Do Box Trucks and Light-Duty Trucks Need an ELD?

“What trucks does your ELD work on?” We hear that question frequently from hotshot drivers and operators of box trucks, pickups, and other light-duty commercial vehicles. They’re looking at TruckingOffice ELD as an option for their vehicle.

Many truck drivers with vehicles smaller than an 18-wheeler wonder if they need an electronic logging device (ELD or ELog). It’s not always clear who needs one and who doesn’t.

A box truck, pickup, or hotshot rig does not need an ELD simply because of what it looks like. The requirement depends on the vehicle’s weight and use, whether the driver must keep records of duty status (RODS), and whether an exception applies.

ELDs for Light-Duty Trucks and Box Trucks: Questions and Answers

Do I need an ELD if I’m driving a light-duty truck?

The short answer is: Maybe. The vehicle type alone does not determine whether you need an ELD.

For interstate operations, a truck or truck-and-trailer combination generally meets the federal definition of a commercial motor vehicle when its GVWR, GCWR, actual GVW, or actual GCW is 10,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater. That might include a Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado 1500, and a Toyota Tacoma if it’s hauling a trailer and freight. If your vehicle is a heavy 1-ton pickup, many F-350 and Ram 3500 configurations meet or exceed the minimum weight. Check the door jamb label, VIN specifications, and actual combination weight to be sure.

So even if it’s a pickup, federal safety and HOS rules may apply when the vehicle is used in interstate commerce and meets the 10,001-pound threshold. An ELD is generally required only when the driver must keep RODS and no exception applies.

Do Box Trucks Need ELDs?

Maybe. Box trucks follow the same ELD rules as other commercial vehicles. The driver’s RODS requirements and applicable exceptions determine whether an ELD is required.

What Is the Short Haul Exception?

The short-haul exception applies to truckers who stay within 150 air miles of their normal work reporting location, return there, and are released from duty within 14 consecutive hours.

Drivers using the short-haul exception are not required to use an ELD, but the trucking company must keep the required time records.

What you may not expect is that the short haul exception ignores crossing state boundaries, which is often a requirement for vehicles which haul interstate. State lines do not affect the exception. A driver can cross a state line and still qualify by meeting the distance, time, and rest requirements.

Other exceptions may apply to drivers who need RODS no more than eight days during any 30-day period, certain driveaway-towaway operations, and vehicles manufactured before model year 2000.

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

When an auto transport trailer carries more than one vehicle, the shipment may be handled as less-than-truckload, or LTL. Here’s the key to hauling cars. Even if you have a trailer that hauls multiple cars, each one of those cars may be a unique load.

How do you determine the cost of the deliveries so you’re getting paid correctly? With the cost of fuel, truckers can’t afford to haul for free!

That complicated booking and billing process makes trucking software especially useful for auto haulers.

I’m a hotshot trucker. Do I need trucking software?

You should consider trucking software for your hotshot trucking business because you:

• haul freight for pay and want to be paid on time.
• provide a specific niche service that some shippers need.
• need organized records for business, compliance, and tax purposes.

Trucking software keeps your rate confirmation, load expenses, and delivery documents together so you can send a professional invoice packet without chasing paperwork.

Hotshot trucking is a specialized part of the trucking industry. If you’re building a hotshot business, professional service, communication, and invoicing can help you compete.

Does the TruckingOffice ELD work in my light-duty truck?

Yes. TruckingOffice ELD works with trucks that have a compatible ECM connection. Its vehicle interface device connects the ELD to the vehicle’s computer system. Compatible vehicles include:

• 18-wheelers/semis
• box trucks
• pickup trucks.

TruckingOffice ELD links to an app on your smartphone or tablet, so it works without getting in your way.

Then my box truck can use TruckingOffice ELD too?

Yes, if the box truck has a compatible ECM connection.

Frequently Asked Questions About ELDs for Box Trucks and Light-Duty Trucks

Does every box truck need an ELD?

No. The truck’s body style does not determine whether an ELD is required. The driver generally needs an ELD when required to maintain RODS and no exception applies.

Can a hotshot driver use the short-haul exception?

Yes. Hotshot drivers can use the short-haul exception when they meet its distance, duty-time, return, and recordkeeping requirements. Crossing a state line does not automatically disqualify them.

Can a driver need an ELD without needing a CDL?

Yes. CDL and ELD requirements use different standards. A driver operating a non-CDL commercial vehicle may still need an ELD when required to maintain RODS.

TruckingOffice ELD + TruckingOffice PRO

We respect hotshot and box truck drivers. You are a critical part of 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.

Many hotshot drivers and box delivery truckers are single-vehicle operations. You’re an owner-operator.

TruckingOffice PRO and TruckingOffice ELD connect dispatches, mileage, invoices, payments, expenses, and trucking reports in one system. This connected workflow can reduce repeated data entry and give an owner-operator more time to manage loads and drive.

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.