ELD Compliance Questions Answered

Over the last month, we’ve received many questions related to ELDs and the recently released mandate. ELDs are electronic devices that connect to a vehicle’s engine and automatically log a driver’s Hours of Service. According to the recently published ELD Mandate, all drivers currently keeping a record of duty status (RODS) will be required to adopt ELDs by February 2018. Here’s an overview of the most common questions we hear:

How is using the KeepTruckin ELD going to change the way I record my hours of service?
From a driver’s standpoint, almost everything stays the same except for how drive-time is entered. With an ELD, drive-time is automatically recorded from engine data collected by the ELD.

What are the benefits of an ELD?
ELDs automatically track hours of service and duty status changes, resulting in a greater degree of log accuracy, fewer HOS related violations, safer driving practices, and a more operationally efficient fleet.

What information does an ELD collect from a vehicle?
The FMCSA has outlined the specific data that an ELD must capture, which includes information related to location, date, time, vehicle and driver identification, engine power status, vehicle motion status, miles driven, and engine operation hours.

Can log data collected from an ELD be edited?
Drivers and authorized third parties such as company dispatchers can make limited log edits to correct mistakes or add missing information. Any change made must include an annotation explaining the reason for the log edit. If an edit is made by the carrier and not the driver, the edit must be approved by the driver before it is made official. Edits are included alongside the original record. The only information that cannot be annotated or changed is drive-time, which is collected automatically from the engine.

Are EOBRs and AOBRDs considered ELDs?
No, EOBRs and AOBRDs do not fit the technical specifications of an ELD as outlined by the FMCSA. However, the ELD Mandate includes a grandfather clause that allows drivers currently using an EOBR/AOBRD to remain compliant until February 2019.

How do I know if my device is compliant with the ELD Mandate?
ELD providers must have their device registered and certified by the FMCSA to be considered compliant. The FMCSA will publish a list of officially registered ELDs on February 8, 2016. If a provider is not listed, the device is not a viable ELD solution.

Can a single ELD be used in multiple vehicles?
Yes, ELDs may be transferred between vehicles so long as they are mounted appropriately according to the standards outlined by the FMCSA.

Are there exceptions to the ELD Mandate?
The following drivers are exempt from the ELD Mandate and may continue to use paper or electronic logs to record their hours of service:

• Drivers who keep RODS for 8 days or less during any 30-day period.
• Driveaway-towaway drivers where the vehicle itself is the item of delivery.
• Drivers who are operating vehicles manufactured before year 2000.

Can an e-logging app by itself satisfy the requirement for an ELD?
No. An e-logging app that isn’t paired with in-cab hardware is not considered compliant with the ELD Mandate. ELD solutions that sync with smartphones like the KeepTruckin app provide a better user experience and facilitate organized and systematic collection of data, diminishing the potential for lost information and device malfunction.

Have more questions on the ELD mandate? Our team wants to help your fleet stay informed and compliant on the rules and regulations. Learn more at keeptruckin.com/resources.