Trucker’s Guide to the ELD mandate
Trucker’s Guide to the ELD mandate
Back in 2012, President Obama signed the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century bill This effectively modernized the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and required the FMCSA to issue an Electronic Logging Device (ELD) mandate. Trucking fleets were given 5 years to adapt to the ELD mandate, which replaced paper driver logs that had been required since 1937.
What is an ELD?
An ELD is a device that connects with the engine of a commercial rig to electronically log a trucker’s hours of service requirements.
Why Were ELDs Mandated?
ELDs were mandated because, unfortunately, drivers and fleet managers did not always take the official hours of service rules seriously. While not all, many drivers were found to flout the rules designed to give proper rest to the driver. With an ELD, such flouting of the rules is minimal.
What Does an ELD Track?
An ELD is designed to record data such as:
- Engine power status
- Vehicle motion status
- Miles driven
- Engine hours
- Identification of the user
- The user’s duty status
What Exactly Does an ELD Record?
An ELD records:
- Whether the driver is on or off duty
- Whether the driver is in a sleeping berth
- Whether the driver is on duty and driving
- Whether the driver is on duty but engaged in activities such as completing paperwork or loading and unloading the truck
- The identity of the driver through a log-in
- The driver’s location by city and state, or if not in a city, identifying information such as the highway number and the nearest milepost
What Are Acceptable ELD Devices?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has an extensive list of ELDs certified by their manufacturers to meet FMCSA rules.
The device must be able to automatically track:
- Vehicle miles
- Engine hours
- Date and time
- Location
- Vehicle ID
- Driver data
- Carrier information
Are There Exemptions?
Yes, there are several exemptions:
- Vehicles built before 2000
- Drivers whose routes go no further than 100 miles (may use timecards)
- Tow-away vehicles
- RVs
- Freight vehicles that travel no more than a 150-mile radius
Are There Fines for Non-Compliance?
Yes. The FMCSA can fine a carrier or independent operator significantly. The average violation costs about $2,000, although fines for hazardous vehicles or passenger carriers can be much more.
One very good reason why a carrier or independent operator must make sure their vehicles have the proper truck repair. If the ELD fails to report the proper information due to faulty or ignored truck repair, the FMCSA can ground the vehicle and the driver.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, the ELD requirement is a great leap in safety for long-haul truckers. Ensuring that drivers get the proper rest required has already resulted in far fewer accidents on the road due to overtired drivers.
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