The Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced an additional 90-day waiver from the looming Electronic Logging Device (ELD) mandate for agriculture-related transportation.

The mandate went into effect in December 2017.  However, after petitioning by AFBF, CFB, other state Farm Bureaus and ag organizations, DOT granted an initial agricultural exemption that was set to expire on March 18, 2018.  The granting of another extension will provide additional time for haulers to comply and the opportunity for AFBF to address the underlying Hours of Service (HOS) challenges.

Additionally, during this time period, FMCSA indicated it will publish final guidance on both the agricultural 150 air-mile hours-of-service exemption and personal conveyance. FMCSA announced it will continue its outreach to provide assistance to the agricultural industry and community regarding the ELD rule.

USDA has been a strong advocate and partner in working with DOT on this important issue.  U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue applauded Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao for the announcement.