FMCSA releases rule on electronic logging devices

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) released a final rule mandating electronic logging devices (ELDs) in commercial motor vehicles that are currently required to prepare hours-of-service records of duty status reports.

According to the National Propane Gas Association’s newsletter, NPGA Reports, the new regulation provides four exemptions, including one for commercial motor vehicles manufactured before 2000. Aside from the exemptions, motor carriers must comply with the new ELD requirement by Dec. 18, 2017. Until then, motor carriers may use manual records; automatic on-board recording devices; or ELDs that conform to the new specifications. Commercial motor vehicles already installed with on-board recording devices can continue to use those devices until Dec. 16, 2019.

In addition to requiring ELDs, the new regulation requires records of duty status and supporting documents retained for each driver for no less than a six-month period to correct any failure in the ELDs.