One of the most important parts of owning an ELD is understanding how to remain compliant with the FMCSA. Initially, after the “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century” bill was passed in 2012, trucking companies had until 2017 to implement an ELD. Its purpose is to record the number of hours a truck driver has driven. Trucks then had until 2019 to make sure that their device was up to the right compliance standards.

How an ELD Complies 

According to the FMCSA, the ELD mandate applies to more than 3 million commercial truck drivers. These drivers must all have working, compliant ELDs onboard their vehicles. The only drivers who do not require a compliant ELD are towaway operation drivers, drivers of a vehicle with a pre-2000 model engine, and short-haul drivers who do not require a record of duty status. 

A compliant ELD must include some particular features. Firstly, an ELD must automatically record a driver’s duty status and the amount of time they spend driving their vehicle. The electronic logging device must also be able to quickly show law enforcement logs from the previous seven days. An ELD must be tamper-proof so that reports cannot be altered or falsified. 

Even smartphones and tablets can meet compliance for the FMCSA. The FMCSA is aware of how much money the ELD can cost for a trucking company. Therefore, any sort of smartphone or tablet can be used so long as it meets ELD requirements. These devices can make compliance comfortable and easy for drivers. They can use whichever device they are comfortable with, so long as it is either a smartphone or device. Whichever device is used, it must have a hardwired connection to the truck’s engine.

Why Compliance Matters

ELD compliance isn’t there to make life more difficult for trucking companies. According to doctors, drivers who are fatigued from overwork are one of the biggest reasons for vehicle crashes. A compliant ELD records the amount of time a driver is on the road. Officials can see if their company is overworking them. An overworked driver is bound to be less aware of the road when driving and could cause an accident. According to the U.S Department of Transportation, the ELD is the reason why 1844 crashes, 562 injuries, and 26 deaths are avoided each year.

ELD compliance can make a driver’s life much easier. For instance, with a TruckingOffice ELD, there are several features that take no time at all to update. Whereas it previously took much more time to log with paperwork. From the TruckingOffice ELD application’s dashboard, the driver can change their duty status, fix log mistakes, add missing log events, certify daily logs, and quickly show up to seven days of logs. These help with roadside inspections. In addition, this ELD will not allow a driver to tamper and falsify data. A driver can edit mistakes in their logs, but they cannot change the amount of time they have driven.

What Features Should You Look for In an ELD Device?

What do you look for in an ELD to ensure that you get the features you need?  Of course, not every electronic logging device is reliable and accurate.  Also, some won’t have the features you need to ensure DOT compliance. You must research the device itself, but also, the provider.  Here are some things you should expect from an ELD device:

> Is it FMCSA-certified?  First, you should know that the FMCSA doesn’t certify any ELDs.  They allow the manufacturers to “self-certify” their products.  But the list of specifications is complex, and more often than not, it leads to missed items.  Unfortunately, you’ll have only 8 days to replace a non-compliant ELD.

> Revenue-boosting tools.  A good ELD should be able to analyze fuel use, give real-time engine diagnostics, and enable drivers to share vehicle location or shipment arrival information with third parties.

>  User-friendly functionality.  Knowing how to transfer ELD data to a DOT inspector is crucial.  You want to avoid citations for the inability to provide HOS data.

> A provider who is always available.  If you’re dealing with an ELD malfunction, you need quick customer service from the provider.  All the great features in the world won’t make up for a provider who doesn’t answer the phone when you need him.

With TruckingOffice, you’ll have a reliable, certified ELD that is backed up by dependable support any time you need it.

How TruckingOffice Can Help 

TruckingOffice’s electronic logging device is a 100% FMCSA compliant ELD system. It has multiple features that make compliance simple. A truck driver can easily record the times and distance they drive. TruckingOffice’s Bluetooth connective devices ensure that no cellular black-out zones will cause loss of data.

With its easy-to-use dashboard, a driver can easily edit and add to their logbook. For a simple monthly cost of $20 or an annual cost of $240 you can not only ensure a driver’s safety, but you can ensure that your company has more time and more money to spend.