Keeping track of your hours of service while on the road is an essential part of being a truck driver. It’s imperative that all drivers log their HOS efficiently so that the trucking company has all this information on record. These details may be needed in the future if there are issues with payment, problems with a client about a delivery, or if the driver was involved in an accident and the insurance company required the HOS log.
Traditionally, truck drivers would keep track of their hours of service manually on paper. And there are some who still use it as a backup method today. But modern technology has improved these methods with the introduction of Electronic Logging Devices.
HOS: What is It?
Hours of service (HOS) sets the maximum amount of time drivers can be on duty according to FMCSA. This includes driving time and rest periods. HOS regulations apply to all interstate and intrastate commercial vehicle drivers.
The final HOS rule was published in December 2011. The primary goal of HOS regulations is to reduce driver fatigue and improve highway safety.
HOS regulations for property-carrying drivers are:
- Drivers must take a 30-minute break after driving 8 hours without interruption.
- They may drive a total of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
- May not drive more than 14 consecutive hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
HOS regulations for passenger-carrying drivers are:
- Drivers may drive a maximum of 10 hours after being off duty for 8 hours.
- May not drive after driving for 15 consecutive hours after 8 hours off duty.
- Must not drive after 60 to 70 hours on duty within a 7 to 8 day period.
Of course, the regulations and exemptions are more complex than listed above. You can find the details on FMCA’s website.
The ELD mandate requires every commercial vehicle to use electronic logging devices to ensure HOS compliance. But, ELDs assist with other trucking business management tasks as well.
Understanding the ELD Mandate
Electronic logging devices allow truck drivers to easily keep track of their hours of service. According to the latest ELD rules set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), All CDL drivers must keep a Record of Duty Status (RODS) and they must use an ELD to document their hours of service.
In compliance to these rules, all ELDs must do the following.
- Connect to the truck’s engine record if it is in motion
- Allow the driver to log in and choose whether they are on or off duty.
- Display a Records of Duty Status and show the amount of time the driver has been on the road
- Be provider certified and meet all ELD standards
How the TruckingOffice ELD Program Helps You Keep Track of HOS Easily
An electronic logging device makes it much easier for those at the main office to generate various reports based on the data received. Reports that would normally take hours to configure are now produced in a matter of minutes by using an ELD system. Users can gather compliance data from their fleet or find out if an individual driver has any violations against them. The reports can show details such as pinpointing where a driver made a duty change. Overall, an electronic logging device can help you take a lot of guesswork out of successfully operating a trucking company.
How Drivers and Trucking Companies Benefit from Using ELD Programs
Many trucking companies began using ELD systems before they became mandatory for truck drivers. And they were surprised at all the benefits they received while suing them. The easy to use interface makes this system a must-have item for all drivers and trucking companies, especially when it comes to cutting down on all the paperwork involved with keeping driving logs up to date.
Safer and More Accurate Logging
One of the biggest issues in the trucking industry is how drivers are always attempting to stretch out their time as much as they can. But now, many ELD systems eliminate this issue by using a distance and speed trigger. Once a vehicle has reached a specified speed for a designated amount of time, the status is automatically switched to “driving”. This is much more safer and accurate than previous programs.
Reducing Fuel Waste
ELDs allow trucking companies to monitor idle-time tracking. This is good because you can tell just how much time a driver spends idling. Those who idle too long are wasting fuel and that costs your company more money over time. But thanks to this feature, you can keep track of idling time and save your company thousands of dollars every month by doing so.
Find Out More By Visiting Our Website
If you would like to learn more about how our ELD program can help you track your truck driver’s hours more effectively, visit the TruckingOffice website today.
While you’re visiting, take a look at our TruckingOffice PRO trucking software. The ELD and trucking management software integrate to give you a full picture of your trucking business. We offer a free trial for our trucking software program. Check us out today!
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