Home > Insurance Blog > It’s Official: The FMCSA Has Published Its Final ELD Rule, to General Acclaim
Call Us Today At (281) 550-5864
Call Us Today At (281) 550-5864
Written by: The Deerfield Team
Adopting electronic logging devices is no longer an option for most interstate CMV operations. On December 16, 2015, the Federal Register published the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s final rule on Electronic Logging Devices and Hours of Service Supporting Documents. Proposed in early 2014 and revealed on December 10th by the FMCSA, the rule requires model year 2000 and newer trucks involved in interstate travel to start using ELDs by December 2017.
After a similar 2010 ELD rule failed due to litigation concerning harassment and supporting documents, the FMCSA learned its lesson. It has taken steps to explicitly prohibit the coercion of drivers and even took on authority to enforce the rule against shippers, receivers, and transportation intermediaries—not just motor carriers. While the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association and Truck Renting and Leasing Association have raised concerns, responses to the 2015 Final Rule have largely been positive.
Most trucking organizations, lawmakers, and technology companies responded to the Final ELD Rule with praise and approval. Two family-owned trucking companies urge carriers to maximize the use of ELDs to minimize inefficiency and maximize profit.² On the other end of the spectrum, truck rental businesses expressed some concerns, while the OOIDA issued a full-on legal attack.³
Technology firm Omnitracs offers a webinar to help fleets understand ELDs. Zonar offers a path to ELD compliance, which includes knowledge and implementation strategies for your specific fleet. Two years is a generous amount of time to adopt ELD technology, but it’s never too early to understand and begin complying with the new final rule.
As always, we are here to help you any way we can. Please don’t hesitate to call or email if you need us.
The Deerfield Team
800.233.6428
References:
SOURCES:
“CTA: No Reason For Further Delay on Canadian ELD Rule.” Canadian Trucking Alliance, December 10, 2015. http://cantruck.ca/cta-no-reason-for–further-delay-on-canadian-eld-rule/
“Electronic Logging Devices and Hours of Service Supporting Documents.” FMCSA. https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/hours-service/elds/electronic-logging-devices–and-hours-service-supporting-documents
“Electronic Logging Devices and Hours of Service Supporting Documents.”Federal Register, March 28, 2014.https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/03/28/2014-05827 electronic-logging-devices-and-hours-of-service-supporting-documents
“OOIDA sues over ELD final rule.” FleetOwner.com, Dec 16, 2015. http://fleetowner.com/regulations/ooida-sues-over-eld-final-rule
Aaron Marsh, “Two fleets’ experience: ELDs and extras cut costs, boosted image.” FleetOwner.com, Oct 5, 2015. http://fleetowner.com/regulations/two-fleets-experience-elds-and-extras-cut-costs-boosted-image
Brian Straight, “FMCSA Unveils Final ELD Rule.” FleetOwner.com, Dec 10, 2015. http://fleetowner.com/regulations/fmcsa-unveils-final-eld-rule
Matt Cole, “Trucking groups weigh in on ELD mandate, major groups split on rule’s efficacy.” CCJ, Dec 14, 2015. http://www.ccjdigital.com/trucking-groups-weigh-in-on-eld-mandate-major-groups-split-on-efficacy/
DISCLAIMER
This article is intended only as a general discussion of these issues & we cannot guarantee the accuracy thereof. It does not purport to provide legal, accounting, or other professional advice. If such advice is needed, please consult with your attorney, accountant, or other qualified adviser. The Views expressed here do not constitute legal advice. The information contained herein is for general guidance of matter only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. Accordingly, the information provided herein is provided with the understanding that Deerfield Advisors is not engaged in rendering legal advice. Deerfield Advisors strongly advises that clients and/or the reader of this publication contact an attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem discussed here. Also, please know that discussions of insurance policy language is descriptive only. We strongly advise that one’s individual policy & one’s advisor be consulted regarding this subject matter before any action is taken in any way. Coverage afforded under any insurance policy issued is subject to individual policy terms and conditions. The Deerfield Advisor White Paper Series is a registered trademark of Deerfield Asset Management Inc. DBA, Deerfield Advisors and is produced by Deerfield Advisors for the benefit of its clients, and any other use is strictly prohibited. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2016