The bots on social media platforms have been slamming anyone who expressed a mild interest in trucking with posts about truckers being pulled from the roads because they can’t read a children’s book and an increasing number of reports about ELD frauds.
(Or is it just me? I didn’t think so.)
And sometimes, those two topics appear to be linked. Bad trucking companies are hiring untrained, illiterate drivers and then using multiple methods to bypass the government-mandated hours-of-service (HOS) limitations.
ELD Mandate
Before the electronic logging device (ELD) mandate went into effect in 2017, truckers had the option of using paper logs. A trucker would carry a notebook that tracked driving hours by hand. Paper logs were easy to edit and unreliable in dishonest truckers’ hands. The restrictions on driving times were (and remain) constraints on responsible truckers who could drive more hours safely, but the introduction of ELDs was designed to stop truckers from lying about their HOS.
It didn’t take long for truckers and trucking companies to find ways around the ELD tracking systems. The ELD mandate went into effect in December, 2017. In 2018, we saw reports of ELD fraud.
Many truckers claimed that the HOS restrictions were too great. Shippers wanted their deliveries faster. More time on the road meant more profit for the truckers and the logistics companies. But they weren’t the only ones who were cheating the system
Self-certification for ELD Companies
When the ELD mandate was first announced. the process for ELD companies to get their product on the FMCSA approved list was self-certification. The companies submitted documentation to the government, but the government didn’t test the ELDs. Over time, some ELDs have been removed from the list.
TruckingOffice was once contacted by the DOT for a problem with our ELD and we responded immediately with a plan to solve it. That’s how the system works.
Of course, some companies found a less ethical way around the problems with their products. Instead of fixing the problems, they simply rebrand and get back on the approved ELD list again. If that isn’t ELD fraud, we don’t know what is.
Honorable and Honest Truckers
We believe the majority of independent owner-operator truckers are honest and honorable people. They may not like the HOS restrictions and hate the ELD, but they comply with the rules. They just want to run their businesses and an ELD is required.
That’s why ELD companies that rebrand non-working equipment, it costs money when an honest trucker buys a bad ELD. They’re throwing hard-earned money away.
New Certifications for Safe ELD Purchases
In 2025. FMCSA has announced new certification processes to limit ELD fraud. Technology has changed in the last eight years. The new regulations address those updates.
- Upgrades to 4G or 5G
- Better data transfer to make roadside inspections easier
- Enhanced security protocols.
The new standards will improve truckers’ experience with the ELD. The job of the independent owner-operator is to research the options on the registered ELD list of approved equipment. Choosing a product that’s been on the list from the very beginning like TruckingOffice ELD can help a trucker know they’re not buying bad equipment. Having a reputation for quality and consistent customer service is a good sign that this ELD is a safe investment.
Using a delisted ELD can lead to problems. On the road inspectors might find an ELD that’s been removed from the register – and that means that the trucker is out of compliance. They could put the truck out of service. Fines and penalties? Log violations? HOS citations? Is it worth it? Nope! It’s smart to get a compliant device onboard before the deadline.
What Should the Honest Owner-Operator do?
Technology and current standards from the government are changing. Checking the ELD registry to verify equipment is a simple task a trucker could do while waiting for a shipping crew to finish their work. Using an established brand with support and updates for their E-Log device helps protect an independent trucker from wasting money. Good equipment helps drivers stay on the road, not have to worry about compliance at an inspection, and have confidence in the produced reports.
If you’re looking for a reliable, compliant, easy to install and easy to use ELD, consider TruckingOffice ELD.
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