FMCSA On Track To Initiate E-Log Mandates
By Christine Kern, contributing writer
There are a number of projected rule changes by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for 2015, including the electronic logging device mandate, according to CCJDigital.
FMCSA CSO Jack Van Steenberg explains in an HDT Trucking Info article that the federal agency has a full agenda for 2015, including setting the rules for the use of electronic logging devices. In the article Steenberg says, “There is a lot to consider when it comes to the electronic logging devices. We want to get it right, and we want to get it right the first time.”
In October, FMCSA published a notice in the Federal Register on Oct. 28, 2014, announcing its plan to submit an Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for electronic logging device vendor registration according to Business Solutions Magazine. The notice states, “This ICR will be used to enable manufacturers of ELDs to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).” Information collected will be utilized in formatting the Final Rule mandating use of electronic logging devices, which is anticipated to be published September 30, 2015, with enforcement beginning in 2017.
ELD providers are asked to self-certify and register their devices that meet requirements with the FMCSA. According to the notice in the Federal Register, “The FMCSA will maintain a list on its website of the current ELD providers and devices that have been certified (by the providers) to meet the technical specifications. The information will be necessary for fleets and drivers to easily find a compliant ELD for their use in meeting the FMCSA regulation requiring the use of ELDs.”
Fleet Owner reports other regulatory updates include the publishing of a safety fitness determination rule this spring, the speed limiter mandate (which is a joint rule between FMCSA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) due to see action February 2, and the driver coercion prohibition final rule, due in September.
The HDT Truckinginfo article also reports other items on the agenda include the introduction of new investigative field tools such as software useful in conducting reviews dealing with compliance while operating off site.