Deadline Passes for ELDs, No Enforcement Delays Seen

(January 9, 2018) — The compliance deadline for installing electronic logging devices (ELDs) was Dec. 18, 2017, and although the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) has received questions about a rumored delay to the compliance deadline, no guidance has been published by the Trump administration or the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to that effect.

NPGA cautions against false claims the administration or FMCSA intend to publish guidance to local law enforcement recommending that while citations could be issued for failure to install and utilize ELDs by Dec. 18, fines associated with citations will be postponed until April 2018.

ELDs connect with a commercial motor vehicle engine to automatically record driving time to ensure adherence to hours-of-service (HOS) regulations. ELDs do not change or alter HOS regulations or driving time limits. The devices are required for all commercial motor vehicles, but there are several exemptions.

ELDs are not required for short-haul operations with drivers operating within a 100 air-mile radius of their normal work reporting locations and where the driver returns daily within 12 consecutive hours. Drive away-tow away operations are exempted provided that the vehicle driven is part of the shipment. Commercial motor vehicles older than model year 2000 and drivers who use paper record of duty forms for not more than eight days during any 30-day period also are exempted.

(SOURCE: The Weekly Propane Newsletter, January 8, 2018)