Small business ELD exemption ‘not likely’, analysts say

BLOOMINGTON, IN – The rollout of mandated Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) continues in the U.S. And while some trucking operations have secured temporary waivers, analysts at FTR Intel believe a bid to exempt small carriers outright is unlikely to succeed. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) has asked regulators to exempt small businesses making less than US $27.5 million in revenue, that don’t have an unsatisfactory safety rating, and have a safe record with no attributable at-fault crashes. It would last five years. An exemption like that – already rejected during the regulatory review process – would essentially gut the mandate for ELDs, and has been opposed by the American Trucking Associations and safety advocacy groups. Eighty-one percent of over-the-road trucking companies, and 93% of one-truck operators among them, have had no DOT-recordable crashes in the past two years, FTR notes.

Executive Enforcer: In conversation with CVSA’s Collin Mooney

GREENBELT, Md. -- The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has an international focus, finding common ground for roadside inspection practices across North America. But these days the alliance also has a decidedly Canadian face in Collin Mooney. Today’s Trucking caught up with Mooney to discuss ...

Fleet makes case for hourly pay

JEAN-SUR-RICHELIEU, Que. -- CH Express drivers were not alone in worries that a U.S. mandate for Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) might affect how much they could make. But ­managers at the flatbed fleet have responded in a bold way – by paying the long-haul drivers by the hour rather than distances.

U.S. rentals get 90-day ELD waiver

WASHINGTON, DC – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued short-term rental trucks a 90-day waiver from mandated Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs), lasting until April 19. Trucks rented for 30 days or less will be able to use paper logbooks to record Hours of Service until the waiver expires. Carriers cannot simply replace one rental vehicle with another one within the 30 days, and must also have a satisfactory safety rating. They also need to report any collisions involving these vehicles within five business days. The Truck Renting and Leasing Association had known since December that a waiver was forthcoming, and is telling affected truck operators to print out the notice and carry it in the cab during the waiver period. Once this waiver expires, those who rent trucks for eight days or less will continue to be exempted from the ELD mandate.

ELD Day for Canada

BRAMPTON, ON -- It ultimately proved to be just a matter of time. On December 18, the same day that the U.S. mandated Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) to track Hours of Service, Canada’s Transport Minister Marc Garneau took to the podium to unveil plans to introduce similar rules on this side of the border.

Canada unveils plans to mandate ELDs, mirror U.S.

BRAMPTON, ON - Canada's federal government has unveiled plans to mandate Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) in trucks, largely echoing rules that officially take hold today in the U.S. Draft versions of the rules have been published in Canada Gazette Part 1, and once finalized are to roll out within two years.

ATA applauds Electronic Logging Device mandate

ARLINGTON, VA - The American Trucking Associations is applauding the arrival of mandated Electronic Logging Devices in the U.S. "Electronic Logging Devices have been legislated, promulgated and litigated - with Congress voting three times in the past five years in favor of this requirement and a federal court rejecting a challenge to the rule. The time has finally come to retire decades-old, burdensome paper logs that consume countless hours and are susceptible to fraud and put the safety of all motorists first. The benefits of this rule exceed the costs by more than $1 billion, making it a rule the ATA can firmly support and easily adopt," said Chris Spear, the associations' president and Chief Executive Officer.

ELD waiver for short-term U.S. rentals

WASHINGTON, DC -- A 90-day waiver from the Electronic Logging Device mandate will soon be issued for carriers operating short-term rental trucks (defined as 30 days or less) by the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Half unprepared for ELD mandate: Survey

PHOENIX, AZ - With only a week to go before Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) are mandated in the U.S., a new survey is showing that almost half of the affected truckers are unprepared.

Adding ELDs make for happier drivers: Omnitracs panel

TORONTO, ON - Investing in new technologies, including Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs), is the key to creating safe, efficient companies that attract both customers and new drivers, speakers at an Omnitracs panel said last week.

OOIDA wants ELD exemption for small businesses

GRAIN VALLEY, MO - With less than a month before the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) mandate comes into effect in the United States the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) has submitted an exemption request for small business carriers. OOIDA has requested at least a five-year exemption for motor carriers classified as small businesses according to the Small Business Administration in the Untied States, and with no attributable at-fault crashes or a Carrier Safety Rating of Unsatisfactory. Todd Spencer, executive vice president of the OOIDA says small-business truckers who have proven their ability to operate safely shouldn't be subjected to the regulation, citing cost as a barrier to obtaining the devices. Spencer also cited self-certification by vendors of the devices as one of the biggest issues brought up by the group, calling the devices unproven and uncertified. "Most small-business motor carriers can ill afford to make these purchases only to learn later that the ELD is non-compliant. Yet they are required to do so or risk violation," said Spencer.

Penske rolls out ELD compliant app for rental trucks

READING, PA - With less than a month to go before the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) mandate takes effect in the United States, Penske Truck Leasing has released a new application (app) for its commercial rental customers to help them be compliant when on the road.

ELD violations won’t mean CSA points

TORONTO, ON - Carriers that operate across the border don't have to fear for their Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) scores if they are not compliant with the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) mandate before the Dec. 18 deadline. Federal Officials in the United States are confirming that drivers who are cited roadside for non-compliance before April 1, 2018 will be issued a "no points cite" which won't affect the driver or carrier in the CSA system, reports Heavy Duty Trucking.

Volvo trucks ready for ELD mandate

GREENSBORO, NC - Volvo has confirmed that its equipment is ready to support Electronic Logging Devices that are mandated in the U.S. as of December 18.

Driver shortage top issue in ATRI survey

ORLANDO, FL - The driver shortage has been ranked as the top issue in trucking based on the American Transportation Research Institute's (ATRI's) annual industry survey.