From our President, Jackie Polk, CTP:

Our Clean Desk Award for February goes to Julie Small. Julie does a great job managing the incoming and outgoing mail, along with the data entry of trips, logs, and fuel, all while keeping her workspace consistently organized and neat. Because her desk is visible from the lobby it reflects positively on our entire organization. In addition, Julie regularly fills in at the front desk, which requires her to stay organized, mobile, and ready to assist at a moment’s notice. Her ability to keep both work areas orderly and presentable for public view is truly appreciated and well deserving of the Clean Desk Award.

ELD Tampering

ELD Tampering Now an Out-of-Service Violation: What Carriers Need to Know

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has introduced a significant enforcement change that motor carriers and drivers should understand before the next roadside inspection. Beginning with the 2026 North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria, inspectors now have authority to place a driver out of service when an Electronic Logging Device (ELD) has been tampered with or falsified.
For years, falsified logs were cited violations — but not always an immediate shutdown event. That has now changed.

What Counts as ELD Tampering
CVSA’s inspection guidance clarifies that enforcement is no longer limited to obvious device removal. Inspectors are trained to look for any action that defeats the intent of the hours-of-service recording requirement, including situations where the record of duty status no longer reflects the driver’s actual activities.
This may include:
• Using another driver’s login credentials
• Disconnecting the device to prevent recording
• Editing records to conceal driving time
• Running while the ELD is in an unassigned or unidentified status
• Operating in a manner inconsistent with supporting documents
If an officer determines the log does not accurately represent driving activity, the driver can now be placed Out of Service immediately until compliance is restored.

Why CVSA Made the Change
The goal is consistency with the original intent of the ELD mandate — preventing fatigue-related crashes by ensuring accurate Hours-of-Service records.
Historically, enforcement focused on hours violations after the fact. CVSA’s updated criteria shifts enforcement toward preventing manipulation itself, not just penalizing the result.
In other words:
The violation is no longer just exceeding hours — it’s compromising the integrity of the safety system.

What Happens During an Inspection
Under the updated criteria, once tampering is confirmed:
• The driver is placed out of service
• The vehicle cannot move until legal status is restored
• Carrier safety scores may be impacted
• Supporting documentation may be reviewed more closely
Inspectors are specifically trained to compare ELD data against fuel receipts, dispatch records, GPS movement, and trip documents to identify inconsistencies.

Why This Matters for Carriers
This change moves compliance responsibility beyond the driver alone. It places operational accountability on the carrier’s safety management controls.
Carriers should now ensure:
• Drivers understand editing rules vs falsification
• Supervisors are not encouraging improper log corrections
• Back-office staff review unassigned drive time
• ELD audit procedures are documented and routine
A single tampering finding can quickly escalate into a broader compliance investigation — especially if patterns appear during a safety review.

Practical Takeaway
The industry has moved from: “Are the hours legal?” to “Is the record trustworthy?”.  That distinction is critical. A driver who technically stayed within hours but manipulated the log can still be shut down roadside.

How Lee Trans Can Help
This is exactly where proactive compliance matters most. Regular log auditing, driver coaching, and written policies help demonstrate intent to comply — not just react after a violation.
Lee Trans supports carriers through:
• Hours-of-Service auditing programs
• Safety policy development
• Driver training
• Mock DOT audits to identify exposure before enforcement does
Understanding the rules is important.
Proving your safety system works is what keeps trucks moving.
Learn more about compliance support at leetrans.com.

This week our team is headed to San Antonio! From our Vehicle Services Supervisor; Lanell Davis: “Our team looks forward to the IRP Audit Workshop annually to stay informed on regulatory updates, industry changes and compliance requirements. Our goal is to ensure we continue providing accurate, up-to-date support for our partners.”

Questions on IRP or IFTA?  Contact sales@leetrans.com to learn more!

Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras

Wishing everyone a fun and safe day of celebration, filled with joy, music and laughter. Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Presidents Day

Today we honor our United States’ Presidents; those individuals who have shaped the great American dream, who’ve championed change and built legacies for next generations.

Valentine’s Day

Happy Valentine’s Day! From all of us at Lee Trans, we hope you have a day filled with love, generosity and kindness.

CA EPA Update

Industry Update: California Clean Truck Check

Carriers operating in or traveling through California should be aware of ongoing developments surrounding the state’s Clean Truck Heavy-Duty Inspection & Maintenance regulation. The EPA has issued a final disapproval preventing California from applying these requirements nationwide to out-of-state carriers; however, California continues enforcing the rule for in-state fleets and may still attempt enforcement actions involving interstate operators.

This creates a practical compliance challenge — carriers could still face citations or administrative issues and would need to contest them after the fact.

Lee Trans is assisting fleets with understanding applicability and completing the required registrations where appropriate. If your vehicles (14,001+ lbs., non-gasoline) operate in California, now is the time to review your exposure.

Learn more at www.leetrans.com.

NRII Update

Industry Update: NRII – Paper Medical Cards May Continue (Pending FMCSA Decision)

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has petitioned FMCSA to allow carriers and drivers to continue relying on a paper Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MEC) while all states complete implementation of the electronic Medical Certification Integration rule.

Although the electronic reporting requirement took effect June 23, 2025 — eliminating the routine use of paper cards — not every state’s licensing system is fully aligned yet. CVSA is requesting a one-year exemption that would permit drivers to use a paper MEC for up to 60 days after issuance as proof of medical certification.

Until FMCSA issues a final determination, carriers should continue monitoring driver qualification records closely and be prepared for both electronic verification and paper documentation scenarios depending on state readiness.

Lee Trans is tracking this development and assisting fleets with compliant Driver Qualification file management and verification processes.

You can learn more about the National Registry of Medical Examiners direct from FMCSA at https://nationalregistry.fmcsa.dot.gov/nriilearning-center,

For updates or information on how Lee Trans can support this Driver Qualification requirement, visit www.leetrans.com.

On the Road with Bethany Hobbs

We’re kicking off the year by spending time where it matters most—connecting with our industry partners and peers.

This quarter, you’ll find our Senior Business Development Representative; Bethany Hobbs, representing Lee Trans at the following events:

February 13th – Houston Council of Safety Professionals Luncheon
February 17th – Serving on the TXTA East Texas Chapter Steering Wheel Committee
March 7th – Hosting Junior League Touch-A-Truck Community Event
March 13th – Attending Houston Council of Safety Professionals Luncheon
March 25-27th – Attending TXTA SMC Spring Seminar

If you’ll be attending, or if you’d like to learn more about DOT compliance and how we support carriers nationwide, let’s connect.

#ontheroad

A Word From Eddie Prather

Our latest blog post is now available! This month’s message from our Director of Consulting & Training; Eddie Prather, shares his thoughts on building compliant programs for the new year and setting more than just intention – but putting those programs into action.

Training, Policies, and Building Stronger Operations in 2026

As we settle into the rhythm of a new year, February often becomes the month when plans turn into action. The transportation industry is already moving at full speed, and many organizations are looking closely at their training programs and policy structures to ensure they’re aligned with the year ahead. It’s a smart focus—strong training and clear policies are the backbone of safe, consistent, and confident operations.

In 2026, the importance of purposeful training couldn’t be clearer. Regulatory updates, evolving enforcement priorities, and rising expectations around documentation and safety practices mean that teams need more than basic instruction—they need clarity, consistency, and training that reflects real-world scenarios. Our goal is to help organizations replace confusion or guesswork with training that empowers their people and strengthens their operations from the inside out.

This year, we’re placing intentional emphasis on developing policies that actually work in practice. A well-crafted policy doesn’t just satisfy a requirement; it guides behavior, reinforces expectations, protects drivers, and creates alignment across departments. When paired with ongoing, accessible training, policies become a living part of daily operations—not a binder on a shelf.

I’m proud of the work our Consulting & Training team continues to deliver. Their depth of experience and commitment to practical solutions allows us to support carriers at every stage—whether you’re building a program from the ground up or refining long-standing processes to meet new demands. We believe that when training and policy development are approached with care and clarity, organizations become more resilient, more organized, and better prepared for whatever the year brings.

As we move through the first quarter, I encourage you to take a fresh look at your training calendar, your policies, and the areas where your team may benefit from more structure or support. Small improvements made early in the year often lead to the biggest long-term gains.

Thank you for trusting us to be a resource and a guide. We look forward to walking alongside you in 2026 as you strengthen your teams, elevate your expectations, and build a safer and more efficient operation.

Warm regards,Eddie Prather

Director, Consulting & Training