The FMCSA recently warned that the transition to mandatory electronic logging devices in the trucking industry may not be a smooth one.
At a recent conference in Dallas, Texas, the agency’s compliance chief, Joe DeLorenzo, said he expects the transition to be “messy” for drivers, regulators, and law enforcement officers.
The confusion is expected because there will be three time-keeping methods in use, at the same time:
The first method is paper logs.
Drivers have until Dec 17, 2017 to switch from paper logs to certified electronic logging devices (ELDs).
The second method is older non-certified electronic devices
The FMCSA classifies many of the older electronic logging devices as “automatic on-board recording devices,” or AORDs. These devices do not meet FMCSA’s standards and must be updated to the new, certified ELDs by Dec 17, 2019.
The third method is the new, certified ELD devices.
These devices are updated versions of the on-board recording devices, which are fully compliant with new ELD rules.
FMCSA’s DeLorenzo asked carriers to educate their drivers on the different systems in use, and to be patient with law enforcement officers as they also get adjusted to the changes.
“Enforcement officers at the side of the road are used to walking up to your drivers and saying, ‘Hand me your trip packet and your logs, driver’s license/medical, all your paperwork’ and going back and figuring out what the hours of service compliance was. This is all changing for them, too.” he said.
The FMCSA is working on a website in order to help drivers and officers check if a device is a certified ELD, versus an older, non-certified AORD.
Manufacturers of new ELDs will be able to register the devices on the website in order to certify that that they are up-to-date with current FMCSA rules.
Drivers who are looking to purchase a new ELD are strongly advised to wait until this website is live, in order to verify that the device is certified. Otherwise, they may be forced to purchase a new one in the future.
The website is expected to go live on February 16th.
