First Texas, and now Florida! States are starting to mandate electronic logging devices for intrastate drivers. What does this mean for drivers who qualify for an exemption from the FMCSA’s ELD mandate? And could other states require ELDs in the future?
The Lone Star State
Last month, Overdrive reported that Texas will mandate ELDs
for intrastate drivers. This means that Texan intrastate drivers who would have qualifed for an exemption from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Adminstration’s (FMCSA) ELD Mandate may now to be required to run an electronic logging device by December 19, 2019 under the Texas mandate.
Overdrive notes that the only drivers in the Lone Star State that will qualify for an exemption under the Texas mandate are argicultural drivers who drive within a 150 air mile radius of the product’s point of origin/distribution during harvest season. However, Infrastructure notes that short-haul drivers, drivers part of a driveaway-towaway operation, and drivers with vehicles older than 2000 would still qualify for an exemption under the Texas mandate.
The Sunshine State
Commericial Carrier Journal recently reported that Florida is now looking to require their intrastate drivers to run ELDs as well. Florida’s deadline differs from Texas, as the Sunshine State will require their intrastate drivers to adopt electronic logging devices by December 31, 2018.
Also in contrast to Texas mandate, the only Floridan intrastate drivers that qualify for an exemption are drivers transporting placardable amounts of hazardous materials.
What Does This Mean for Intrastate Drivers? 
If you are an intrastate driver in either Texas or Florida, you will need to run an ELD by your state’s compliance deadline. Similarly, if you qualify for an exemption from the FMCSA’s ELD Mandate but you drive through either Florida or Texas, you will need to run an electronic logging device while driving through those states to be compliant with their hours-of-service rules and regulations.
Electronic logging devices will become more prevalvent, as more states start mandating them for their intrastate drivers. If you manage a fleet of intrastate drivers, it’s worth considering transitioning your fleet to ELDs sooner than later. Not only will you fleet be prepared for any mandates, but your fleet will also realize the benefits of transitioning to ELDs.
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