(Update August 1, 2018)
On Wednesday the Senate passed a bill that exempts livestock haulers from ELD compliance until September 2019. The current legislation has two months to finalize 2019 appropriation packages.
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A bill filed in the U.S. House of Representatives on May 23, 2018, may bring ELD exemption for small carriers. If passed, carriers with 10 or fewer trucks will be exempt from the Department of Transportation’s (DOT’s) electronic logging device mandate permanently. Here is what you need to know about the possible ELD exemption for small carriers.
You Need to Know About The Possible ELD Exemption for Small Carriers
The Small Carrier Electronic Logging Device Exemption Act of 2018 is sponsored by Representatives Collin Peterson (Dem-Minnesota) and Greg Glanforte (Rep-Montana). This is the first attempt to exempt small carriers and owner-operators from the ELD mandate specifically.
The Small Carrier Electronic Logging Device Exemption Act of 2018 would allow carriers with 10 or fewer trucks to use paper logs instead of the mandated electronic logging devices. For this piece of legislation to pass it will need to be approved by the House, Senate, and President Trump.
Representatives Collin Peterson and Greg Glanforte also introduced a bill that would exempt drivers hauling agricultural commodities from the ELD mandate. Livestock drivers have received an ELD exemption until the end of September but will need to comply after this date. Agricultural truckers have only until June 19th to switch from paper to an electronic logbook.
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) petitioned FMCSA in November to allow small business truckers to continue using paper logs until December 2022. However, the FMCSA has yet to issue a decision on the topic.
As this issue continues to develop, we will continue to deliver you the latest news and information in the trucking industry. Click here for additional blog content.