FMCSA Announces Final Rule on Electronic Logging Devices

December 22, 2015 - The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has adopted a final rule on the use of technology to strengthen commercial truck and bus drivers’ compliance with hours-of-service regulations that prevent fatigue, reports SC&RA.

 

The agency estimates this final rule requiring the use of electronic logging devices (ELD) will reduce the amount of required industry paperwork, and increase the efficiency of roadside law enforcement personnel in reviewing driver records. Strict protections are included in an effort to protect commercial drivers from harassment.  

 

An ELD automatically records driving time. It monitors engine hours, vehicle movement, miles driven, and location information. On an annual average basis, the ELD final rule is estimated to save 26 lives and prevent 562 injuries resulting from crashes involving large commercial motor vehicles, according to SC&RA.

 

The ELD Final Rule will require all commercial truck and bus drivers to adopt ELDs within two years; will provide procedural and technical provisions designed to prohibit commercial driver harassment; will set ELD technology specs; and will establish new hours-of-service supporting document requirements further reducing paperwork.

 

The ELD Final Rule also permits the use of smart phones and other wireless devices as ELDs listed by FMCSA.  Canadian- and Mexican-domiciled drivers will also be required to use ELDs when operating on U.S. roadways.