ELD exemption sought for drivers of short-term truck rentals

The Truck Renting and Leasing Association, Inc. (TRALA) has requested an exemption from mandatory electronic logging devices (ELDs) for all drivers of property-carrying vehicles rented for 30 days or fewer. TRALA argues that the ELD mandate will result in unintended technical and operational consequences that will unfairly and adversely affect short-term rental vehicles.

Due to the significant number of different device platforms and subscription options, it is highly unlikely that a driver's device would be able to communicate properly with the rental company's telematics platform, TRALA argued in its petition. While FMCSA recognized the issues presented by a lack of interoperability among ELD systems and required certain technical specifications in the final rule, it stopped short of requiring full interoperability among ELDs. TRALA is concerned not only about technical issues but also about liability for data. Requiring lessors to bear the burden of safeguarding data for each renter would expose the rental company to great risk regarding data security and protection, the association argued.

Comments on TRALA’s exemption request are due April 21. For more information, see FMCSA’s Federal Register notice at https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2017-05632.