Hundreds of public comments reveal industry frustration over rules deemed ineffective and harmful.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) received nearly 300 public comments after opening a call to review existing transportation regulations, as part of an executive order issued by the Trump Administration. The order mandates that for every new regulation proposed, at least ten existing ones must be eliminated, as part of a broader effort to reduce government bureaucracy.
The response was swift and forceful, especially from the trucking community. Just days after the notice was published in the Federal Register on April 3, more than a hundred drivers had already voiced their disagreement with several regulations they consider excessive, unnecessary, or even dangerous.
Among the topics that drew the most reactions were:
- Hours-of-service rules
- Mandatory use of Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs)
- Proposed regulations on speed limiters
- Transparency of freight brokers
- Health requirements to obtain licenses
- Citizenship and English language proficiency requirements for obtaining a CDL

Voices from behind the wheel
The comments reflect deep frustration among drivers, who argue that many of these regulations do not improve safety but do complicate their daily work. One of the most criticized topics was the DOT’s medical certification system. One trucker wrote:
“The DOT physical system is useless and abusive… The best way to reduce accidents is to require drivers to have health accident insurance. […] The FMCSA is nothing more than duplication and a costly waste.”
Regarding hours-of-service rules, another driver stated:
“I get enough rest by following the other three rules, without overworking. The 70-hour rule is unnecessary.”
The proposed speed limiter regulation also drew strong reactions:
“In California, trucks are still stuck at 55 mph while cars drive like the speed limit is optional.”
There was also criticism of the mandatory use of ELDs and concerns over language requirements and license access:
“The ELD forces drivers to drive when they’re tired and try to sleep when they’re not. It creates a dangerous environment on the road.”
“It’s pathetic that a CDL is allowed for drivers who can’t speak English. It’s dangerous and has caused accidents.”
The lack of transparency in the freight brokerage system was also called out:
“We need to do something about the big corporate companies and brokers that are killing small businesses.”

What will the USDOT do?
The USDOT must review and analyze each comment received before making decisions about which regulations to modify or eliminate. In the meantime, the debate over how to balance safety, efficiency, and flexibility in road transportation remains open—and more active than ever.
Comments can be submitted until May 5 by visiting the DOT’s website at regulations.gov and entering docket number DOT-OST-2025-0026-0001.

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