Texas, Are You Ready For The ELD Mandate December 2019?

The Texas ELD mandate is coming December 19, 2019. Texas commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) driving intrastate must make sure that their fleet is in sync with the new requirements to remain compliant.

Texas has updated their Hours of Service (HOS) code with a ruling that follows the guidelines put in place by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Electronic log device speculations will be the same as the FMCSA’s.

ELD Mandate Rules

  • CMVs must be equipped with an electronic logging device (ELD) and Drivers must log their HOS.
  • The ELD in place must match the defined standards and be certified by the FMCSA.
  • Drivers must carry a list of supporting documents.

The Texas ELD mandate falls in line with Phase 3 of the FMCSA’s ELD Implementation Timeline. In December of 2015 the ELD rule was established. Two years later, paper logs were phased out and Drivers were required to use an ELD or automatic onboard recording device (AOBRD) instead. Phase 3 takes place December of 2019 when the ELD mandate will be enforced and ELD installation is required to remain compliant.

Current Safety Regulations

  • Drivers can be on the road a maximum of 11 hours. This time includes driving while loading or unloading. After that, the driver must be off duty for a consecutive 10 hours.
  • Driving is not allowed after 14 consecutive hours of being on-duty. This includes on-duty, off-duty and driving time.
  • Drivers must take a 30 minute break before 8 hours of being on-duty.
  • Drivers can only work 70 hours every 8 days. After 34 hours of being off duty, the clock resets.

ELD Exemptions

Regulations do not concern:

  • Agricultural crops being transported during harvest period within the 150 air-miles area are exempt for the ELD rule.
  • CMVs assembled prior to the year 2000 do not have the correct engine monitor to implement an ELD.
  • Tow-way truckers who deliver CMVs are not required to use an ELD.
  • Truckers that aren’t required to maintain their Record of Duty Status (RODS) due to an exception; such as the 100-150 air-mile exceptions.
  • Drivers who have 8 days or less of RODS due to the short haul exception have to cross the border of calculated area so do not require an ELD.

The speculations regarding an exception for agricultural product transport are in production.

More About the ELD Mandate

Check out Gorilla Safety’s Newsroom for more information regarding the ELD mandates.

The ELD Mandate: Improving Safety Through Technology

AOBRD vs. ELD: Do you know the difference?

The ELD Mandate: Don’t wait to transition from AOBRD to ELD

Leave a Reply