Looking at the cost of running an owner operator trucking business isn’t just for newbies to the industry. Examining every expense may be tedious, but it’s critical to keeping a trucking company running. We talk often about Trucker Stats™ – data analysis of costs and revenue of a trucking business – but it doesn’t take any deep thought to look at recurring expenses and try to find a cheaper way. Is it possible to find E Logs without contracts?
Yes, you can. Like E Logs.
A no contract ELD is an electronic logging device that meets the ELD mandate without locking a trucker into a long-term service agreement. It records driving hours exactly the way a contract device does — what changes is the billing commitment, not the compliance.
ELD Mandate
The ELD mandate is the 2017 federal rule that requires trucks to record a driver’s driving hours with an ELD or e log. Since the mandate took effect, the ELD industry has exploded with extras — extras that the developers want to be paid for with long-term contracts.
Do truckers need the bells and whistles? Not really. At least, the laws don’t require GPS for package tracking or monitoring a driver’s braking. Those extras have been implemented as upgrades as big trucking companies have expressed interest in having those details about drivers.
But the simplest E Log requirements are all a trucker needs. And when cutting costs, it’s obvious that having more than the mandate requires jacks up the cost of the equipment.
ELogs Without Contracts
If the overhead expenses of a trucking business need to be cut but the drivers must be in compliance, what’s the solution?
Take a look at the E Log contract. How much does it cost? Is it worth it?
That contract could cost far more than the value it provides. Especially if the trucker isn’t on the road every day. Part-time truckers who don’t work from January to April still have to make those monthly payments.
If an E Log contract is one expense a trucker wants to cut, they need other options. Non-compliance comes with fines and penalties, which makes finding the right solution important. Getting a cheaper ELD might be the better solution.
There are some stand-alone ELDs. One-time price, but no data service. And with the rise of Highway, using a no data service ELD might lead to fewer loads as brokers and Highway are demanding access to the rig’s ELD data.
We’re not saying that’s a bad option, but having backup data is useful. It’s the contract that isn’t.
Is there a difference between an ELD or E Log?
No, no difference. Maybe it’s like “soda” or “pop” or “coke” for what we call carbonated drinks – it depends on where you live what you call it.
Whether you call it an ELD or an E Log, it’s the same thing.
The difference is the contract. Do you need a contract? TruckingOffice doesn’t think so.
We offer a no-contract ELD. E Logs without contract – whatever you call it. 😉
Plus – and here’s the TruckingOffice extra – the TruckingOffice ELD ties directly into the TruckingOffice PRO TMS – trucking software. What does that mean to an independent truck owner?
- The most accurate IFTA reports (and IRP too!)
- Automated ret-con uploads and expense receipts uploads.
- Secure access to accounting software to get invoices sent ASAP (and track their payments.)
- Maintenance compliance and records kept automatically and ready on demand.
- Trucker Stats™ to build a successful trucking company.
Are you ready to try the simplest no contract ELD?
Take control of your trucking business expenses! Check out TruckingOffice’s ELD. Our no-contract system uses your own equipment – smart phone or tablet. The installation process is simple. The vehicle interface device is inserted into the electronic control module port. Open the app and you’re ready to go.
Contact TruckingOffice for more information about the no contract ELD for your trucking business. When you figure out how much money you’ll save and stay compliant, you won’t miss those contracts.
No Contract ELD FAQs
What is a no contract ELD?
A no contract ELD is an electronic logging device that keeps a trucker compliant with the ELD mandate without a long-term service agreement. TruckingOffice offers one that runs on equipment the driver already owns — a smart phone or tablet — with a vehicle interface device inserted into the electronic control module port. Open the app and you are ready to go.
Is there a difference between an ELD and an E Log?
No. An ELD and an E Log are the same thing. The two names are regional habits, much like calling a carbonated drink soda, pop, or coke. Whatever you call it, the real difference between products is the contract attached to it.
Does the ELD mandate require GPS tracking or braking monitoring?
No. The 2017 ELD mandate requires trucks to track the hours a trucker is driving. The laws do not require GPS for package tracking or monitoring a driver’s braking. Those extras were added as upgrades because large trucking companies wanted that detail about their drivers, and they raise the cost of the equipment.
Are stand-alone ELDs with no data service a good option?
A stand-alone ELD carries a one-time price and no data service, which looks cheap on paper. The catch is access to data: with the rise of Highway, brokers are demanding access to a rig’s ELD data, so a no-data-service device can lead to fewer loads. Backup data is useful — it is the contract that isn’t.
Why do ELD contracts cost part-time truckers more?
An ELD contract bills every month whether the truck rolls or not. A part-time trucker who doesn’t work from January to April still has to make those monthly payments, so the contract can cost far more than the value it provides.
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