The projected publication date for the final rule that will mandate the use of Electronic Logging Devices by truck drivers has been updated to September 30th, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

The date previously projected by FMCSA for publication of the final ELD rule in the Federal Register had been November 9th. The change is an unusual instance of a projected rulemaking date being shortened by a federal agency.

On the other hand, at the time the Notice of Proposal Rulemaking on ELDs was released in early 2011, FMCSA scheduled this September 30 as the “original” publication date.

The ELD mandate will go into effect 24 months after the final rule is published.

According to FMCSA, the ELD rule will establish:

• Minimum performance and design standards for hours-of-service (HOS) electronic logging devices (ELDs)

• Requirements for the mandatory use of these devices by drivers currently required to prepare HOS records of duty status (RODS)

• Requirements concerning HOS supporting documents

• Measures to address concerns about harassment resulting from the mandatory use of ELDs