Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Electronic Log Book Requirement Deadline Approaching
November 27, 2017 by Admin | 
Beginning December 16, 2017, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will require that all CDL drivers currently using written log books to record hours of service must switch to an approved electronic logging device (ELD). The ELD rule was authorized by Congress as part of the 2012 transportation authorization and funding law known as MAP-21.
There are two exemptions available under the final rule applicable to drivers hauling petroleum products. The first exemption is commonly referred to as the short haul exemption. Drivers who use the short haul exemption are operating within the 100 air-mile radius exemption from keeping written log books. To qualify for the short haul exemption, the drivers must meet all the following requirements:
- Start and return to the same location within 12 hours of going on duty.
- Drive no more than 11 hours during a shift.
- Take ten consecutive hours off between shifts, and
- Not travel beyond the 100 air-mile radius from the driver’s starting location.
The short haul exemption provides additional flexibility for drivers who occasionally drive beyond the 100 air-mile radius. The rule allows a short haul driver to travel beyond the 100 air-mile radius for 8 days within a 30-day period. However, the driver is required to keep a written hours of service log for each day that the driver travels beyond the 100 air-mile radius.
The second exemption available to petroleum marketers is a model year exemption. Drivers of vehicles with engines manufactured before model year 2000 are not required to use an ELD. The model year of the engine must be used to meet this exemption and not the Vehicle Identification Number. The 2000 model year cut off was put into place because most vehicles manufactured prior to 2000 do not have an engine control module (ECM), which is required for ELD operation.
FMCSA has made the following guidance documents available to assist carriers and drivers:
ELD Frequently Asked Questions
