APRIL 11, 2017 – As the deadline for the ELD mandate approaches, it’s important that all motor carriers know whether they’ll need an ELD so they can start planning accordingly. If you currently fill out paper logs, you will most likely need an ELD in your vehicle by the December 17, 2017 deadline. And if you do need an ELD, you won’t want to put off getting one. Although the FMCSA hasn’t announced definitive information on penalties for non-compliance, they did propose fines of $11,000 per occurrence for those caught without an ELD.
Keep in mind that there are certain factors which excuse motor carriers from the new ELD law. Keep reading to find out more about the exemptions, and whether you qualify.
Related: Find Out if You Need an ELD With the Foley ELD Wizard
Exemption #1: The model year of your truck is 1999 or older
The FMCSA will use a truck’s model year (not the date it was manufactured) to decide whether an ELD is required in that vehicle. If your model year is 2000 or newer, you’ll need an ELD if you don’t meet any of the other exemption criteria. If there are any doubts, you can easily find your truck’s model year by looking up its Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
Exemption #2: You Never Keep Logs for More Than 8 Out of Every 30 Days
Drivers who keep paper logs for no more than 8 days during a consecutive 30-day period are exempt from the ELD requirement.
Exemption #3: You’re a driveaway-towaway operator
If you work as a driveaway-towaway operator, you are not required to purchase an ELD. This exemption applies in cases when the vehicle driven is part of a shipment being delivered, such as a vehicle manufacturer delivering vehicles to a dealership.
Related: Getting Started with an ELD
Exemption #4: You Aren’t Currently Required to Keep Paper Logs
The ELD mandate only applies to carriers who are required to follow the FMCSA’s hours of service regulations. If your vehicle doesn’t qualify as a CMV, or you qualify for one of the general hours of service exemptions (such as the 100/150 air mile radius rule) and you don’t already maintain RODS, you will not be required to use an ELD.
If you’re not sure whether your vehicle qualifies as a CMV, you can find out here.
Keep in mind…there are other exemptions available that may apply to you. If you have questions about your ELD requirements, or would like to speak to someone about our low-cost ELD solution, please give us a call at (860) 815-0869. For as little as $20, we’ll get you set up with everything you’ll need to get compliant.
Still Not Sure Whether You Need an ELD?
Our easy to use ELD Wizard will help you determine whether you’ll be required to have an ELD by the December deadline. Simply answer a few questions about your business and we’ll provide you with an instant assessment of your compliance requirements, along with some suggested next steps.
Is it true that you do not need an ELD if you Combined Gross Weight Rating is less than 26,001 lbs?
Hi Todd, If you drive a truck with a GVWR/GCWR of 10,001 lbs or more and are involved in interstate commerce, you must comply with the federal hours of service regulations – which would include the ELD mandate. If you’re not otherwise exempt by one of the reasons listed in this article, you would need an ELD. If you have additional questions, or would like to discuss your specific needs with a compliance consultant, please contact us at (860) 815-0869.
I currently have a 2004 truck with a 1998 motor will i be rewuired seeing how computer is a 1998
Hi Gary, Yes, you’ll be required to get an ELD unless you qualify for another exemption. The FMCSA has been pretty specific that they intend to use model year only to determine eligibility for this exemption.
How long will it be before they change the exception of 99 or older?
Hi Greg, There hasn’t been any indication that it will change. The reason is due to concerns over whether the devices will work in all older vehicles.
Hi Christa, ive heard rumors that the mandate will be delayed for 2 years, also that there will be a livestock hauler exemption. Any truth to these rumors?
Hi Steve, There hasn’t been any indication that the mandate will be delayed. The American Cattle Transporters Advisory Group is pursuing an exemption for livestock haulers, but as it stands now, they will need an ELD when the mandate takes affect in December.
What if I run in side the 100/150 for 99% of the time and every once in a while I go outside of that?
Hi Chad, As long as you were only going outside of that fewer than 9 days in any 30 day period, you can continue keeping paper logs. That would qualify you for exemption #2 above.
I use the Keep Truckin log app on my cell phone. Does this qualify as an AOBRD For the 2 year extension grace period.
Hi Bernard, No the app alone won’t satisfy the ELD (or AOBRD) requirement. You’ll need the device that works along with the application to drive compliantly. We have a partnership with KeepTruckin that will provide you with the hardware to go along with your app for as low as $20 a month. If you’d like to talk to someone at Foley about your compliance requirements, please contact us at (860) 815-0869 and a compliance consultant will be happy to assist you.
So they mandate on e-logs then charge us a monthly bill of $20 this goes to show us truckers it not for safety its all about the money that FMCSA wants to pay there employees there broke you add $20 * a million trucks on the road that = $240,000,000 a year WOW !!!!!! $20 * 12 months = $240 per truck $240 a year * 1,000,000 trucks = $240,000,000 dollars a year from the whole world in the USA … Now you getting rich sure is not working man i think if they mandate the e-logs FMCSA needs to pay out there pocket to put in our trucks to make safety thing and us truckers need to stop for 3 day and say we are not going any where and let the world starve let the national gruard run the freight
Even if you operate one or two trucks long distance, do you still need to have the ELD in your vehicles?
Hi Bryant, Yes, carriers who operate one or two trucks do need to comply unless they meet the exemption criteria above.
My fleet has been operating on Big Road fully since January 1st 2017. Except for my local trucks who are within 100 mile radius. Which those trucks are exempt, however since the rest of my regional trucks have already been on Big Road ELD since then, do we qualify for the extension before we have to hook it to the ECM?
Hi Travis, The ELD requirement is for drivers – not individual trucks. With that in mind, only drivers who stay within the 100 air mile radius, or meet the other exemption criteria, can operate without an ELD. All other drivers must have one before the December deadline.
If you need additional assistance, please reach out at (860) 815-0869 and we’ll be happy to provide additional clarification.
Any truth to a rumor of insurance co raising insurance rates on the 1999 and older trucks
Hi Chas, we ran this question by our insurance partner and received the following response, “There are several companies who will either decline insuring a vehicle of a certain age, or who will uprate the policy to accommodate for that. Analytics say that claims are more expensive on the physical damage of the units, and liability claims are more likely to occur with older units as well.”
So, if I have an older truck and have no desire for purchase a new and so called dependable truck I have to pay more for insurance even though my truck still running and “dependable ” sits in shops all the time. This is just a pure discrimination, the way I see it.
Good afternoon, for those that run Hot Shots (dually with a gooseneck car or flatbed trailers) are we require to be in compliance. Thank you
Hi Cano, If you currently have to keep paper logs, then you’ll need an ELD unless you meet one of the exemptions outlined above. Here’s a link to our ELD Wizard – it will give you a clear picture of your ELD requirement in just a few minutes: https://www.foleyservices.com/eld-wizard/
I have driven over 500,000 miles in the last 49 years. I used an eld for 1 year & found it to be the most dangerous thing ever in the trucking ind. Our people in government dont have a clue what it takes to deliver freight from A to B. They are going to kill a lot of innocent people with their goffey ideas.
Ron McKinney
Hi Christa what the exception # 2 mean..
I have dedicated runs and I going out only 3 days twice a week, this rule apply to my fleet..
Hi Cano, If you are driving less than 9 out of 30 days, then the exemption would apply. It’s important to remember, however, that once you’re on the road for more than that – even if it’s occasionally – you will need to have an ELD to stay compliant.
Thank you
I have never talked to a driver that liked an eld. ELD is very dangerous . You cannot stop to eat, sleep, or use a restroom when you need to because the clock keeps ticking. Forces you to drive when you do not want to , road conditions, loading delays. The ones making the rules should get in a truck to see how it works. Most everything bought in any store is delivered by a truck. I agree all truckers should go on a 3 day vacation, see how that works for the law makers .
I work for two companies. One of which stays in the 100/150 mile radius. One that does not. Does this require the otherwise exempt company to put the equipment in their trucks? I do have over 8 days of logs in a month, however they are in one specific time frame; Not spread out. The rest of the month I am able to keep a time card for the 100/150 company. Thanks in advance for your help.
Hi Jamie, Based on the information you provided, you would need an ELD. The exemption only applies when logs are kept for 8 days or fewer out of a 30-day period…regardless of when they occur during that time.
What if you only run intrastate?
Hi Fred, If you’re an intrastate carrier, you’ll need to follow the regulations that are specific to your state. Last week Texas was the first state to announce that they’ll require ELD’s for intrastate carriers –
a regulation that will take affect in 2019. Although no other states have followed suit yet, industry experts believe that most (if not all) will at some point. The reason, is because federal law requires the states to adopt laws for intrastate drivers that are compatible with federal regulations.
Well in my solution it would be wise of all truckers to flat out shut down over this bull. I know alot of drivers that run eld,s now and there ready to quit driving over the whole thing. From the time you start your clock it is impossible to relax and drive your under pressure from the dispatch the shipper the receivers and road conditions, weather,accidents and plan out stupid drivers on the roads. This is just another way to put money in fmcsa,s pocket and I think is just wrong……
I’ve been trying to apply for the split sleeper berth study. Haven’t been able to as of yet. Is it unavailable? Or full?
Hi John, I’ve been keeping an eye on this as well. The website was live, and they appeared to be accepting applications in early June, but the site has since been password protected with no additional information available.
If my truck is a 9-ton Dodge and I am contracted through a third party that hauls travel trailers from the factory to the dealership am I responsible for obtaining an ELD? I keep driving logs now but I’m not sure because my truck is heavier than 11,000 pounds so I don’t know if it qualifies.
Hi Madison, If you’re keeping logs because you’re required to do so, then chances are you’ll need an ELD, as well. There are only a few exemptions to this rule, which you’ll find here: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/faq/what-exceptions-are-allowed-electronic-logging-device-rule