Another construction group seeks ELD exemption for short-haul drivers

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The Power and Communication Contractors Association is seeking an exemption from the ELD mandate for its drivers who typically operate under a short-haul log-keeping exemption.The Power and Communication Contractors Association is seeking an exemption from the ELD mandate for its drivers who typically operate under a short-haul log-keeping exemption.

Another construction-related association is petitioning the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for an exemption from the electronic logging device mandate for its truck drivers.

The Power and Communication Contractors Association – which represents those who build and repair power, broadband, telephone and cable television systems – notes many of its contractors drive a variety of commercial vehicles ranging from dump trucks, water tankers, skid trucks and flatbeds.

The group says the workers that would be covered under the exemption are “construction workers,” and that “driving is incidental to their core job function.” These workers typically drive numerous vehicles for short distances in a single day with single vehicles being driven by multiple drivers each day, PCCA adds.

According to PCCA, these drivers typically operate under the utility service vehicle log-keeping exemption, and requiring the use of ELDs for these drivers who are usually exempt would be “an unnecessary burden.” The group says it doesn’t know specifically how many drivers are in the power and communication construction industry, but estimates there are “tens of thousands” across the U.S.

The requested exemption would apply only to drivers who are on-duty no more than 14 hours per day and drive less than 200 miles per day. PCCA says if the exemption is granted, drivers would continue to keep paper logs when short-haul limitations are exceeded.

Earlier this year, the Pipe Line Contractors Association requested a similar exemption for truck drivers who haul equipment for pipeline and construction projects. The American Road and Transportation Builders Association has voiced its support for such an exemption for the entire transportation construction industry.