religious harassment charge involving a former Jewish employee. The agreement includes compensation, workplace policy changes, and employee training.
🪪 Ohio Plans to End Non-Domiciled CDLs. Ohio's BMV announced plans to discontinue its non-domiciled CDL program after reviewing roughly 5,000 license holders. About 2,000 licenses have already been downgraded, and the rest are subject to notice-and-hearing procedures.
⛽ Diesel Relief? Not So Fast. Fuel experts warned at the WEX OTR Summit that diesel prices could remain elevated for months, even if global conflicts end tomorrow, as disruptions to global fuel supplies and shipping routes take time to resolve.
🥸 Fake Beards, Real CDLs. A former New York DMV supervisor received one year in jail for a CDL exam cheating scheme. Her sister allegedly wore disguises, including fake facial hair, to take tests for applicants who never showed up.
🚛 Super Ego Says It's Still in Elmhurst. Following our Wednesday report, Super Ego contacted us to clarify that it continues operating at its Elmhurst, Illinois location while exploring other properties. The company also said SkyBlue is its subsidiary operating as a separate business, not a successor to Super Ego.
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