Many businesses with commercial fleets are legally required to equip their vehicles with electronic logging devices (ELDs). These devices automatically track relevant driver and vehicle information, which is important for ensuring compliance with federal safety regulations. ELDs can also help you make operational improvements by analyzing driver data.
Here’s everything you need to know about ELDs, including how they work, ELD mandate requirements, and best practices for implementation.
What is an ELD?
An ELD is a technology used in commercial vehicles to record driving hours and vehicle information automatically. ELDs connect directly to a truck's engine to track driving time, hours of service (HOS) records, miles driven, and vehicle location.
ELDs typically integrate with fleet management software and a mobile app, allowing drivers and fleet managers to access real-time data about the vehicle and driver. This allows businesses to analyze patterns and make adjustments accordingly to improve operations.
“Beyond regulatory compliance, [ELDs] reduce administrative burdens by automating logbooks, minimize the risk of human error, and help businesses avoid costly fines,” explained Sherry Calkins, Senior Vice President, Global Strategic Accounts at Geotab.
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What is the ELD mandate?
The ELD mandate, introduced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), requires commercial vehicle drivers to use ELDs rather than paper logs and older automatic recording devices. The mandate, initially signed into law in 2015 and enforced beginning in 2019, was created to improve the accuracy of driving records and reduce the risk of accidents caused by driver fatigue.
The ELD mandate applies to commercial vehicle drivers, who are typically required to keep records of duty status (RODS). If your business relies on a fleet of drivers, it will most likely need to comply with the mandate. Failure to do so can result in fines and penalties, including the possibility of a vehicle being placed “out of service” until compliance is achieved.
However, there are a few exceptions: Short-haul drivers operating within a 150-air-mile radius, vehicles manufactured before 2000, and certain driveaway-towaway operations are exempt from ELD mandate requirements.
Beyond regulatory compliance, [ELDs] reduce administrative burdens by automating logbooks, minimize the risk of human error, and help businesses avoid costly fines.
Sherry Calkins, Senior Vice President, Global Strategic Accounts at Geotab
ELD regulations and requirements
The FMCSA has set several key requirements and regulations for ELDs to ensure they meet safety and compliance standards. Under the FMCSA, all ELDs must:
- Be registered with the FMCSA and have manufacturer certification.
- Meet specific technical specifications, including synchronization with the vehicle’s engine.
- Automatically record vehicle location via GPS technology, as well as driving time and details.
- Allow for data transfer via wireless methods such as email, Bluetooth, or USB.
- Be tamper-proof to ensure the accuracy of the data.
- Allow drivers to certify their records every 24 hours.
- Have a display for safety officials to view logs on-screen or on paper.
In addition to these technical requirements, all drivers must maintain an ELD information packet in their vehicles. This information must include the ELD’s user manual, instructions for transferring data, and a supply of blank driver’s RODS graph grids.
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Best practices for using ELDs
ELDs collect near-constant data on your drivers and their vehicles. Beyond keeping your business compliant, these devices offer key driver and route efficiency insights.
“You shouldn’t see ELDs as a way to micromanage drivers, necessarily, but … as a tool to improve your overall operations and identify areas of improvement,” said Jennifer Fink, Freight Factoring Operations Manager at altLINE.
Jeffery Benore, President and CEO of Benore Logistic Systems, Inc., agreed, adding that ELDs can help you streamline data collection, reduce paperwork, and enable proactive maintenance scheduling.
“Our implementation of ELDs has enhanced operational efficiency, improved driver satisfaction by simplifying workflows, and ensured we maintain our unwavering focus on safety and compliance,” Benore noted.
To maximize the benefits of ELDs and ensure smooth implementation, here are some best practices to follow:
- Provide regular training. Educate drivers on how to use ELD systems and why they are essential for safety and regulatory compliance, allowing opportunities for hands-on practice.
- Prioritize transparency and operational efficiency. To gain buy-in and ensure better outcomes, be transparent about what information you’re collecting and why—to improve your fleet’s operations. For example, you might use vehicle location data to optimize routes and reduce fuel consumption.
- Solicit driver feedback. Regularly gather feedback from your drivers about the usability and performance of the ELD system. These insights can be crucial for identifying and addressing areas of improvement.
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