FMCSA rejects ELD exemption for pipeline contractors

Drivers of pipeline contractor vehicles who must complete records of duty stats (RODS) and don't otherwise qualify for an exemption under the electronic logging device (ELD) rule will have to use ELDs, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration declared October 27. That Pipe Line Contractors Association (PLCA) had asked for an exemption from ELDs for drivers that might occasionally be required to complete RODS for more than 8 days in a 30-day period.

FMCSA said it determined that the drivers covered by the application would not achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved absent such exemption.

"When FMCSA published the rule mandating ELDs it relied upon research indicating that the rule improves CMV safety by improving compliance with the HOS rules," FMCSA said. "The rule also reduces the overall paperwork burden for both motor carriers and drivers. The primary reason for denying this exemption is that PLCA did not demonstrate how, without using ELDs, they would maintain a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level achieved without the exemption."