How To Stay Compliant With ELD Mandates
Oded Ran, CEO and Co-Founder of Clue since 2019, expertly integrates AI and data tools to revolutionize construction equipment management and maintenance, positioning Clue as a premier software choice in the construction industry.
ELD is more than just a “transition” from using typical paper logs to computerized logs. It is a comprehensive and reliable security solution designed for a vehicle or fleet.
Discover what it actually looks like… How to stay aligned with the ELD mandate (and WHY)... And how this ELD mandate comes with higher levels of safety, convenience, and trust.
In the next 7 minutes, you will get all your questions (and more) answered.
What Is An ELD And How Does It Work?
An ELD (Electronic Logging Device) is a tablet computer in your vehicle and is synced with the engine. We call it CMV (commercial motor vehicle). It tracks the driving hours and other critical data of your vehicle in real-time.
The United States Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) specified that the use of ELD is mandatory for all commercial vehicles… Beginning Dec 18, 2017.
(Though the regulations for commercial vehicles were advised by the MAP-21 Act before FMCSA)
And later on – by Dec 16, 2019 – this applied to all the vehicles. (Yes, there are some exceptions you will explore in a while)
Lately, Canada followed in its footsteps and enforced the ELD mandate. And now, commercial vehicles in Canada are required to keep a track record of their duty status (RODS)
That said: If you’re a fleet manager, owner, operator, or even a driver…
It is important for you to make complete sense of the FMCSA ELD mandate and how to keep your business aligned with this federal law.
Because not taking the steps you should to remain compliant can give you and your business a harder time.
Here’s what I mean…
A violation of ELD guidelines can cause a 1000$ to 10,000$ fine. The vehicle can be put out of service. (It is until the issue gets resolved legally)
With this significant fine and penalty in mind, you’d want to use the best electronic logging device that ensures safety and reliability.
ELD Mandate And The Law It Comes Under
Compliance is a fancy word for following the regulations set by the government and authorities. (In this case, the FMCSA)
ELD compliance ensures the safety and well-being of the drivers. It is enforced to let the drivers find a healthy balance between work and rest.
The ELD mandate promotes safe driving in a major way… By preventing the incidents caused by fatigue or sleep-deprived driving.
There are drivers who do not care about getting a proper rest break…
And run across the country (So that they drive more hours and make more money)
Mind this: If the vehicle needs maintenance, so does the one who drives it.
Getting proper rest maintains the overall body and prepares it for an efficient performance at work.
And it’s not like this “hours of service” law (aka HOS) is born new. It’s been around since 1938. At that time, there was a limit in the U.S. on the number of hours a driver could operate, as the logbooks say.
As they were paper logs. They were easy to forge. To avoid this, the government introduced these electronic logging devices.
That’s how the paper logs were replaced with these Automated On-Board Recording Devices (AOBRD) with built-in ELD software.
Who Is Exempt From ELD?
Whilst the ELD mandate applies to most of the commercially operating vehicles, there are also some exemptions for ELDs.
Here are the vehicles that this mandate doesn’t apply to:
- Pre-2000 motor vehicles: The vehicles that are manufactured before the 2000s, they’re an exception. They’re not compatible with ELD software.
- Short-haul drivers: If a driver operates within a 150-air-mile radius of their normal work-reporting location, the ELD mandate doesn’t apply to such drive. (Short-haul-drivers must not exceed the maximum duty period of 14 hours a day) - Opposite to it are long-haul drivers. They must follow the mandate.
- Drivers who drive 8 days or less: If you do not exceed 8 days a month driving, you are not required to follow the mandate.
- Drive-away-tow-away operation: This means that the vehicle is a commodity and is being delivered. Usually, such vehicles have more than one set of wheels. This case is an exemption for ELDs.
The ELD Compliance Requirements (And How To Choose The BEST Electronic Logging Device For Your Business)
Now this is interesting…
To be the one who is compliant, your ELD must be on FMCSA’s ELD registry. This list also presents you with the revoked devices. It’s a MUST that you check yourself on the approved list before you order your electronic logging device.
If you are using a device that is not on the approved list, you will be found to have no RODS. That’s the rule.
Devices like these ^^^ do not meet the FMCSA’s requirements simply. If you came across using such ELD software, this could potentially put you in a civil penalty or the audit of your entire fleet. Beware!
Now the question has to be asked:
“How do I know if my ELD software follows the FMCSA’s ELD rules?”
We got you covered.
The providers that are confident about the ELDs they build… They likely have a third-party certification that validates their compliance.
Logging devices that come from such approved resources are capable of (And as the FMCSA requirements say):
- Connecting to your engine and recording its motion without any jitter
- Making a secured transfer of ELD data (via wireless or wired mediums)
- Displaying RODS reading clearly
- Allowing the driver to log in with no glitches.
These are the requirements for your convenience. You can independently and manually test these on your ELD, just to be safe.
ELD has its checklist for drivers who are on the road and fleet managers who run a business.
ELD Mandate For Drivers
We have a defined checklist by FMCSA to assist your ELD compliance. A driver - when the vehicle is under a compliance inspection - must:
- Know if the Vehicle is or isn’t exempt from ELD compliance.
- Understand when and how to use an ELD.
- Have a valid ID and a driving license to drive commercially.
- Have the vehicle registration documents with him/her.
- Keep ELD user manuals, assistance instructions, and all the supporting documents that FMCSA recommends.
Fleet Managers And ELD Mandate
The ELD mandate is like a windfall for fleet managers. It makes life a lot easier for them.
As someone who manages a driver/commercial vehicle from the back-office, here’s YOUR very checklist for making sure the ELD compliance:
- General information about the fleet: This includes information about the vehicles — Registration information, identification numbers, RODS, equivalent documents, etc.
- Training confirmation documents: You should keep track of the training sessions of the drivers about the Electronic Logging Device software usage.
- Vendor Information for assistance: You should be in the vendor’s touch to help you with your fleet, whenever you need.
How the ELD Mandate Is More Than Just A Digital Transformation?
Absolute safety: ELD has helped assure the safe driving practices of drivers. With technology that keeps a track record of their driving… They follow the total HOS compliance, the speed limits, and other protocols.
Efficiency in recordkeeping: ELD software gets the traditional paper logs and old devices off the highway. Manual logs had room for human error, these advanced machines don’t. This also allows the fleets to operate more smoothly and with peace of mind.
Real-Time Tracking: With electronic logging devices, you can track hours, the live location of your vehicle, the driving approach of the driver, and more. This helps the fleet manager keep an eye on and ensure that their operations are running the way they should be. These ELDs even notify the driver when (s)he is getting closer to the end of the availability hours.
The Drivers’ Job Gets Easier: The ELD mandate has been a huge convenience for drivers. With an ELD installed with their vehicle, they do not need to juggle back-and-forth phone calls with source point and destination. The information about their availability and progress can now be shared with just a couple clicks.
Saves Time And Effort: The fleet managers, the drivers, and the inspection authorities… ELD helps them ALL save time and reduce the effort they were putting otherwise in the inspection process. All the information is now digitally available, easy to go through, and much faster to process.
The Holistic Well-Being: One of the best things about the ELD mandates is that they keep the entire driving process in control. With digital tracking, the drivers know their limits. They drive safely and the overall accident ratio gets reduced. They follow the best driving practices, and by doing that, they can save on fuel consumption and other maintenance costs.
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