Electronic Logging Device Mandate to go into Effect in December 2017

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is giving truck operators two years to start using an electronic logging device (ELD).

The mandate not only impacts operators currently using paper logs, but also operators using other devices, such as an Automatic On-Board Recording Device (AOBRD) or an Electronic On-Board Recorder (EOBR).

Why is the FMCSA implementing the ELD mandate?

The primary reasons for the FMCSA implementing the ELD mandate is to reduce the likelihood of drivers being able to alter or falsify their logs and to prevent motor carriers from requiring drivers to operate beyond their hours-of-service limits.

 What is the difference between an ELD and other on-board logging devices?

The primary difference between the ELD and either the AOBRD or EOBR, is the ELD syncs with a truck’s engine in order to capture the following data:

• Date
• Time
• Location
• Engine hours
• Vehicle miles
• Driver, vehicle and motor carrier identification data

The good news for carriers who are already utilizing AOBRDs, is they will have two additional years to comply with the ELD mandate.  Their deadline to comply with the new mandate is December 16, 2019.

Although the mandate removes the retention of messy paper logs, drivers are still required to retain supporting documents such as fuel receipts, bills of lading, dispatch records and other expense receipts.

Are there any exemptions to the mandate?

Operators who fall into the following categories are exempt from the mandate:

• Drivers who are not required to maintain a log because they fall into the 100/150 air-mile radius log exemption. However, they still need to keep time records.
• Drivers who keep logs for no more than 8 days during any 30-day period.
• Driveaway-towaway operators transporting empty vehicles.
• Drivers of vehicles manufactured prior to the year 2000.

Source: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/faq/what-exceptions-are-allowed-electronic-logging-device-rule

Stay tuned for next week’s blog which will be focused on how the ELD mandate relates to driver harassment or coercion.

Questions or concerns? Leave them in the comments section below!