FMCSA (the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) today announced on Nov. 20 that in advance of the Dec. 18, 2017 execution of the Congressionally-mandated electronic logging device (ELD) rule, and to further facilitate a transition to the rule by motor carriers, the Agency will be providing guidance related to implementation procedures during the ELD transition.

These will embrace a 90-day temporary refusal 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 release in order to provide clarity to implementation and industry. The guidance is designed to allow the industry to maximize the use of this statutory exemption.  The Agency will consider comments received before publishing final guidance.

FMCSA and its enforcement partners are fully prepared for the Dec. 18, 2017 implementation. The forthcoming announcement represents the agency’s desire to implement the ELD rule in a manner that improves safety without impeding commerce.

Cathy F. Gautreaux FMCSA Deputy Administrator said: “FMCSA has listened to important feedback from many stakeholder groups, including agriculture, and will continue to take steps to ease the transition to the full implementation of the ELD rule.”

Formal publication of the guidance by the Federal Register is anticipated within the next two weeks and will include a public comment process.