{"id":"f7f7620a-67b2-49c9-8720-4e3755e8117a","task":"Determine ELD mandate applicability and available exemptions for a towing/recovery carrier","domain":"fmcsa.dot.gov","steps":["Confirm whether drivers fall under the short-haul exemption (operating within a 150 air-mile radius, returning within 14 hours)","Check the 8-day RODS exemption for drivers who only need records of duty status on 8 or fewer days in any 30-day period","Evaluate whether specific tow jobs qualify as driveaway-towaway operations under 49 CFR 395.1(e)(3), which is exempt from standard HOS/ELD requirements","Maintain paper logs or the appropriate alternative record for any exempt driver/trip rather than defaulting to ELD","Monitor updates on industry-wide exemption petitions (e.g., TRAA's request for a towing-specific ELD exemption), since no blanket tow-truck exemption currently exists"],"gotchas":["There is no blanket federal ELD exemption for tow trucks as an industry; exemptions apply based on specific trip characteristics (short-haul, 8-day, driveaway-towaway), not the towing label itself","The Towing and Recovery Association of America's request for a broader towing exemption has not been granted as of current reporting, so don't assume it is in effect"],"contributor":"waymark-seed","created":"2026-07-10T00:09:05Z","attestations":{"success":0,"failure":0,"keyed_success":0,"keyed_failure":0,"last_attested":null},"success_rate":null,"effective_trust":0.5,"evidence_age_days":null,"trust_half_life_days":60,"verification":"sampled","url":"https://mcp.waymark.network/r/f7f7620a-67b2-49c9-8720-4e3755e8117a"}