What you need to know about ELD Mandate

What is ELD?

Electronic logging devices are designed to record data related to operation of the vehicle and to driver activity. Information mainly concerns hours of service. Commercial truckers are restricted to a maximum number of hours they are allowed to drive between rest periods.

What is the ELD Rule?

The ELD rule requires ELD use by commercial drivers who are required to prepare hours-of-service records of duty status.

Sets ELD performance and design standards, and requires ELDs to be certified and registered with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Establishes what supporting documents drivers and carriers are required to keep. Prohibits harassment of drivers based on ELD data or connected technology (such as fleet management system). The rule also provides recourse for drivers who believe they have been harassed.

Why the ELD Rule was passed?

Mainly for safety reasons. Many studies have established that fatigue is a major factor in increased street and highway accident rates. Awareness of the problem led to the restriction on driver hours of service and the requirement to keep a log of documenting that driving hours are not exceeded.  The ELD mandate requires the replacement of paper logs with electronic recording, performed automatically to ensure accuracy.

There are exemptions of the ELD Rule

Drivers who use timecard exception are not required to keep records of duty status or use ELDs. Additionally, the following drivers are not required to use ELDs; however, they are still bound by the RODS requirements in 49 CFR 395 and must prepare logs on paper, using an Automatic On-Board Recording Device (AOBRD), or with a logging software program when required:

• Drivers who use paper RODS for not more than 8 days out of every 30-day period.
• Drivers of vehicles manufactured before 2000.
• Drivers who are required to keep RODS not more than 8 days within any 30-day period.
• Drivers who conduct drive-away-tow-away operations, where the vehicle being driven is the commodity being delivered, or the vehicle being transported is a motor home or a recreation vehicle trailer with one or more sets of wheels on the surface of the roadway.
• Drivers of vehicles manufactured before the model year 2000. (As reflected on the vehicle registration)

Issues regarding ELD

Many drivers protested against the ELD Rule. Their main concerns are that ELD will not prevent crashes and accidents, but will force them to quit being truckers, because of the expenses. Another concern is that ELD will force drivers to race a clock and make even more mistakes.

The ELD Rule is mandatory from today and we will see what will happen. Will this rule be effective and prevent accidents or will cause more problems than it is supposed to solve.

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