The Federal Motor Safety Administration has proposed granting Werner Enterprises Inc. an exemption from the requirement that commercial motor vehicle drivers operating in interstate commerce prepare handwritten records of duty status.

Werner would instead document its drivers’ hours-of-service through the use of global positioning satellite technology and complementary computer software programs.

Specifically, Werner has used GPS technology manufactured by Qualcomm Inc. to manage and record duty status since June 10, 1998, when Werner entered into an agreement with FMCSA.

Based on recent discussions between Werner and DOT officials, FMCSA concluded, “The agency believes that the terms and conditions of the exemption would achieve a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, that provided by complying with the (handwritten) requirements.”

Does this mean the future of logbook records will be paperless for all carriers and truck drivers? Not exactly.

In a further explanation of its position, FMCSA said, “The agency does not believe that it is appropriate to amend the safety regulations based on a technology that is currently being used by only one motor carrier. Therefore, the agency proposes to exercise its authority to make a transition from the project to an exemption that can be renewed every two years, through a notice and comment process.”

FMCSA will take comments on its proposed exemption until Jan. 12, 2004. If you wish to comment, identify the docket number as FMCSA-2003-15818 by any of the following methods: Web site: http://dms.dot.gov, and follow the instructions for submitting comments on the DOT electronic docket site; fax comments to (202) 493-2251; or send mail to the Docket Management Facility, U.S. DOT, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC, 20590-0001.