What is an ELD
An ELD can be described as an electronic device for logging that is used by the drivers in commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) to record automatically the time of their drive as well as hours of Service (HOS) records and also to record information about the motor, movements and miles traveled. The ELD keeps dispatchers and truck drivers aware of the status of their driver in real time to aid in the compliance of the fleet, as well as inspections and plan.
ELDs comprise many parts, which include an electronic device for tracking vehicles that is connected to the vehicle as well as a fleet management software, and an application for mobile phones.
What is an ELD’s job?
An ELD is integrated with the engine of the vehicle to record the time of driving for precise hours of Service (HOS.) How does an ELD function? It works because the ELD communicates directly to a vehicle’s engine, and captures driving information along with other data such as the number of hours that an engine runs, its status, the location of the vehicle and miles traveled.
The telematics device will then transmit engines and GPS location information to a server. duty status logs are generated and uploaded into the ELD mobile app to be viewed. The data is continuously being updated.
Drivers are able to access their electronic log information via the ELD mobile application on their tablet or smartphone. The mobile application is linked to the fleet management software to ensure that compliance and fleet managers can track and analyze compliance with aid from ELD-related reports as well as maps and notifications.
Who is the person who needs an ELD?
If a person is able to keep eight or more days in duty logs over a period for a total of 30, they’ll need an ELD. The FMCSA permits exceptions in the case of drivers who aren’t required to keep a Record of Duty Status (RODS) and also as:
- Drivers who make use of RODS are not allowed to use them for more than eight consecutive days within any 30 day period
- Drivers of vehicles with a the model year 2000
- Drivers who driveaway-towaway, so in the event that the car they drive makes up part of the shipping.
If you want to determine if your company has been affected by ELD transport rule check on the FMCSA web site.
What are the advantages of ELDs?
Electronic logging devices have numerous advantages for companies. The most important benefit is that electronic logs can increase safety of drivers through stricter compliance with Hours of Service regulations, which reduces fatigue of drivers. Eliminating paper logbooks can also improve the accuracy of recording and reduces time.
Benefits of ELD for top carriers
- Improve safety of drivers and save lives
- Make it easier to keep Records of Duty Status (RODS)
- Improve hours of Service compliance by automating the recording of duty status for drivers
- Reducing paperwork burdens drivers as well as office personnel
- Reduce time and cost on administration of the office
- Eliminate the risk of mistakes by automating tracking
ELDs built on open platform telematics technologies can also offer additional benefits:
- Assistance for tax on fuel (IFTA) in addition to International Registration Plan (IRP) reporting of mileage
- Reports on vehicle inspections
- Monitoring the use of fuel
- Engine fault reporting allows for proactive maintenance of vehicles.
- Receipts and invoices scanning
- Access to real-time information ELDs are a vital link to information that can be used to improve overall efficiency and productivity of the fleet.
ELD compliance timetable
In the year 2015 in 2015, in 2015, the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued an order on ELDs that required motor drivers and carriers who keep documents of their duty status (RODS) to transition to electronic logs. The primary purposes for the ELD regulations are to enhance road safety and to simplify the hours of service monitoring as well as records of duty status (RODS) for drivers of buses and trucks.
The Canadian transportation ministry is looking to issue new regulations on electronic log-in within Canada that will go into the force on June 20, 2021.
The history along with the time line of ELDs
The FMCSA has created a phased-in schedule to ensure ELD compliance. It allows the time to be aware and prepare for transition.
March 14 — FMCSA issued an official notice of proposed rulemaking which detailed changes to its safety regulations in order to create the ELD obligation, and comments to the rulemaking proposal are due in May 14th, 2014.
10 December 2015December 10, 2015 – FMCSA released its ELD mandate’s final decision.
18 December 2017Deadline for drivers who use paper logs to change to electronic logs.
