What You Need to Know About The ELD Exemptions

| March 27, 2018

| eld exemptions, ELD Mandate, eld mandate exemptions, ELDs, electronic driver logs, electronic logging devices, electronic logs, electronic logs mandate exemptions, elogbook

FMCSA Director Hears ELD Concerns at MATS

Trucking community concerned about the ELD mandate and ELD exemptions

During the Mid-America Trucking Show, commonly known as MATS 2018, federal regulators faced off against a standing-room-only crowd of owner-operators and other trucking veterans from across the nation.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Director of Enforcement and Compliance, Joseph DeLorenzo, hosted a seminar during the first day of MATS; here is what happened and what you need to know about the ELD Exemptions.

ELD Exemptions & Growing Concerns

Since the Electronic Logging Devices Mandate (ELDs) back in December, there has been growing concern among the trucking community. From older truck exemptions to confusion over the agricultural exemption, this hour-long seminar covered more than just type of ELD compliance.

Older Truck Exemption

Joseph DeLorenzo appeared before a crowd of leading trucking veterans from across the nation. The first wave of questions centered around the older truck exemption to which DeLorenzo stated that all pre-2000 engines are exempt. And this ELD exemption applies to all pre-2000 engines whether it came with the vehicle or if it was a replacement.

However, this exemption does not apply if the pre-2000 engines are rebuilt to a certain extent and should be relabeled. If you undergo a roadside inspection, the officer will check the engine tag to determine if your truck iasds exempt.

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has issued guidance on this matter, according to DeLorenzo.

ELD AG Exemption

Is the transportation of all agricultural commodities exempt? This is a more difficult question that owner-operators and self-employed drivers put to DeLorenzo. To sum up his response, the federal definition is the rule of thumb regardless of the state definition of agriculture.

According to the federal government, ELD Ag exemption is considered the transportation of bees, livestock, unprocessed fruits, and vegetables. The exclusivity of the federal definition of agricultural commodities leaves several drivers concerned considering the ELD mandate.

Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Mandate

What should owner-operators and self-employed drivers know about ELD exemptions

Under the ELD exemption, you don’t have to comply with new regulations if you don’t exceed 150-miles more than eight times in a 30-day period. Once you extend past this, you have 11 hours of driving time and 14 hours of off-duty time.

The 90-day waiver for federally defined agricultural commodities pushes the pause button on the ELD mandate. If you are transporting agricultural commodities as defined by the federal government, you will be covered under the ELD AG Exemption no matter how many time you exceed the 150-mile distance.

ELD Deadline

As drivers, you should already be aware that the deadline for complying with the ELD mandate is April 1st. If you are found without an electronic logging device, you will be cited and most likely ticketed if you cannot prove exemption.

After the April 1st ELD deadline, you will be placed out-of-service for 10 hours and then allowed to complete your run. However, you are required to install an ELD immediately before your next route. If you are later found without an ELD, you will receive an out-of-service violation under the ELD mandate.

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