WASHINGTON, D.C.- The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) says they’ll likely post the final electronic logging mandate next September.

Once the rule is published, U.S. carriers will have two years to make the switch from paper to electronic logs. The mandate will set standards for devices and supporting documents that regulators need to confirm compliance.

Carriers who already use electronic logging devices that meet current specifications will have two years to bring those devices into compliance with the new specs.

The agency is currently analyzing over 2,200 comments and plans to submit a final rule to the office of the Secretary of Transportation in May. After that office completes its review, the rule goes to the White House Office of Management and Budget, which may accept the rule as it is or may ask FMCSA to make changes.

Any one of these steps could add more time to the process, which is not unusual.

Also in process:

• A final drug and alcohol clearinghouse rule is due next October. It will set up a central database for carriers to check drivers’ history with controlled substances as part of the hiring process.

• A proposal by FMCSA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to require speed limiters on heavy trucks is scheduled for publication next March.