Electronic Logging Devices- Everything You Need to Know in 2023

If a company operates a fleet, ELD compliance is an important topic that they should know for a good reason. Truck drivers and carriers are increasingly using electronic logging devices (ELDs) to record activities, and the federal government’s recent ELD regulation has made this the new industry norm. With trucking being one of the most frequent vocations in the United States, the ELD regulation will have a significant influence.

Read on to learn more about the ELDs and the necessary mandates for 2023.

What Exactly Is an ELD?

ELDs, often known as electronic logbooks or “e-logs,” plays a very important role in fleet management. Electronic logging devices (ELDs) are typically tiny, GPS-like devices; however, authorized smartphones and other wireless devices can also be utilized.

The acquired data is tough to amend after the fact, with protections prohibiting both drivers and managers from making changes on their own. The ELD is intended to make it easier for safety inspectors to convey information during roadside inspections, safety audits, and investigations. Officials review an ELD’s “output file” to discover potential hours of service (HOS) violations.

What Is the ELD Mandate?

The ELD mandate merely states that drivers who previously kept records of duty status (RODS) must now keep them using an ELD. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) keeps track of authorized ELDs that meet the mandate’s requirements. An ELD must be positioned in a permanent position that is visible to the driver at all times.

The ELD mandate requires the deployment of ELDs for relevant carriers by December 2017. It was initiated by the MAP-21 Act in 2012. Carriers with drivers who were already using authorized AOBRDs at the time have until December 2019 to make the changeover.

The regulation establishes design and performance criteria for approved ELDs, necessitates their registration with the FMCSA, and specifies how long carriers must keep drivers’ RODS data. It also includes safeguards to protect drivers from “harassment” based on ELD data, making it more difficult for carriers to compel drivers into HOS infractions.

The mandate also requires drivers to have :

• ELD user’s manual
• ELD malfunction instruction sheet
• An instruction document outlining the data transmission procedures of the ELD and how to provide HOS records to an authority.
• Blank, backup RODS graph grids for documenting the driver’s duty status and other pertinent information.

Who Is Impacted by the ELD Mandate?

The ELD mandate affects the majority of commercial vehicle drivers. Apart from particular exemptions, this encompasses interstate commerce vehicles that fulfill any of the following descriptions:

• Weighs more than 10,000 pounds
• Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds.
• Used for transporting more than 15 passengers (driver included), not for compensation
• Transporting hazardous materials

What Is the Major Impact of ELDs?

ELDs have now superseded traditional logbooks and less advanced automated onboard recording devices as the industry standard for fleet management (AOBRDs). An ELD device is used in conjunction with fleet management software (FMS), which carriers utilize to handle various elements of transportation activities, including real-time vehicle monitoring.

What Type of Information Do ELDs Record?

ELDs are telematic devices that can record and transmit data across vast distances efficiently and more accurately compared to paper logs. All records of duty statuses’ (RODS) can be recorded in the e-log using electronic logging equipment.

The following are included, although are not limited to:

• Hours of Service (HOS) of the commercial vehicle operators.
• Engine hours and diagnostics
• Engine speed, miles traveled, and fuel efficiency
• Real-time GPS tracking
• Dangerous driving behavior, such as accidents and hard braking

Why Do Commercial Truck Drivers Use ELDs?

To comply with the FMCSA’s ELD regulation, most CMV operators utilize ELDs to monitor and record an operator’s drive time via an electronic logbook (i.e., e-log). While this is the primary role of most ELD devices, they may also be utilized to aid in commercial fleet management.

Depending on the type of electronic logging equipment, they can improve fleet safety and sustainability and make the fleet more efficient. In addition to complying with the ELD regulation, companies utilize ELD Devices in the following ways:

• Maintenance of vehicle
• Complete electronic DVIRs (electronic driver vehicle inspection reports)
• Monitoring a driver’s safety
• Enhance loss prevention efforts by monitoring, preventing, and reporting security vulnerabilities.
• Decrease fuel usage by training drivers to be more efficient and enabling coaching based on real-time data reporting.

How Do ELDs Record and Transmit Data?

ELDs may communicate data in a variety of ways. The majority of electronic logging devices communicate with a truck’s onboard diagnostic (OBD) port by sending data straight from the engine. This covers gasoline usage, distance traveled, and so on.

Most ELD systems feature a GPS tracker that alerts fleet management to the truck’s current position. They can submit data to the Department of Transportation (DOT) during roadside inspections in addition to providing data to fleet management.

How Can ELD Device Data Be Transferred?

ELD data can be transferred through Bluetooth or cellular data plan to the operator’s Android or iOS mobile app, allowing them to effectively register hours of service. Depending on the ELD supplier, it may also include a built-in WiFi hotspot to assist drivers in obtaining vital information such as:

• Emails for work
• Electronic work orders
• Mobile apps and important resources

How to Transfer ELD Data to the DOT in Case of a Road Inspection?

In general, the DOT utilizes roadside inspections to ensure that drivers comply with the ELD mandate and HOS laws. It implies that the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) can stop a commercial motor vehicle operator at any time to review the driver’s record of duty status for the preceding week.

This guarantees that companies follow federal requirements. To do this, an ELD system must, at the very least, facilitate local data transmission via USB with the MCSAP roadside inspector. Federal rules, however, permit data transfers over Wireless Web Service (on a secure server) and encrypted email. The FMCSA generally encourages data transmissions using Wireless Web Service.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who Needs an ELD?

The federal ELD mandate requires most trucking businesses and owner-operators to deploy an ELD system. In exceptional instances, a driver or transportation firm may be exempt from installing an electronic logging device.

How Much Does an ELD Cost?

The cost of an ELD device might vary greatly. According to the FMCSA, the average cost per vehicle is $495. The monthly cost of an ELD service varies, but it is normally between $15 and $40.

Go for ELDs in 2023 and Become More Efficient

Electronic logging devices have become an integral part of the trucking industry and have brought about significant changes in the way drivers and companies manage their hours of service. In 2023, ELDs are expected to continue to evolve and become even more sophisticated, offering improved accuracy, data analysis, and connectivity. While there have been concerns about the cost and implementation of ELDs, they have ultimately been shown to enhance safety on the roads and increase efficiency for drivers and companies alike. As the trucking industry continues to adapt to new technology and regulations, ELDs will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of transportation.