Today’s Pickup: ELD out-of-service orders to wait until 2018

Good day,

As efforts to delay implementation of the electronic logging device rule continue to flounder in Congress, opponents have received an olive branch from the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA). The group says that while it will enforce the ELD mandate on Dec. 18 as planned, out-of-service orders will not be issued until April 1, 2018.

CVSA notes that inspectors will have discretion to issue violations for not complying with the rule as of Dec. 18, however out-of-service orders will not be given until the April date. The change does not impact out-of-service orders for violation of hours-of-service regulations.

Carriers using a grandfathered automatic onboard recording device (AOBRD) have until Dec. 16, 2019, to comply with the ELD provision providing the AOBRD meets the requirements of 49 C.F.R. 395.15.

“Setting an April 1, 2018, effective date for applying the ELD OOSC will provide the motor carrier industry, shippers and the roadside enforcement community with time to adjust to the new requirement before vehicles are placed out of service for ELD violations,” CVSA said.

CVSA added that this phased-in approach to enforcement has been used before successfully with other significant regulations and will provide for a smooth transition to compliance.

Did you know?

Hurricane Harvey will disrupt about 10% of the trucking industry this week and 2% going forward, according to an analysis by FTR.

Quotable:

“Look for spot prices to jump over the next several weeks with very strong effects in Texas and the South Central region.”

– Noël Perry, partner at FTR, on Hurricane Harvey impacts

In other news:

Uber’s new CEO holds investment in Convoy

Dara Khosrowshahi, the new CEO at Uber, was an early investor in freight startup Convoy, which is now competing with Uber Freight. While not a large investor, Khosrowshahi may need to sell his stake to avoid a potential conflict. (Recode)

Freight companies work to reroute shipments

From trucking companies, to shippers, to railroads, anyone who moves freight through Texas is working hard to reroute those shipments around flood-ravaged southeast Texas. (Wall Street Journal)

Diesel prices hit 2-year high

Diesel prices have risen to their highest point in 2 years, topping $2.605 cents for the week ending Aug. 28, according to the Department of Energy. (CCJ)

Looking back at GATS

If you didn’t attend the Great American Trucking Show last week, here is a look back at some of the highlights. (TruckersNews)

FMCSA to hold public CSA meeting

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will hold a public meeting on Sept. 8 to get public input on reforms to the CSA program. (Heavy Duty Trucking)

Final Thoughts

Diesel fuel prices climbed above $2.60 per gallon nationally last week for the first time in two years. That rise does not factor in impacts from Hurricane Harvey, which will bring new uncertainty over prices as refineries remain shut down along the Gulf Coast.

Hammer down everyone!