It’s an electronic tracking system that monitors the driver’s hours of service. It tracks the location and the number of hours the vehicle is in use, with options for the driver to identify if they’re on duty or not. Per the ELD Mandate, ELDs are now required for most commercial vehicles. 

Why Should You Know?

ELDs have been required since 2017 to track how much time a driver has been behind the wheel. Without a functional, compliant ELD in the vehicle, a driver can receive a ticket or even be put off the road.

FAQs about ELDs

Why do we have ELDs?

ELDs track drivers’ HOS to decrease truck accidents on the road. Trucks have them to ensure drivers respect the restrictions set by the FMCSA. The equipment is a simple, error-free product that performs the following tasks all on its own:

• Tracking a driver’s hours of service (HOS).
• Talking to your truck’s engine to ensure absolute mileage accuracy.
• Using GPS to track the truck’s location.
• Creating a permanent record that will protect you from false accusations of negligence.

An ELD gives truckers like you a well-deserved helping hand while ensuring you’re never forced to violate regulations or endanger public safety. That, in turn, makes life better for everyone who uses our nation’s roads.

How Does an ELD Work?

In most cases, the electronic logging device plugs into the ECM port located under the dashboard. It syncs with the truck’s engine to record all driving activities throughout the day. The driver can update their duty status (driving, on-duty, in sleeper berth, or off duty) usually by Bluetooth link to the software. Entries are either manually updated or are automatically logged by the ELD.

Some ELDs are installed on smartphones and track hours. They must be approved by the FMCSA.

The ELD mandate is intended to help drivers more easily track their hours. The goal is to prevent driver fatigue and to make U.S. roadways safer.

Why was the ELD Mandate created?

The ELD mandate put in place by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in 2017. It enforces the federal hours of service restrictions, which dictates how many hours truck drivers can drive and when.

According to ELD standards, drivers cannot drive for more than 11 hours during a 14-hour period. Mandatory rest breaks and a limit to the number of hours per week a driver can drive is also part of the mandate.

Many truck drivers have mixed feelings about the law. Some say the ELD mandate makes their jobs too inflexible. Others say it makes their jobs more dangerous and stressful.  No recent research has shown a significant change in the number of truck accidents since the ELD Mandate went into effect in 2017. But the technology has had an impact on the trucking industry.

Do ELDs track miles per state?

Yes, most ELDs also track the total number of miles driven in each jurisdiction and state. This feature makes it easier for trucking companies to calculate IFTA fuel tax reports.

The ELD technology’s greatest impact stems from tracking trucks and truckloads. Large logistics companies had been searching for a way to locate loads during transport. With the ELD’s GPS positioning monitoring, finding a truck with a load on the road became much simpler.

What do drivers need to know about ELD before buying?

The most important factor is that the ELD meets the FMCSA standards and is registered. (A free app from Google Play or the Apple Store is unlikely to meet those standards.)

Most compliant companies offer the physical equipment (the plug-and-play ECM which connects to the engine) and a yearly contract. Some companies don’t require contracts, which gives flexibility to seasonal truckers.

Many companies offer a variety of extra features, which can make the choice difficult.

• How many trucks will use the ELD system? (Multiple trucks may get a volume discount.)
• Will it track driver activity such as braking or speeding? (This may decrease insurance costs.)
• Does it integrate with a trucking management software? (Some companies offer a complete package.)
• Do you want status reports on the truck equipment? (The ELD may provide possible equipment problems.)

The price range and contract requirements should be factors in choosing the right product for your trucking company’s needs.

What ELD is compliant with the ELD Mandate standards?

The FMCSA has a list of compliant, approved ELDs. This list is updated regularly. The FMCSA is currently allowing self-certification by ELD companies, but this may change in 2026.

What if my ELD isn’t on the list?

A trucker is expected to check the status of his ELD and maintain currently approved equipment. The trucker can face citations for operating without a functional ELD.

In the last year, several ELDs have been removed. Several reasons why they are removed include

• The ELD fails to meet technical specs
• Reports on demand (data transfers) fail.
• There is inaccurate recording of HOS
• Security flaws put the data at risk.

Using one of these delisted ELDs and an “I didn’t know” excuse won’t pan out with a law officer if a trucker is pulled over.

Add to that the increased abuse of ELDs by so-called “chameleon carriers” and brokers or shippers who want drivers to ignore the HOS restrictions, and the trucker is the one who will face consequences. This could include being placed out of service.

The DOT has launched a new program to address these issues caused by ELD companies that are not compliant with the FMCSA standards.

Is the government tracking me?

No. An ELD doesn’t allow Uncle Sam to spy on you. The DOT doesn’t maintain any ELD records unless there has been an accident. Failure to produce an ELD report or paper record if the ELD is out of service is a problem and may lead to a driver being cited.

Is Highway.com tracking me?

The rise of Highway.com and its use of ELDs to track drivers and loads is an unexpected result of ELD use. Because of double brokering (an illegal reassignment of a load to another trucker), Highway.com demands to be able to connect to a trucker’s ELD. Highway.com actually tracks more data from an ELD than the government does without any restrictions on what it can do with the data.

My broker wants me to switch my ELD in the middle of the trip. Is this legal?

No. This is illegal. Switching an ELD protects the company if you’re in an accident, placing the blame strictly on the driver. It allows them to deny any responsibility for a driver ignoring HOS restrictions. The ELD protects drivers by ensuring there is always an accurate record of your job performance that you can reference.

Can I use my ELD records to collect detention pay?

We believe it proves your location and the time you were stuck in the yard. But it’s only one part of the process. If the government can use ELD evidence against a trucker, then it makes sense that the same report could be used against a shipper who refuses to pay detention fees.

Will my ELD shut off my truck?

No, but it will tell you when to shut down. A driver needs to watch the time remaining and plan their day accordingly.

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