FMCSA proposes on-board recorders for commercial bus companies

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is issuing a regulatory proposal that would require interstate commercial bus and truck companies to install electronic on-board recorders (EOBRs) to monitor a driver’s hours of service. The proposal would also relieve interstate motor carriers from retaining specific hours-of-service documents, such as delivery and toll receipts, which usually verify the number of hours drivers spend behind the wheel.

“This proposal would make our roads safer by ensuring that carriers traveling across state lines are using EOBRs to track the hours their drivers spend behind the wheel,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

Under the proposal, interstate carriers that currently use Records of Duty logbooks to record a driver’s behind-the-wheel time would be required to use an EOBR. Short-haul carriers who use time cards would not fall under the new regulation. Violators who break the EOBR requirement could face civil penalties of up to $11,000 for each offense. There will be a comment period once the proposed rule in published in the Federal Register.