Deregulation or Disruption? Inside the FMCSA Rule Changes That Could Reshape Trucking in 2026

A Practical Breakdown of What’s Changing, What’s Slowing Down, and What Fleets Should Prepare For

From a government shutdown to removing non-domiciled CDL drivers from the roads and the largest crackdown on CDL schools in history, the trucking industry looks ahead to 2026 with one question on their minds:

Will DOT and FMCSA regulations slow down under the Trump administration—or are more changes still coming?

The short answer: both.

While the Trump administration has clearly shifted federal agencies toward deregulation and cost containment, FMCSA and the U.S. Department of Transportation are not standing still. Instead, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of regulatory realignment, with fewer brand-new mandates, more modernization of existing rules, and a continued focus on transparency, technology, and workforce access.

Using the White House’s Spring 2025 Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions, here’s what fleets should realistically expect in 2026, and which FMCSA rules are most likely to impact operations.

A Look Back at 2025 Changes

One of the biggest changes was a federal crackdown on non-domiciled CDLs. After safety audits and fatal crashes, FMCSA issued an emergency rule halting non-domiciled CDL issuance in noncompliant states and ordered California to pause its program or risk losing federal highway funding. New standards now require strict visa eligibility, federal status verification, annual in-person renewals, and eliminate employment documents as proof with an estimated 90,000+ CDLs removed nationwide.

FMCSA also launched the largest enforcement action ever against low-quality CDL training programs. Nearly 3,000 training providers were removed from the Training Provider Registry, with another 4,500 placed under investigation. More than 44% of all CDL schools are now under federal scrutiny, signaling that shortcut training models and “CDL mills” are no longer tolerated.

At the state level, California began actively enforcing AB5 against trucking. The first major case resulted in nearly $900,000 in penalties and confirmed that carriers, shippers, and 3PLs can all be held liable if they control driver work. The enforcement made clear that the traditional owner-operator model faces serious legal risk in California.

FMCSA’s MOTUS registration system rollout announced – A Major Shift for Trucking Registration. Motus is one of the most significant regulatory technology upgrades FMCSA has ever undertaken. By rolling it out in phases, starting with supporting companies, FMCSA is aiming for a smoother transition and better long-term reliability. Motor carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders don’t need to take action yet, but they should prepare for: A more secure registration process, fewer filing delays, more accurate company data, and a better user experience in 2026. For now, the spotlight is on supporting companies as they build the foundation that will support millions of users once Motus fully launches.

Finally, private enforcement tightened as Amazon raised its safety standards for carriers. In 2025, Amazon Relay announced new driver and vehicle violation rate metrics based on roadside inspections, adding them to existing SMS scores. While new carriers must comply in late 2025, existing fleets face full enforcement by February 2026—making inspection performance and corrective actions a direct revenue issue. Amazon will still be vetting carriers based on their BASIC performance – however, the new, additional standards will be giving carriers a rating based on OOS%’s for vehicles and drivers over the past year – something that amazon didn’t previously hold against carriers.

A Slower Pace—but Not a Regulatory Freeze

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Under the current administration, DOT agencies are operating under a regulatory budget framework, meaning they must offset the cost of new regulations by revising or removing existing ones. That policy alone naturally slows the pace of traditional rulemaking.

For trucking, that means:

• Fewer sweeping new mandates
• More targeted updates to existing rules
• A heavy emphasis on removing outdated or duplicative requirements

However, over 40 trucking-related rules remain in FMCSA’s pipeline, many of which are already far enough along that they’re expected to move forward regardless of political headwinds.

Let’s take a look at these according to their current rule stage.

Pre-Rule Stage: Early Conversations That Could Shape the Next Decade

These items are still in exploratory phases, but they signal where FMCSA’s long-term priorities are headed.

New Entrant Safety Assurance Process

FMCSA is revisiting how it evaluates new carriers before granting operating authority. One concept under consideration is a proficiency exam to verify a carrier’s understanding of federal safety regulations upfront.

If implemented, this could significantly change how new authorities are issued—and raise the compliance bar for startups. Movement is expected by May 2026.

Entry-Level Driver Training & Harassment Protections

FMCSA is also preparing to gather feedback on how to address sexual harassment and safety risks, particularly for female drivers and trainees. This could lead to updates in:

• Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) standards
• Carrier responsibilities for workplace safety and reporting

An Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) is projected for May 2026.

Proposed Rule Stage: Near-Term Changes With Operational Impact

These are the rules fleets should be actively tracking in 2026.

Autonomous Truck Regulations (ADS-Equipped CMVs)

By May 2026, FMCSA expects to propose a rule addressing inspection, repair, and maintenance standards for automated driving systems.

This rule could become one of the most transformative trucking regulations of the decade—setting the groundwork for how autonomous trucks coexist with traditional fleets.

Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse Enhancements

FMCSA plans to expand the availability and usability of Clearinghouse violation data. For carriers, this likely means:

• Increased visibility into driver histories
• Less room for non-compliant drivers to slip through the cracks
• More pressure on hiring and retention processes

Proposed changes are expected by May 2026.

Related: What DOT Drug Testing Changes Are Coming in 2026 — And How DERs Can Prepare Now

ELD Rule Revisions

After years of industry feedback, FMCSA is preparing revisions to clarify technical specifications, certification requirements, and compliance expectations for electronic logging devices.

An NPRM is currently targeted for May 2026, signaling continued modernization rather than elimination of the ELD mandate.

Driver Medical Qualification Updates (Seizure Standard)

FMCSA plans to revise its seizure and epilepsy standards, allowing more drivers to qualify—provided they meet strict medical documentation and monitoring requirements.

This update could help address driver shortages while maintaining safety safeguards.

Cargo Securement Harmonization With Canada

Cross-border carriers may finally see relief from conflicting requirements as FMCSA works to align U.S. cargo securement rules with Canadian standards. The proposal is expected by May 2026.

Broker Transparency & URS Modernization

Building on prior efforts, FMCSA continues to move forward with Unified Registration System (URS) updates, aiming to improve:

• Broker transparency
• Registration predictability
• Oversight consistency

Final Rule Stage: Changes Fleets Must Prepare For Now

Several finalized or near-final rules will take effect heading into 2026.

Railroad Crossing Rule Changes

Expected by the end of 2025, this rule replaces mandatory stops at grade crossings for certain hazmat and passenger vehicles with a “due caution” standard.

Paperwork Reductions and Digital Clarifications

FMCSA is finalizing several common-sense updates, including:

• Removing the requirement to carry an ELD operator’s manual in the cab
• Confirming that DVIRs may be completed electronically
• Ending CDL self-reporting of violations thanks to electronic state data exchange

Vision Standards Update

Outdated grandfathering provisions will be removed, closing a long-standing loophole in vision qualification rules.

Agricultural HOS Clarifications

By 2026, FMCSA plans to finalize definitions for:

• Agricultural commodities
• Livestock
• Non-processed food

This will bring long-awaited clarity to ag haulers navigating hours-of-service exemptions.

CDL Testing Flexibility

States will gain flexibility to administer CDL knowledge and skills tests across state lines and earlier in the licensing process, helping reduce testing bottlenecks and training delays.

What This Means for Carriers in 2026

The regulatory outlook for 2026 is a mixed but manageable bag:

What fleets gain

• Relief from outdated and redundant rules
• Reduced paperwork and administrative burden
• Greater clarity around digital compliance

What fleets must adapt to

• Increased transparency through Clearinghouse and URS updates
• Continued investment in technology and data accuracy
• More structured expectations around safety culture and training

While FMCSA has historically missed some projected timelines, these rules represent the agency’s long-term direction, not short-term noise.

Preparing Now Is the Competitive Advantage

Fleets that treat 2026 as a planning year, not a waiting year, will be best positioned to stay compliant, control costs, and avoid disruption.

That means:

• Reviewing compliance programs now
• Updating hiring and HR policies
• Evaluating technology readiness
• Training safety teams on what’s coming next

CNS helps fleets stay ahead of regulatory change, not react to it. From compliance reviews and driver qualification support to DOT audits and Clearinghouse management, we help carriers of all sizes navigate FMCSA’s evolving rules with confidence.

For more information, contact us at 888.260.9448 or info@cnsprotects.com.