The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has granted an additional 90-day waiver from the electronic logging device (ELD) rule for agriculture-related transportation. During this time, the agency will also publish final guidance on the agricultural 150 air-mile hours-of-service exemption and personal conveyance.
The federal rule requires most trucking companies to record drivers’ hours of service on electronic logging devices and is meant to increase efficiency and safety in trucking.
Ag groups have expressed concern about the practicality of the ELD mandate, including how it could impact perishable produce. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has said that the rule lacks the necessary flexibility for hauling agricultural commodities.
The extension will push the ELD deadline for haulers of ag commodities to mid-June.
