“What trucks does your ELD work on?” is a question we at TruckingOffice get. We hear it frequently, but most of the time, it’s from hot shot truckers or light duty trucks.

ELD for light duty trucks and box trucks Q&A

Do I need an ELD if I’m driving a light duty truck? What about a box truck?

The short answer is: Yes.

If you’re driving out of state, you need an ELD and to file IFTA. Box trucks and light duty trucks, such as F250 that’s towing a trailer or an auto transport (car trailer) must have an ELD if they’re hauling freight in state but more than 150 miles from their base.

If a trucker, box or hot shot, is subject to the FMCSA, then you should have an ELD.

Does the TruckingOffice ELD work in my light duty truck?

Yes. TruckingOffice’s ELD works in all trucks:

  • 18 wheelers/semis
  • box trucks
  • small trucks
  • pick-up trucks.

The ELD unit is plugged into the brains of your truck. TruckingOffice ELD links to an app on your smart phone or tablet, so it works without getting in your way.

Then my box truck can use TruckingOffice ELD too?

Yes. If you drive across state lines, or go more than 150 miles from your base, FMSCA requires you to have an ELD and monitor your driver’s hours of service (HOS).

Why should I use TruckingOffice ELD if I don’t have to file IFTA?

TruckingOffice ELD is a great tool, but we think it’s the best because it integrates with TruckingOffice PRO trucking software.

Regardless of IFTA, if you’re running a trucking business, you’re running a trucking business. It’s not a hobby. If your light duty truck is hauling freight, then you need a trucking management software. We aren’t hating on QuickBooks, but it’s not a trucking software. Yes, QuickBooks handles invoices and payments, but there’s a lot more to trucking accounting than that. Trucking businesses need specific numbers computed not by time but by distance. Trucking businesses need to know:

  • Revenue Paid: generated based on the invoices-the payments entered.
  • Expenses: includes driver pay, invoice advance, fuel expenses and truck expenses.
  • Profit: Total revenue minus expenses
  • Load Count: Number of Loads within that month. 
  • Revenue Per Load: an average of all revenue for that month.
  • Miles: The total number of loaded and empty miles
  • Miles per load: the average of all miles within that month per load
  • Revenue Per Mile: The total revenue divided by the miles.
  • Revenue Per Loaded Mile: Total revenue divided by loaded miles only
  • Expense Per Mile: Total expenses divided by the total miles
  • Expense Per Loaded Mile: Total expenses divided by loaded miles only.
  • Profit per mile: Profit (revenue minus expenses) divided by the total miles.
  • Profit Per Loaded Mile: Profit (revenue minus expenses) divided by Total loaded Mile

QuickBooks might do the first six. They don’t have an option to do the rest.

Why should I know those numbers? Does an ELD tell me those numbers?

Because those are the numbers that tell you if your trucking business makes money or not. With the TruckingOffice PRO trucking software plus the TruckingOffice ELD, you get the most accurate numbers put directly into your accounting software, so yes, the ELD does tell you the trucking business numbers you need to know. These Trucker Stats™ are the keys to building a successful business, light duty, box truck, or hot shot trucking.

But I just haul cars around with my light duty truck.

Here’s the key to hauling cars around. Even if you have a trailer that hauls multiple cars, each one of those cars may be a unique load. You might pick up several cars in one state and take them to others. How do you count miles for a delivery so you’re getting paid correctly? With the cost of fuel, truckers can’t afford to haul for free!

Technically, we call what you’re doing LTL – lighter than truckloads. It’s a complicated booking process and an even more complicated billing method. You need a trucking software for your trucking business more than the truckers who only handle full loads. (But they need trucking software too!)

I’m a hot shot trucker. Do I need a trucking software?

You do. You’re a professional trucker, even as a hot-shot driver with a light duty truck. You deserved to be treated with respect and to be paid on time. Sadly, sometimes some shippers don’t respect hot shot truckers. Don’t let an unprofessional invoice give them an excuse to avoid paying you. With a trucking software that also tracks all your expenses, you can be confident that everything that should be on a trucking invoice is on it: tolls, fuel surcharges, lumper fees, tarp fees.

There aren’t a lot of hot shot truckers out there, so if you’re ready to make the jump into the market, make sure you’re professional – in your manner, in your services, and in your invoicing.

TruckingOffice ELD + TruckingOffice PRO

We respect hot shot and box truck drivers. You are a critical part to the trucking industry! That’s why we want to help you succeed in a difficult economy right now. The best way to help you grow your trucking business is to make sure that the tools you need are available and affordable.

Most hot shot drivers and box delivery truckers are single vehicle operations. You’re an owner-operator. You need the software that every trucker must have.

Using a software that integrates your accounting, your ELD, and your dispatches in one easy to use system makes sense. With the money you save by using TruckingOffice ELD and TruckingOffice PRO trucking software, you’ll be able to put more money in your pocket, while being safe and professional.

Give TruckingOffice PRO a free drive. We’ll let you explore the entire program to decide if using a trucking software is right for your trucking business. Sign up today! No credit card required for the free trial.

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