Photo: Neil Abt/Fleet Owner
Fleetowner 37520 Eld2019 2 2
Fleetowner 37520 Eld2019 2 2
Fleetowner 37520 Eld2019 2 2
Fleetowner 37520 Eld2019 2 2
Fleetowner 37520 Eld2019 2 2

Federal spending bill, FMCSA action extend ELD exemptions

Feb. 17, 2019
The spending bill contained a measure allowing drivers commercial drivers hauling livestock and insects to avoid using an ELD through Sept. 30.

The federal spending bill signed into law by President Trump on Feb. 15 contained a measure that allows commercial drivers hauling livestock and insects to avoid using electronic logging devices (ELDs) through Sept. 30.

These drivers were already exempt from complying with the ELD mandate in order to ensure the animals they are hauling have access to food, water, and proper temperatures through greater hours-of-service flexibility.

Currently, the Department of Transportation is considering additional action regarding livestock haulers’ use of ELDs.

Separately, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced it has granted an exemption from the ELD mandate requested by the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA).

The group requested the exemption for APA member companies during the Independence Day season. The agency said in a Federal Register notice these companies will continue to use paper records of  in lieu of an ELD from June 28 through July 8 this year and in 2020.

“FMCSA has determined that the terms and conditions of the exemption ensure a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety achieved without the exemptions,” the agency said the its notice.

The agency added all of the carriers involved "satisfactory" safety ratings based on compliance reviews, and are not subject to any ‘‘imminent hazard’’ or other out-of-service orders.

APA was granted a similar exemption for the Independence Day holiday last year.

About the Author

Neil Abt

Neil Abt, editorial director at Fleet Owner, is a veteran journalist with over 20 years of reporting experience, including 15 years spent covering the trucking industry. A graduate of American University in Washington, D.C., he began his career covering sports for The Washington Post newspaper, followed by a position in the newsroom of America Online (AOL) and then both reporting and leadership roles at Transport Topics. Abt is based out of Portland, Oregon.

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