DOT to Grant Initial 90-day Waiver from ELD’s for Agricultural Haulers
On November 20, 2017, the Department of Transportation (DOT) informed the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) that the agency intends to grant an initial 90-day waiver from the requirement for agricultural and livestock haulers to obtain Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs). The 90-day waiver begins December 18th and allows the agency time to further examine AFBF’s exemption request while developing additional guidance for agricultural haulers. On September 12, Farm Bureau, National Pork Producers Council, National Cattleman’s Beef Association, and five other livestock, aquaculture and beekeeping organizations petitioned the DOT for a waiver and limited exemption from the ELD mandate for drivers who haul livestock, live fish and insects.
On December 18, 2017, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s ELD mandate will go into effect except for those transporting agricultural commodities and livestock. Those haulers will be granted an initial 90-day waiver from compliance.
According to the AFBF, most farmers and ranchers should be exempt from the ELD mandate because they can claim covered farm vehicle (CFV) status. DOT will be publishing additional guidance and official notice of the waiver in early December.