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.