If you’re operating a fleet, implementing an electronic logging device (ELD) is mandatory by law. However, apart from compliance mandates, ELD devices offer several advantages for streamlining your fleet management process. In this guide, we’ll spill the beans on the ELD mandate, explore its benefits, analyze associated costs and more.

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Article Roadmap

• What Are ELD Devices?
• How Do They Work?
• ELD Mandate
• Who Needs ELD?
• Primary Benefits
• Cost & Pricing Considerations
• Choosing the Best ELD Device: Key Factors
• Next Steps

What Are ELD Devices?

ELD devices are hardware modules connected to the engines of commercial motor vehicles (CMV) to record driving time, hours of service (HOS) and several other key metrics of the vehicle and the driver. They’re crucial for DOT compliance solutions that help your fleet business remain compliant.

In 2015, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) mandated the use of ELDs for commercial vehicles in the U.S. ELDs replaced all automatic onboard recording devices (AOBRD) by 2019 due to the mandate. Some exceptions to this ruling are tow truck drivers, vehicles manufactured before 2000 and short-haul drivers.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) uses the data recorded by ELD devices on driver’s records of duty status ( RODS) to ensure that fleet owners and drivers follow road safety rules.

How Do They Work?

You can attach ELD devices to your fleet management software for a comprehensive solution. It connects to the vehicle’s onboard diagnostics (OBS) port to pull information such as engine status, fuel consumption and total traveled distance. The device also displays data on a dashboard to the driver.

GPS tracking and telematics provide real-time location information for your fleet. It also features accelerometers and gyroscopes to track safety metrics like acceleration and breaking.

These devices not only collect and analyze data but also transmit it to drivers and as well as fleet managers at the office. Some vendors also share data with government agencies during roadside DOT inspections.

Transmission of Data

Most ELD devices use cellular services from companies like AT&T to transmit data from the hardware device to the driver’s mobile display, which tracks vital information like HOS and driving time. Some also use Bluetooth to share data. Besides cellular services, several devices also feature built-in Wi-Fi connectivity.

How To Transfer Data During Roadside DOT Inspections

DOT officials can pull over your commercial vehicle drivers for a sudden roadside inspection. The inspector reviews data provided by ELD devices spanning the past seven days to verify compliance without any violations.

For smooth data transfer between your device and the inspector, you can use these two telematics methods:

1. Encrypted Emails: You can send the data to the inspector in an encrypted email format.
2. Wireless Web Services: Transmit your data to the DOT through a secure server.

Although both methods are allowed under the ELD mandate, FMCSA finds the latter more secure and recommends its adoption.

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The ELD Mandate

FMCSA introduced the ELD mandate in 2017, which required CMV carriers to install ELD devices in their vehicles to record HOS. The primary objective of this mandate was to promote public and road safety by preventing fatigue and rash driving-related accidents. The DOT periodically conducts inspections to check ELD data for one week to ensure adherence to regulations.

Several fleet management companies and groups raised privacy concerns about using ELDs, fearing that tracking drivers’ activities might violate their right to privacy and become intrusive. The mandate introduced restrictions on the data that devices can track. For instance, they can’t monitor drivers outside their duty hours.

The ELD mandate replaced extensive paper logs and a previously used recording device known as AOBRD with ELD devices.

Who Needs an ELD?

The DOT has specified categories of drivers who fall under the mandate of using ELD devices and those who are exempt.

Mandated Users

CMV Drivers

If you drive a CMV, you must use an ELD to track your HOS. CMV drivers subject to this mandate are those transporting hazardous materials, driving vehicles weighing over 10,000 pounds or carrying more than eight people.

Interstate Drivers

If you engage in interstate activities that involve transporting passengers or goods across state borders, you must install ELDs in your vehicles.

Exempted Users

Don’t Have To Maintain RODS

Drivers operating within a 150 air-mile radius are exempt from the ELD device mandate and aren’t required to maintain RODS.

Require RODS Paperwork

You must maintain RODS paperwork but are exempt from the ELD mandate if:

• You only operate towaway-driveaway operations.
• Your vehicle’s manufacturing date is before the year 2000.
• You’re legally obligated to keep RODS logs for eight days during a month’s working period.

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Primary Benefits

While you can use DOT compliance software to comply with DOT mandates, ELD devices offer several other benefits besides maintaining compliance.

Improve Safety

Ensuring the safety of your employees and the public is your top priority in the fleet business. Analyze data on driver behavior to better understand areas that need improvement. This data can help you identify risky actions like rash driving and harsh braking.

You can implement additional training programs to reduce the possibility of accidents and improve your CSA scores.

Reduce Administrative Burden

Manually reviewing logs and driver details can be daunting and is prone to errors. Automate the process with ELDs and get whatever data you need in just one click. When combined with fleet management software, these devices help organize and analyze data automatically to reduce your staff’s administrative burden.

Streamline Dispatching

Along with dispatch software, ELD devices can optimize your dispatching process by providing deep visibility into your fleet. They continuously monitor each vehicle and transmit real-time GPS updates to the back office.

You no longer have to manually contact each driver, as you can update their ETAs and routing information based on ELD data.

Minimize Fuel Costs

Comprehensive ELD systems provide fuel management capabilities that help reduce fuel consumption and associated costs. For instance, some devices offer visibility into fuel usage and factors affecting consumption. It enables you to train your drivers to increase efficiency and gain insights into your fuel expenditure and ways to reduce it.

Prevent Vehicle Breakdowns

Frequent unexpected vehicle breakdowns can be expensive for your business. Thankfully, like fleet maintenance software, ELD devices run engine diagnostics to provide vehicle health status reports. You can use this data to stay on top of your fleet’s condition and ensure proper vehicle maintenance.

Easily Prove Liability

Access to accurate and updated information helps you protect your drivers from false allegations. For example, you can use dashcam footage and driving speed data to exonerate your drivers from accidents where they aren’t at fault.

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Cost & Pricing Considerations

FMCSA estimates the annual cost of maintaining ELD devices using cellular services to be approximately $419. In contrast, ELDs using Bluetooth or local USB 2.0 for data transmissions can cost around $166 annually.

The pricing of ELD devices depends on several factors, like:

• The hardware’s characteristics and the vendor you’re buying it from.
• Accessories you might need, like smartphones and tablets, to connect to the device.
• Some vendors may charge a one-time installation fee.
• Training charges and advanced features like diagnostics can increase the overall cost.

Choosing the Best ELD Device

Several vendors offer ELD devices today with different features. However, selecting the right one for your business is crucial, as a malfunctioning ELD can significantly disrupt your daily operations. You must be very careful when making this decision.

Here are a few factors to consider before choosing the ideal equipment:

FMCSA Approval

You must implement certified ELDs to ensure they meet design and performance standards. However, self-certification isn’t enough, and devices also need DOT approval. Before purchasing, verify whether your product is on the DOT’s official list to ensure full compliance.

User-Friendly Interface

A user-friendly UI makes the job of tracking metrics easier for both drivers and fleet managers. Drivers can also manage or register logs efficiently in easy-to-use applications.

Third-Party Integrations

ELD devices should seamlessly integrate with other software and hardware modules to offer comprehensive support. You must ensure that your chosen device is compatible with other existing solutions in your vehicle and that they run smoothly after the integration.

Positive Reviews

User reviews can offer valuable insights into a product’s performance. Make sure you conduct thorough research on top platforms before finalizing your purchase.

You can also engage in discussions with your peers to gather insights into the systems they use to make an informed decision. Participate in online discussions on independent platforms and ask for recommendations from other truckers.

Accessible Customer Support

Efficient customer support is a vital factor that gives some solutions a competitive edge.

If your driver or fleet manager encounters an issue with the device, it’s essential to determine whether they can promptly reach technical support for resolution. You must test this by contacting support and recording the time it takes to connect with them and their response time to resolve the issue.

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Next Steps

Implementing ELD devices with a comprehensive fleet management solution can help you get the most out of your fleet management process. Together, they not only ensure smooth and safe vehicle operations but also boost your operational efficiency, streamline compliance reporting and increase profitability.

If you’re searching for the best fleet management software for your business, our free comparison report can provide valuable assistance. It includes top solutions, features and up-to-date reviews to help you find the best fit.

How have ELD devices contributed to the overall improvement of your business? Let us know in the comments below!