After years of much debate, the federal government mandated law of electronic logging devices goes into effect today, December 18, 2017. The law requires carriers to record drivers’ hours of service (HOS) electronically, rather than in paper logbooks. Proponents of the mandate say that the number one reason for the law is to make the trucking industry safer. Drivers that currently have been using Automatic Onboard Recording Devices (AOBRDs) have until December 16, 2019 to replace them with ELDs. If trucks that use paper logbooks operate without ELDs, law enforcement can place the vehicles out of service after April 1, 2018. Who is exempt? (1) Shorthaul drivers that run under a 100 mile radius. (2) Drivers that run no more than 8 days in a 30 day period. (3) Trucks with engines manufactured before 2000. (4) Drivers of trucks rented for less than 8 days.( 5) Drivers where the truck being driven is the commodity being delivered.
