DOT issues 90-day electronic logging device waiver for agriculture commodities
Included is a 90-day temporary waiver from the ELD requirement for transporters of agricultural commodities, formal guidance specifically pertaining to the existing Hours-of-Service exemption for the agricultural industry, and guidance on the “personal conveyance” provision.
FMCSA will also provide guidance on the existing 150 air miles hours-of-service exemption in order to provide clarity to enforcement and industry. The guidance is designed to allow industry to maximize the use of this statutory exemption. The agency will consider comments received before publishing final guidance.
Formal publication of the guidance via the Federal Register is expected within the next two weeks, and will include a public comment process.
For more information on ELDs please visit: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/hours-service/elds/electronic-logging-devices
Drovers CattleNetwork provided the memo released by FMCSA.
NCBA on 90-Day ELD Waiver: “Very Good News for Cattle and Beef Producers”
Craig Uden, president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, released the following statement in response to the FMCSA’s announcement that it is issuing a 90-day waiver on the use of Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) for livestock haulers:
“This is very good news for cattle and beef producers, and it’s a sign that the administration is listening to the concerns that we have been raising. We’ve maintained for a long time that FMSCA is not prepared for this ELD rollout, that there needs to be more outreach from the Department of Transportation to the agricultural community, and that there’s currently still major confusion on the agricultural exemption on Hours of Service known as the 150 air-mile rule.
“This rule would certainly be helpful to our cattle haulers across the country. We want to thank Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao for listening to our concerns, and we’ll continue to work with her and FMCSA to make sure that our cattle are delivered safely, and that our drivers and others on the road are safe as well.”