FMCSA extends comment period on proposed EOBR rule

Washington – The public comment period for a proposed rule that would mandate use of electronic onboard recorders by interstate commercial truck and bus companies was extended from April 4 to May 23, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recently announced.

According to a notice (.pdf file) published in the March 10 Federal Register, FMCSA granted requests from the American Trucking Associations and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance to extend the comment period.

FMCSA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Feb. 1 Federal Register stating carriers that are required to comply with FMCSA’s hours-of-service regulations and who violate the EOBR requirement would face civil penalties of up to $11,000 for each offense. Non-compliance also would negatively impact a carrier’s safety fitness rating. The proposal would relieve interstate motor carriers from retaining certain HOS supporting documents, such as delivery and toll receipts.

On June 4, 2010, a final rule (.pdf file) went into effect mandating interstate commercial truck and bus companies with serious patterns of HOS violations to install EOBRs in all vehicles. Carriers that do not comply will be ordered out of service. Motor carriers must comply with the final rule by June 4, 2012.