Texas has updated its hours-of-service code and made it mandatory for intrastate drivers to use electronic logging devices (ELDs) by December 19, 2019, to record duty statuses.
As you must know that the FMCSA’s latest ELD mandate will come into effect from December 18, 2017. According to the recent update, intrastate drivers will have two more years to follow Texas’s updated HOS rules.
It is important to note that Texas’ new regulations do not have a lot of detailed information. It is mostly relying on FMCSA’s ELD mandate and the different regulations the final ELD rule has. The minimum device specs will be the same as defined in the FMCSA’s ELD rule. It is yet to be seen whether the exemptions will also be the same or not.
There is one exemption for truckers hauling agricultural products within a 150 air-mile radius during the harvest season. The distance will be calculated on the basis of a commodities’ point of origination or distribution.
This recent development poses a very important question, will other states follow?
The short answer is yes.
Joe Rajkovacz, head of the regulatory affairs for the Western States Trucking Association, believes that other states will likely soon follow. He also believes that most of the other states will fall in line quite easily, while some states, like California, may try to rebut.
However, he also claimed that in the end, federal laws requiring state compliance “will probably win the day.”
It is important to note that most states automatically adopt Federal regulations for intrastate, so they will go towards the ELD route. As so many states mirror federal laws already, they are likely to follow this trend. Texas is just the first one to announce their plans to do so.
What’s next?
Are you prepared for the upcoming ELD mandate?
Explore these resources to help with the ELD implementation process.
- A quick guide to FMCSA’s ELD mandate
- FMCSA director on the ELD mandate & planning ahead
- 6 questions & answers to help you with ELD transition
- Is your fleet exempt for the ELD rule?
Call us with questions at 855-434-3564 or request a free demo of the Motive ELD solution, and one of our product specialists will get in touch with you with all the necessary information.
