In 2017, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) kicked-off the new ELD mandate. The mandate stipulates that by December 16, 2019, all commercial motor carriers must have an electronic logging device. The device tracks hours of service. Furthermore, it records vehicle miles, engine hours, date, time, and location.
The mandate replaces previous methods of tracking hours of service (HOS) such as AOBRDs or EOBRs. These keep records of Duty Statuses (RODs). The official federal HOS rules remain the same but will be more easily enforced due to the automatic logging capabilities. ELDs must meet specific standards recommended by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association.
How Will ELD Standards Change in 2020?
Since 2017, the transition to ELD has been gradual. The majority of motor carrier operations added the devices during the first few months of 2018. Operations that were already using AOBRDs have until December 16, 2019, to make the switch to ELDs.
However, by 2020, all US-based commercial motor vehicles must have an ELD installed to be in compliance with the mandate.
So far, enforcement officials have allowed fleet owners and operators time to change to ELDs. However, that window is slowly closing. Drivers may have to do roadside inspections of enforcing the mandate. To avoid penalties, fleet operators and independents need to have the following on-board at all times:
- Paper log sheets as back-up;
- An ELD user manual;
- A certified, registered, regulation-compliant ELD;
- Instruction sheet for reporting ELD malfunctions; and
- Instructions for data transfer mechanisms supported by the ELD.
According to the standards, non-exempt drivers without compliant ELDs or grandfathered AOBRDs will receive a fine. These fines can be hefty. In fact, they can be upwards to thousands of dollars.
Upcoming Issues and Concerns to Think About
Trucking is one of the most common jobs in the United States, and. Implementing the ELD mandate is a massive undertaking. Things are bound to go wrong. In the end, the devices will improve highway safety dramatically. A few concerns have yet to be worked out that can cause issues in the coming months and years. These include:
- ELD isn’t allowed everywhere. Some areas prohibit commercial vehicles from having an ELD. These areas include any US government or government contractor facilities.
- Crowded rest stops. Drivers pushed past their hourly driving limits need to log more frequent rest hours.
- More tickets and fines. Operators who resist complying with the new standard for installing the devices face stiff penalties. However, the number of tickets will drop once drivers and operators have complied with the mandate’s rules.
Start looking for an ELD provider today to ensure that you aren’t caught off-guard. It’s going to take time to make the change and learn how to use the device properly. Also, if you have a fleet, you’ll need plenty of time to train drivers and other personnel on using the system.
TruckingOffice Has the Solution for Your ELD Needs
We know that the federal ELD standards are strict and have few exceptions. We also know that failing to comply with the FMCSA’s ELD mandate is bad for business. That’s why we worked hard to develop a fully compliant ELD solution with owner-operators and small fleet managers in mind.
Switching over to electronic logging devices in your trucks might make you wonder if it could hurt your business. We can assure you that an ELD can benefit your business. This is by saving you both time and money. And you don’t have to worry about implementing some complicated system that has a huge learning curve.
Our ELD works exactly how the government says it should. You get precisely what you need for your trucking business without the unnecessary bells and whistles that other ELD systems are advertising. Simply plug the vehicle interface device (VID) into the electronic control module (ECM) port under the dashboard. Then, the ELD will automatically sync with the vehicle engine and record all the required data.
One of the key benefits of ELDs is the fact that they accurately track driving hours. They ensure Hours of Service (HOS) compliance. This is a critical component of the ELD mandate.
The Trucking Office ELD System
We know that truckers aren’t too happy about the ELD mandate. Also, we know that owner-operators are worried about what kind of impact the new ELD standards will have on their trucking business. We understand these things because we are truckers too, and we know what it’s like to be forced to comply with a new regulation that you aren’t fully on board with. ELDs are designed to record data related to driver activity and truck operation, but what else are the devices recording? Are they expensive? Will they cut into profit margins? These are the kinds of concerns we took into consideration when we developed our Trucking Office ELD system for trucking businesses.
Our ELD system is affordable and easy to learn and use. In fact, it’s already being used by trucking companies small and large to ensure compliance with the new electronic logging device rule. The best thing about our system is that it’s specifically designed for owner-operators and fleet builders looking to get compliant with the ELD mandate. You may not be thrilled about using an ELD, but you are still required to have one in your trucks as of December 2019. So don’t wait to get your fully compliant Trucking Office ELD system.
Get Compliant
With the TruckingOffice ELD System, getting compliant is quick and affordable. The easy plug-and-play feature will have you feeling like a pro in no time. You’ll appreciate the flexibility that allows you to use your own devices. Whether you’re using an Android, iPhone, or tablet, our system is compatible.
Our ELD system is FMCSA certified and highly recommended by truckers. Many are already enjoying the benefits of our product. We have experts available to assist you in any way. Our goal is to make the process of switching is as stress-free as possible.
Time is running out. Get started today to be sure there are no unexpected delays. Sign up for your TruckingOffice ELD System here.
How will this effect a company that runs within the 100 air mile radius?
Do all trucks from the early 1900 to date have to have elf’s now.
Eld’s are creating more problems and less trouble safety. Cost more and less revenue made. Late deliveries and less hometime. It’s unconstitutional for the government to force us to use them and then charge us to use them. This is my truck and my business.
I understand that a lot of people don’t like the ELD mandate, but you have to also remember that you are not in a personal vehicle on vacation. You are running a commercial vehicle on a public highway system, so the government does have the right to create regulations to make travel safe for everyone. I personally believe that it is a case of a few bad apples spoil the bunch. The bad drivers that were out there causing the biggest problems caused the government to create stricter regulations for everyone.
You are absolutely right. I have never drove a truck so tired in my life until the ELD mandates!! This is why traffic fatalities is up 30%. Question is, how many deaths will it take for this to change !
If I, as a driver, have a log violation can the company that I drive for legally go back into my logs and change them to show no violations ever occurred?
No, they can only suggest edits. The driver logs are records from the driver and certified accurate by the driver. However the company is responsible for the logs for 6 months and can be fined for violations. So if they find mistakes in the driver logs, then they should suggest edits to correct the errors.
Are there any regulations for trucks hauling produce as of today_?
I’m not sure what specific information you are looking for about hauling produce. You can search the FMCSA regulations at fmcsa.dot.gov.
Should be 8 hour sleeper birth only to give time for drivers to do other needed,if they do the ten hours it put every driver in the world leaving out in the most crucial time their is ( pep goin to work, people goin to school with kids! And drivers would not be rasing to do everything! Call me I would like to explain!
I know that nobody is happy with this ELD system. The FMCSA stated that driver accidents due to fatigue would drop, but has it really? Well according to national averages, driver accidents have not dropped but then have risen. There was a time in this country that a driver could go into a truck/rest stop and find a place to safely park. Now every truck stop/ rest area are fully maxed out by 4 pm everyday, which forces drivers to park in places that are not very safe I.e. on and off ramps. I just wish that people who make these laws would go drive a truck. Funny though our government has yet to make rules on the common driver that drives their personal vehicle for extended hours, that’s exactly what cause accidents on our roads
Lastly who mandates the HOS fir the very officers who enforce our rules. Many of the officers work even longer hours than us drivers it’s called “overtime” why has nobody asked this question I wonder.
I have a question,I have a truck 2006 which I drive local completely less than 100 miles radius, and I go at least once a month 200. Miles but I use the long distance book
Do I need eld for my truck or it’s the way that I’m doing it?