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Introduction
FMCSA has established federal hours of service (HOS) regulations that limit on-duty driving time of drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in order to ensure they have adequate time for rest. This proposal would supplement and reinforce those requirements in several ways. According to FMCSA,
This SNPRM would improve CMV safety and reduce the overall paperwork burden for both motor carriers and drivers by increasing the use of ELDs within the motor carrier industry, which would in turn improve compliance with the applicable HOS rules. Specifically, this SNPRM proposes: (1) Requiring new technical specifications for ELDs that address statutory requirements; (2) mandating ELDs for drivers currently using RODS [records of duty status]; (3) clarifying supporting document requirements so that motor carriers and drivers can comply efficiently with HOS regulations, and so that motor carriers can make the best use of ELDs and related support systems as their primary means of recording HOS information and ensuring HOS compliance; and (4) proposing both procedural and technical provisions aimed at ensuring that ELDs are not used to harass vehicle operators.
As a part of its ongoing Retrospective Review Comment Project, the Regulatory Studies Center examines significant proposed regulations to assess whether agencies propose retrospective review as a part of their regulations, and submits comments to provide suggestions on how best to incorporate plans for retrospective review into their proposals. To facilitate meaningful retrospective review after the promulgation of a final rule, multiple government guidelines instruct agencies to incorporate retrospective review plans into their proposals during the rulemaking process.