Whether you’re starting a new trucking company or trying to cut expenses, finding legal e-logs is one of those tasks that has to be done early in the start-up, or as soon as possible to save money.
What Are Legal E-Logs?
Legal e-logs are electronic logging devices (ELDs) that meet the FMCSA requirement to record a driver’s Hours of Service (HOS). When we talk about legal, we’re talking about a compliant ELD. There are many e-logs out there to choose from — the question is which one is the best purchase.
ELDs (or e-logs) started as a way to track freight and drivers. Then the FMCSA created a requirement that all interstate truckers needed to use an ELD that was compliant – that it would track the Hours of Service that a driver was on the road.
The goal was to reduce the number of accidents on the road by exhausted drivers. As time has gone on, those HOS records have become only one part of their role.
- GPS
- Load tracking
- Driver tracking – speed, routes, reckless driving
- Fuel consumption monitoring
- Maintenance records
- And many other uses.
An ELD must track HOS. That’s it. Legal E-Logs track a driver’s driving and working time. All those other things are bells and whistles.
E-Logs Without Contracts
Most ELD or E-Log producers require contracts. They spent all that development money – and they want to get it back. Using year-long contracts maximizes their return on investment. That’s good for them. But is it good for independent owner-operators or small fleets?
Independent owner-operators don’t need GPS tracking when they’re driving the load.
Small fleet managers may not need maintenance records through their ELD.
All they need is a reliable, low-cost, COMPLIANT legal e-log.
That’s what TruckingOffice ELDs are. Buy the equipment and use the services on a month to month basis. If you know you’re not going to be hauling freight during the winter, why pay for months that you don’t need it?
TruckingOffice ELD has been compliant since 2017. Providing accurate records for HOS, this TruckingOffice ELD has consistently provided legal e-logs for truckers. Protecting your data is TruckingOffice’s primary concern. Whether you only need an ELD or if you see the value of using a trucking management system for your trucking business that integrates with your legal e-log, we’ve got you covered. Check us out today!
Legal E-Logs FAQ
What are legal e-logs?
Legal e-logs are compliant electronic logging devices (ELDs) that track a driver’s Hours of Service — their driving and working time. The FMCSA requires interstate truckers to use a compliant ELD, with the goal of reducing accidents caused by exhausted drivers.
Does an ELD need GPS tracking or fuel monitoring to be legal?
No. An ELD must track Hours of Service — that’s it. GPS and driver tracking, fuel consumption monitoring and maintenance records are bells and whistles. Many independent owner-operators don’t need GPS tracking while driving the load, and small fleet managers may not need maintenance records through their ELD.
Do I need a long-term contract to get an ELD?
Not always. Most ELD producers require contracts, often year-long, to recover their development costs. With TruckingOffice ELD you buy the equipment and use the service month to month, so if you won’t be hauling freight during the winter, you don’t pay for months you don’t need.
Is TruckingOffice ELD compliant?
Yes. TruckingOffice ELD has been compliant since 2017 and provides accurate Hours of Service records, giving truckers legal e-logs without a long-term contract.
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