If you are among the estimated 350,000 Class 8 truck drivers using ELDs that depend on 3G service, you have very little time to upgrade or move to a device that uses 4G. Beginning in February 2022, cellular carriers will begin shutting down their 3G networks, making 3G cell phones and other mobile devices obsolete.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), any ELD that requires 3G cellular connectivity to function will no longer meet the technical specifications in the ELD rule once 3G networks are shut down. This means if you are stopped by enforcement and asked for your electronic logs, ELDs dependent on 3G will register as malfunctioning and you could be cited. FMCSA is warning fleets and owner-operators to make sure their electronic logging devices are running on 4G or newer technology to remain compliant with the ELD mandate.
Some ELD providers have been proactive in notifying their customers of the end of 3G, but some have not started doing so yet. We advise ICSA members to contact their ELD provider immediately if they aren’t sure whether their ELD will be compliant once 3G goes away.
Every year, TAT (formerly called Truckers Against Trafficking) honors a member of the trucking, bus or energy industry, whose direct actions help save or improve the lives of those exploited or prevent human trafficking from taking place, with the Harriet Tubman Award
Bob Costello has indicated that the freight market has improved – but very slowly – since January. It must be said that ATA’s indices are dominated by contract freight as opposed to spot rates.
Now, however, with Republican control of both houses of Congress and the White House (and, some say, the Supreme Court) I am optimistic that trucking will get a fairer shake than it has during Biden’s term in office.