Compared to a decade ago, keeping in touch with a long-distance truck driver these days is easier. Cell phones and emails can reach almost everywhere in the US. But it’s not perfect. Having a backup system to notify drivers of updates is valuable to prevent problems when a rate con is changed. TruckingOffice ELD updates drivers as soon as possible. So how does this work?

Need a refresher on the document itself? Read What Is a Rate Con? to see what a rate confirmation includes.

Still building rate cons by hand? Learn why you shouldn’t depend on rate con templates.

When a load moves to a different carrier without a new rate con, that is double brokering. Read what double brokering is and why it hurts truckers.

TruckingOffice ELD Communicates With Drivers

A rate con change is any update to a load’s rate confirmation after the load has been assigned to a driver — such as a new pickup or delivery location, a different load size, or new handling instructions. TruckingOffice ELD sends those changes to the driver right away, so the trucker on the road and the back office creating the invoice are working from the same information.

For small fleets, a change in a rate confirmation can wreak havoc. When a driver is assigned a load, changing

• a pickup or delivery location,
• the size of the load, or
• handling instructions

is critical information for the driver as well as the back office where the invoices are created.

Sometimes that information is a last-minute change. But if a driver is in a dead zone or taking a well-deserved break from the road, it can be hard to get them the latest information. That’s too important to leave on a voice mail, or hope that a text message will get the driver’s attention if they’re on the road.

ELD (electronic logging devices or E-logs) from TruckingOffice provide a constant contact between the trucker and the front office.

Up to the Moment Contact with Drivers With New Information

TruckingOffice ELD app isn’t just tracking miles per state and hours of service. The ELD App also gives your truckers the current information they need. A changed rate con? The trucker needs to know ASAP. The TruckingOffice ELD sends that information out right away. Critical information on the road isn’t optional – it’s vital that a trucker gets the details right away. That way your drivers aren’t wasting time or fuel.

That’s the difference between a profitable trucking company and a trucking business that fails – the right information in the driver’s hands as soon as possible.

How TruckingOffice ELD Updates Drivers and Tracks IFTA Miles

And as it sends the rate con changes, it’s still doing its job of tracking hours of service. And while it’s taking care of that, it’s also tracking your miles per state to produce the most accurate IFTA report.

Why don’t other trucking ELDs do that? We don’t know. It’s obvious to us that the ELD will track mileage better than any other equipment. That’s why we have the IFTA reporting from the ELD system. So changes in a route because of a new delivery destination don’t mess up that quarterly filing months later. The IFTA data is already stored and ready to file. IFTA reporting software that gives you the most accurate report saves money in overpaid taxes and saves time – no more wasted hours off the road or paying for another software.

Is TruckingOffice ELD FMCSA Compliant?

It always has been. We saw the need for a simple, easy-to-use, and compliant ELD that won’t break the bank for an independent owner operator or small truck fleet. TruckingOffice ELD has never been taken off the FMCSA list of compliant ELDs.

When you’re looking for an e-log or ELD for your trucker drivers, consider TruckingOffice ELD for the ELD updates drivers want and need.

Rate Con Change FAQ

What counts as a rate con change?

A rate con change is any update to a load’s rate confirmation after a driver has been assigned the load. Common examples are a new pickup or delivery location, a change in the size of the load, or new handling instructions. Each one is critical information for the driver and for the back office that creates the invoice.

How does TruckingOffice ELD tell drivers about a rate con change?

The TruckingOffice ELD app sends changed rate con information to the driver right away. Instead of relying on a voicemail or hoping a text gets noticed on the road, the ELD gives you constant contact between the trucker and the front office, so drivers don’t waste time or fuel on outdated details.

Will a new delivery destination mess up my IFTA report?

No. While TruckingOffice ELD sends rate con changes, it keeps tracking hours of service and miles per state. Route changes caused by a new delivery destination are captured as they happen, so the IFTA data is already stored and ready to file at the end of the quarter.

Is TruckingOffice ELD FMCSA compliant?

Yes. TruckingOffice ELD is compliant with the FMCSA and has never been taken off the FMCSA list of compliant ELDs. It was built to be a simple, easy-to-use, affordable ELD for independent owner-operators and small truck fleets.