New Year and a New ELD Rule

It was a long time coming for truck drivers across the U.S., but at the close of 2015, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) released a long-awaited Electronic Logging Device (ELD) rule. According to the FMCSA, the ELD rule is intended to help create a safer work environment for truck drivers. They also aim to make it easier and faster to accurately track, manage, and share records of duty status (RODS) data.

It is a very polarized topic of interest across the country. Some OTR drivers say they don’t need an ELD and others think it makes good sense. The switch to ELDs has been likened to switching to electronic time clocks from handwritten timecards in order to prevent payroll fraud.

There is an implementation timeline for the ELD rule. Phase one includes an Effective Date on February 16, 2016 and the Compliance Date of December 18, 2017. During this phase, drivers should prepare for the rule to take effect. Some may voluntarily comply right away. Until the February 16, 2016 date, drivers can still use paper logs or switch to logging software, automatic on board recording devices (AOBRDS), or any ELD registered and listed on the FMCSA website.

Phase two, or the Phased-In Compliance phase, begins the day after the Compliance Date, or on December 19, 2016 and ends on December 16, 2019. Truck drivers can use AOBRDS installed prior to December 18, 2017 or any certified, registered ELDs following rule publication December 16, 2015.

Phase three is the Full Compliance phase. Following December 16, 2019, all drivers are subject to the ELD rule and are required to use certified, registered ELDs that comply with the regulations listed online.

American Trucking Associations supports the ELD rule. The agency said they will look for ways to promote voluntary adoption of the mandate.

Sisbro stands behind our drivers and strives for safety, continued growth, and high standards.