WASHINGTON – In a move that’s shaking up the trucking world, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has given the boot to four Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs): CTE-LOG ELD, ELD VOLT, POWERTRUCKS ELD, and TFM ELD. These gadgets didn’t make the cut, failing to meet the minimum requirements set in FMCSA’s 49 CFR part 395, subpart B, appendix A. Effective July 23, 2024, these devices are officially off the team.
Action Steps for Motor Carriers
So, what’s a motor carrier to do? FMCSA is firing off emails faster than you can say “logbook” to spread the word. Here’s your game plan:
Ditch the Duds
Toss out those revoked ELDs and go old-school with paper logs or switch to logging software to keep track of your hours of service.
Upgrade Your Gear
By September 21, 2024, you need to replace the duds with compliant ELDs from FMCSA’s Registered Devices list.
You’ve got a 60-day window to make the switch. If the companies behind these now-banned ELDs get their act together and fix their issues, FMCSA might put them back on the list and send out another memo.
Compliance and Enforcement
Meanwhile, safety officials have been told to cut drivers some slack. Instead of writing up citations for “No record of duty status” or “Failing to use a registered ELD,” they’ll be checking paper logs, logging software, or using the ELD display as a backup.
But don’t get too comfy: Come September 21, 2024, anyone still using these banned ELDs will be treated like they’re running without an ELD at all. That means citations under 395.8(a)(1) and possibly being put out of service according to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) criteria.
FMCSA’s friendly tip? Don’t procrastinate. Get those compliant ELDs installed now to avoid a compliance nightmare if the banned ELDs don’t get fixed.
More Information
For more details on ELDs, hit up FMCSA’s ELD website.
Stay Compliant and Stay on the Road
Stay compliant, stay on the road, and remember: in the world of trucking, it’s all about staying one step ahead!
Sources:
- FMCSA official announcement on the removal of ELDs (FMCSA) (FMCSA ELD)
- Additional context and industry response from The Trucker (The Trucker