Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration July 10, 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FMCSA revises its regulatory guidance concerning records of duty status (RODS) generated by logging software programs on laptop computers, tablets, and smartphones. These logging software programs are used by certain drivers to help them prepare RODS, but the computers, tablets, and smartphones with such software do not meet FMCSA's requirements for automatic on-board recording devices (AOBRDs). The revision of the guidance clarifies the relationship between the Agency's policy concerning the use of logging software programs and the Agency's January 4, 2011, regulatory guidance concerning electronic signatures by removing the requirement that drivers print and sign paper copies of RODS generated through such logging software, provided the driver is able to sign the RODS electronically at the end of each work day and display the electronic record at the roadside. This guidance provides the motor carrier industry, and Federal, State, and local motor carrier enforcement officials with uniform information regarding computer software and devices used by drivers to assist them with hours-of-service (HOS) recordkeeping. All prior Agency interpretations and regulatory guidance, including memoranda and letters, are rescinded to the extent they are inconsistent with this guidance.