Grain Valley, Mo. – The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, the nation’s only organization exclusively representing professional and small-business truckers, supports a bill that would exempt motor carriers with 10 or fewer trucks from an electronic logging device mandate.

“We’re thrilled that Congressman Collin Peterson (D-MN) and Congressman Greg Gianforte (R-MT) introduced a bill to provide relief from the ELD mandate to small-business truckers.  While the mandate is already in effect, it’s never too late to do the right thing,” said Collin Long, OOIDA Director of Government Affairs.

The “Small Carrier Electronic Logging Device Exemption Act of 2018” or  HR5948, would allow motor carriers that own or operate 10 or fewer commercial vehicles to record their hours-of-service on a paper logbook.  It would also require the U.S. Department of Transportation to implement the exemption within 90 days after becoming law.

“The ELD mandate currently in place continues to frustrate drivers and small businesses,” added Long. “Our economy cannot afford to lose more of either. Technology that is truly beneficial doesn’t have to be mandated – it is eagerly embraced!” said Long.

“This is a great bipartisan bill, and one that hopefully can generate a ton of support from Congress and impacted stakeholders.  We realize it has a long way to go, but we’re encouraged that so many in Congress are still concerned about the negative impact the ELD mandate continues to have on our nation’s small-business truckers,” said Long.