As your national association, TRAA provides legislative representation for the towing and recovery industry. TRAA, the TRAA LAN, and Tremont Strategies Group (TSG), our federal lobbying firm, have monitored and addressed numerous legislative issues. Please see some highlights of our legislative activity below.
2020
2019
2018
2017
Dealing with the Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) Mandate
In June 2018, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) denied TRAA’s petition for an exemption from electronic logging device requirements for the towing industry.
In an effort to assist our members with the implementation of ELD’s, we have provided some helpful and valuable information.
Hours of Service Compliance – Best Practices for Towing Companies
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announces its decision to grant TowMate, LLC’s (TowMate) application for a limited two-year exemption to allow motor carriers to operate rechargeable wireless temporary stop, turn, and tail lighting systems during temporary towing operations. Under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), all required lamps, with the exception of battery-powered lamps used on projecting loads, must be powered by the electrical system of the motor vehicle. The Agency has determined that use of rechargeable wireless temporary stop, turn, and tail lighting systems during temporary towing operations would not have an adverse impact on safety, and use of these systems under the terms and conditions of the exemption would achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater than the level of safety provided by the regulation. This decision is consistent with an August 2005 amendment to the FMCSRs to allow battery powered lamps on the rear of projecting loads.
Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) – Final Rule
The final rule allows limited exceptions to the ELD mandate. As indicated in § 395.1(e), drivers who operate using the time-card exception are not required to keep RODS and will not be required to use ELDs.The following drivers are excepted in § 395.8(a)(1)(iii) from installing and using ELDs and may continue to use “paper” RODS: (Emphasis added)