Hours of Service of Drivers: Application for Exemption; Pipe Line Contractors Association (PLCA)

FMCSA announces its decision to deny the application of the Pipe Line Contractors Association (PLCA) from the requirement that a motor carrier install and require each of its drivers to use an electronic logging device (ELD) to record the driver's hours-of-service (HOS) no later than December 18, 2017. PLCA had requested the exemption for all pipeline contractor vehicle drivers who typically use the short-haul exception to the logging requirement, which also exempts them from using ELDs. Sometimes, however, they may exceed the conditions of the short-haul exception more than 8 days in a 30-day period, which would subject them to the ELD rule. FMCSA has analyzed the exemption application and public comments, and has determined that the applicant would not achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved absent such exemption. FMCSA therefore denies PLCA's application for exemption.