What is ELD in Trucking?

As you probably know, in the trucking industry, there is an ELD mandate from the FMCSA. It is no longer a “new rule,” taking effect in 2018. This can affect the HOS or hours of service of all drivers, from owner-operators to large trucking companies. However, if you are new to the business, you may have questions. Whether you are a short-haul or long-haul driver, this mandate will affect you moving forward. Here, we will take a look at the ELD mandate for truckers within the United States.

The ELD rule is a mandate put into place by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) that applies to motor carriers and truck drivers who are required to keep records of on-duty and off-duty service, making it law to have an ELD or electronic logging device installed and operational in your truck at all times during your hours of service (with some exemptions). The ELD devices are a digital version of the old paper logbooks that monitor and log all kinds of data. Similar to the AOBRDs or automatic onboard recording devices, the ELD systems take it a step further in their capabilities and set an industry standard to abide by for commercial vehicles while making both tracking and edits easier. You may also hear these systems referred to as e-logs. The information logged includes everything your paper logs would record and so much more.

If you are required by law to log your HOS (Hours of Service), you will likely need to purchase an FMCSA-approved ELD for your vehicle. You want to make sure that you know the requirements and follow them, as this mandate is enforced by the law and the DOT during roadside inspections. If not followed properly, it can greatly impact your business, even leaving you out of service. During these inspections, they can examine the ELD system thoroughly, checking reports such as your hours of service, engine hours, and records of duty status.

Key Points to Remember:

• The ELD rule is mandated by the FMCSA and DOT.
• ELDs are digital logbooks required for recording hours of service.
• Compliance is crucial to avoid penalties and out-of-service orders during inspections.

Benefits of ELD Mandate 

First off, you may be concerned about yet another expense you are required to have to be in this business. However, the benefits of real-time tracking to keep you in compliance with service regulations are usually worth the cost. Many brokers/shippers also require real-time macro-point tracking, and with the right device, it is simple to share your location for a specified time. Insurance companies also like to use that data to confirm you are a safe operator and will usually offer discounted rates on your insurance if you opt to share your data.

The ELD mandate, or ELD Final Rule, is a U.S. federal government regulation specifying that operators of commercial motor vehicles covered by this law will be required to use electronic logging devices, or ELDs.

These systems provide major conveniences while rather simple to use. Just the primary feature of not having to keep a physical record of duty status on paper that can be easily lost or damaged was a game-changer of sorts. While frustrating to many who were used to the prior methods, this was in fact a step in a positive direction. The ELD system is able to accomplish this task automatically and efficiently, letting you focus more on your primary task, driving.

This automated convenience results in improvements such as safer roads and greater efficiencies now that so much data of the truck is accurately tracked and at your fingertips. They have even managed to reduce fuel costs, improve driver productivity, and provide safer roads overall. Additionally, ELD compliance ensures that drivers are adhering to HOS regulations, reducing instances of driver fatigue and enhancing overall driver safety.

ELD Required Paperwork 

Truck driving comes with a lot of paperwork. Even though these systems by various ELD providers reduce the need for paper logs, they didn’t get rid of the paper completely. Truckers still need to keep hard copies of certain documents in their trucks to avoid dings during DOT inspections, including documents for the ELD. This is referred to as your ELD mandate paperwork.

According to the FMCSA website, there are four ELD documents drivers must keep in their trucks. Failure to produce these documents results in a 1-point hit each against the driver’s CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) score. The point score goes up to three points per infraction if the driver is in noncompliance again within 12 months. The documents drivers must have are as follows:

• ELD user manual
• Instructions on how to transfer ELD data to an authorized official
• Instructions on what to do if the ELD malfunctions. This should include instructions on how to troubleshoot the ELD
• Eight days of blank records of the driver’s duty status (RoD) graph-grids in case the ELD malfunctions

Communication is Key 

As a carrier, you can’t always predict when outside elements like weather or traffic might interfere with your load. However, minimize your surprises by learning how to find freight brokers who communicate with you throughout the process. A quality freight broker will provide you with the information you need to haul that load and how you will be matched with loads in the future. By requesting that a broker provide you with a clear-cut process from pick up to drop off, you have a transparent partnership with no surprises down the road.

Effective communication is crucial for ensuring driver safety and maintaining ELD compliance. Dispatchers play a key role in this, as they can relay real-time updates and assist with any issues that arise during a haul. Utilizing fleet management software can enhance this communication, providing a centralized platform for tracking loads, updating drivers, and ensuring that all regulatory requirements are met. This system also helps monitor driver fatigue and manage driver hours, ensuring that all HOS regulations are adhered to for safer operations.

Who is Required to Have an ELD? 

An ELD has proven to be a powerful tool for fleet managers. From tracking driving hours to overall fleet management, the ELD solution provides comprehensive support. So, are all commercial drivers with a CDL required to have ELDs or electronic logging devices installed on their trucks? Well, not quite. The ELD system operates by connecting to the vehicle’s diagnostics port. There are three types of diagnostics ports used in vehicles to which the ELD can be connected; however, commercial trucks built in the model year 2000 and prior were not equipped with the ports attached to the vehicle’s engine, making them incompatible for ELD systems to be installed. For this reason, those vehicles have been declared exempt from the mandate and are allowed to continue using paper logs for their records.

Other exemptions to this mandate by the FMCSA have been for the Motion Picture Association of America, The United Parcel Service, as well as the Truck Renting and Leasing Association. Truck drivers for these organizations fall under the exemption from the mandate in the trucking industry. It is essential for commercial motor vehicle drivers to understand these exemptions and comply accordingly to avoid penalties.

Stay ahead in the trucking industry by ensuring ELD compliance. Protect your business, enhance driver safety, and avoid penalties by understanding and following the ELD mandate. For more information and to explore our ELD solutions, contact our team of experts today!