The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has turned down a request from a small trucking company for a one-year exemption from using Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) due to cost concerns.
The ask: Arbert Ibraimi, representing GTLM Transport Inc., argued that his new business couldn't afford the expense of an ELD system. He wanted to spend the limited funds on safety measures instead.
- Ibraimi operates a single commercial motor vehicle and claims that the safety impact would be minimal without the ELDs.
- The FMCSA received 122 comments on the request, with 62 in support, 32 against, and 28 neutral.
The decision: The FMCSA concluded that GTLM's proposal would not ensure a safety level equivalent to what ELDs provide. The agency emphasized that economic difficulties don't justify an exemption.
"GTLM failed to establish that it would achieve a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level achieved without the exemption," according to an FMCSA notice.
The denial leaves GTLM Transport Inc. responsible for complying with current ELD regulations to continue its operations.