The deadline to make sure you’re electronic logging device (ELD) compliant is looming. Check out these FAQs about being ELD-compliant. If you’re a commercial driver, how do you measure your hours of service? Unless you’re using an approved electronic logging device or ELD, you could face serious penalties in fewer than two months.
First published on December 15, 2015, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)’s ELD Rule mandates that all drivers and carriers required to maintain records of duty service (RODS) should use ELDs for accurate time tracking.
By December 18, 2017, all covered drivers were required to use either an LOD or an AOBRD (automatic onboard recording device) to complete this effort. However, by December 16, 2019, AOBRDs are no longer allowed.
Are you ready to comply? If not, there’s still time to catch up. Today, we’re sharing how to become ELD-compliant in time for the deadline.
Ready to learn more? Let’s get started!
WHAT IS THE ELD RULE?
For decades, commercial drivers tracked their time manually or via clunky spreadsheets. While effective in its own right, this kind of housekeeping is clunky at best and inaccurate at worst.
Now, ELD technology allows them to complete this same step automatically, capturing updates in real-time. Useful for truck drivers, bus drivers and other commercial vehicle drivers, these devices integrate GPS data with vehicle engine data to generate accurate, informative electronic timekeeping logs.
To achieve this integration, technicians can hardwire ELDs into a vehicle’s engine. Or, they can allow the device to “connect” virtually to the engine via a Bluetooth connection. As a result, they’re able to keep a constant record of a driver’s Hours of Service, or HOS.
In addition, it can also help drivers keep track of other relevant HOS metrics and log data, including:
- International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) mileage
- Revolutions per Minute (RPM)
- Total number of miles driven
- Engine hours
Since its inception in 2015, this rule has undergone transformation and updates. You can view the full timeline for important rollout dates, including the December 16, 2019 rule that calls for mandatory use of ELDs.
WHO MUST FOLLOW THE ELD RULE?
If you’re a driver or motor carrier required to keep paper records of duty service (RODs), the ELD Rule likely applies to you.
What are RODs? In short, these are logs wherein you’ll record every change in the vehicle’s duty status.
While they can be advantageous, not every driver is required to use ELDs. For instance, drivers who use the time card exception don’t keep paper RODs and as such, they won’t be required to have an on-board ELD.
In addition, there are some drivers who can skip this step and stick with paper RODs, including:
- Drivers whose duties fall under short-haul exceptions
- Drivers who use paper RODs for eight or fewer days out of every 30-day period
- Drivers who provide driveaway/towaway services
- Drivers who operate vehicles manufactured prior to 2000
WHAT ELD DOCUMENTATION DO I NEED?
In addition to purchasing and using an approved ELD, commercial drivers are also required to keep an ELD information packet onboard their commercial motor vehicle, or CMV. The packet must contain the following items:
- A driver’s manual that explains how to operate the ELD
- An information sheet that explains how the ELD’s data transfer tools work and the steps required to create and transfer HOS records to authorized safety officials
- An information sheet that explains the technical reason behind common ELD malfunctions and the reporting procedures to take if the device needs maintenance
- An adequate supply of blank RODS spreadsheets (graph/grids) that can serve as a backup recording system for at least eight days
While the above-mentioned resources are commonly distributed in paper form, the rule allows drivers to procure and use the electronic versions of the following forms where available:
- Driver’s manual
- Instruction sheet
- Malfunction instruction sheet
In addition, the above resources can also be accessible on a smartphone or other wireless device as long as the device in question meets the technical standards set forth by the ELD mandate.
HOW CAN I CHOOSE A QUALITY ELECTRONIC LOGGING DEVICE?
To advertise and sell their ELD devices on the market, manufacturers are required to self-certify that they meet the rule standards. They must also register their solution with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
For their parr, motor carriers and drivers must do their due diligence to ensure that any ELD device they install is included in the FSMCAS’s online list of certified and registered products. Failing to take this step could mean installing an unauthorized device and facing penalties for non-compliance.
This is why it’s important to do your homework, making sure that the ELD manufacturer in question meets these stringent requirements.
To ensure you’re using a registered device, you’ll need to check both the registration list and the revocation list on a regular basis. You can find a complete list of both registered and revoked ELDs here.
If an ELD is ever revoked and removed from the registration list, the FMCSA will notify the public, along with all affected drivers. For this reason, it’s smart to sign up for ELC updates from the agency. This way, you’ll be one of the first ones to know if a device’s status changes.
WHY CHOOSE PGT TECHNOLOGIES?
When you partner with us, you never have to wonder if our devices are registered or effective. We’re up-to-date on all FMCSA regulations, featuring tech-savvy products that eliminate guesswork and deliver accurate results.
By partnering with some of the top solutions providers in the country, we’ve created a vehicle tracking platform that covers every aspect of fleet management, including:
- Dashcams
- Asset Tracking and Management
- GPS Fleet Tracking
- ELD Compliance Management
TYPES OF ELD DEVICES TO CONSIDER
Let’s take a closer look at a few of the different types of ELD devices we offer and how they can help you become compliant. If one catches your eye, remember that we offer a free demo for any product or service we offer, so you’re free to try it for yourself!
An important part of fleet management, our dashcams feature dual HD lenses, enabling you to obtain a complete view of anything that happens on the road. At the same time, SD card or LTE camera systems get to work recording, so you never miss any important detail.
Our platform offers a user-friendly ELD solution. It also facilitates workforce, vehicle and asset management.
We’re able to achieve this centralized approach via machine-to-machine data communication based on the world’s most reliable networks. Our GO Series hardware and Geotab software make it easier than ever to keep track of your myriad assets and make sure they’re generating the ROI you expect.
Busy fleet managers need a quick way to make sure both their assets and their team members are secure. This is why our GPS fleet tracking tools are invaluable.
With these resources, managers can gain instant visibility into the status of any asset, anywhere, at any time. The solution includes a suite of products that all utilize specially-configured GPS positions and sensors to obtain and send data in the most effective way possible, including over a cellular, satellite or WiFi signal.
Omnitracs Solutions for ELD Compliance Management
One of the top names in the ELD industry, Omnitracs has a stellar reputation for delivering some of the highest-quality ELD products on the market, designed to help drivers meet compliance requirements. A few of the recommended ELD products under the Omnitracs ELD compliance solution include:
Intelligent Vehicle Gateway (IVG)
This Omnitracs’ comprehensive, total ELD solution. Easy to install in 30 minutes or less, the solution includes user-friendly features and an intuitive interface. Seamless integration and flexible network connections make it one of the go-to options on the market.
Omnitracs XRS
Drivers who prefer a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) ELD solution will appreciate Omnitracs XRS. Available for instant use with zero upfront hardware costs and minimal monthly fees, this electronic tool is deployable across a range of devices. Like the IVG, it also features an intuitive interface and driver-friendly accessibility.
Routing, Dispatch, and Compliance
Omnitracs’ RDC solution is the back-office answer to effective fleet management. In 15 minutes, your team can be ELD compliant without any modifications to existing vehicles. Robust platform features include:
- Intelligent error detection logic
- Insight into actual versus planned data
- Updates on same-day route plan changes
FIND AN ELD SOLUTION TODAY AND STAY COMPLIANT
If you don’t already have an ELD installed, you’re not out of luck. There’s still plenty of time to procure and install one before the upcoming deadline. The key to becoming compliant (and staying that way) is to make sure you’re using a registered and approved electronic logging device from a reputable, industry-leading provider. That’s where we come in. As one of the top ELD and Fleet GPS tracking providers in the nation, we’re proud to offer a range of solutions designed to fit every need.
Still have questions? Want to take advantage of a free demo?
