A new federal rule will increase the cost of transportation for some companies. And the agency that issued the rule has signaled more costly changes are ahead.

Some companies, including some truckers who carry your goods, will be forced to install electronic on-board recorders (EOBRs) in all their commercial motor vehicles starting in 2012.

The devices will be required for companies found, during a single inspection, to have violated hours-of-service (HOS) regulations.more than 10% of the time.

The HOS rules govern how long commercial vehicle drivers can legally be on the clock and behind the wheel.

The rule will go into effect June 1, 2012, to give EOBR manufacturers enough time to catch up with the expected demand.

It’s estimated 5,700 motor vehicle carriers will have to use EOBRs after the rule has been in effect for one year.

There may be more new rules involving the devices soon. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration says it will propose a rule later this year that would mandate EOBRs for even more commercial motor vehicles.

Previously, the agency proposed EOBRs be installed on all commercial vehicles used in long-haul and regional operations, but that proposal was withdrawn.