The ELD mandate deadline is less than 2 weeks away — are you ready?
What You Need to Know About the ELD Final Rule Compliance Date: December 18, 2017
The ELD final rule compliance date, December 18, 2017, marks phase 2 of FMCSA’s ELD compliance timeline. It is on this date (December 18, 2017) that ELD use is no longer voluntary — it’s mandatory (unless you meet an ELD exemption). Carriers and drivers who are subject to the ELD rule (including commercial buses, trucks, and Canada-and-Mexico-domiciled drivers) however, must use self-certified and FMCSA registered ELDs.
AOBRDS installed before December 18th, 2017 are grandfathered in for two years and can be used with ELDs. Likewise, owner-operators with AOBRDs (installed before the 2017 ELD mandate deadline) hired to a fleet after December 18, 2017 may continue to use its grandfathered AOBRD. However, if a grandfathered AOBRD becomes inoperable after December 18, 2017, then that AOBRD must be replaced with an ELD. On this date, logging software and paper logs are no longer permitted for those who are subject to the ELD rule.
On December 16, 2019, phase three of the ELD compliance timeline takes effect, in which all drivers and carriers who are required to comply with the ELD rule must use self-certified ELDs that are registered with FMCSA. On this date, AOBRDs are no longer permitted.
The My20 ELD by Konexial is self-certified and registered with the FMCSA. You can learn more and buy our powerful, yet affordable ELD here.
ELD Enforcement And Violations After the 2017 ELD Mandate Deadline
Failing to meet ELD compliance by the December 18th, 2017 ELD deadline could be costly. Starting on this date, states and their federal truck enforcement partners will begin issuing violations, citations, and possible fines to drivers and carriers who are subject to the ELD mandate but who aren’t using electronic logging devices or AOBRDs.
“After Dec. 18, 2017, if you don’t have an AOBRD or ELD the violation will be cited, and a driver could be fined, but they won’t be put out of service. Companies that continually violate the rule could be subject to federal investigation as well.”
– FMCSA spokesperson Duane DeBruyne.
ELD non-compliance by April 1st, 2018 will result in a 10-hour out-of-service order, as confirmed by FMCSA and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA). Delaying enforcement of the ELD out-of-service criteria is meant to provide the “motor carrier industry, shippers and roadside enforcement community with time to adjust to the new requirements before vehicles are placed out of service for ELD violations.” It is not, however, in place to delay the ELD mandate in any way. Nevertheless, ELD enforcement will begin December 18th, 2017.
ELD Devices Ready to Ship
If you’ve waited until the last minute to buy an ELD, don’t worry — we can help! Our ELD devices are ready to ship, and our ELD app can be downloaded today. Best yet, our affordable ELD has rewarding and profit-building features you won’t find anywhere else. Learn more about or purchase our amazing e-log (for owner operators or fleets) on our ELD products page, and don’t hesitate to reach out with any ELD questions.