Electronic Logging Devices – Frequently Asked Questions

Electronic Logging Devices – Frequently Asked Questions

The ELD Mandate (Electronic Logging Device) can raise many questions. For your convenience, we have gathered the answers to the most commonly asked ELD-related questions and summarized them in the below blog post.

What Is an ELD?

According to both the FMCSA and CCMTA, an ELD is an electronic hardware device resistant to tampering and capable of electronically recording on & off duty statuses and other activities of a Commercial Motor Vehicle(CMV). The ELD mandate, sometimes referred to as the electronic logbook mandate, took place to streamline Hours of Service (HOS) management, reduce crashes caused by driver fatigue and increase fair competition between fleet owners.

How Does an ELD work? 

An Electronic Logging Device is connected to a vehicle’s Onboard Diagnostics port (OBD),  a driver’s input device (usually a tablet or phone), and the fleet software (such as Navistream). An ELD records data either triggered by input from the driver (such as driver’s duty status change, login/logout activity and so on) or by an ELD’s internal monitoring functions (data diagnostics detections, etc.). The ELD device records data on the vehicle engine, location, speed, distance driven, VIN, driver’s hours of services, inspections and more.

Who must have ELDs in the USA?

All commercial motor carriers and drivers who are currently required to prepare HOS records of their duty status (RODS) must use ELDs. The rule also applies to Canada-/Mexico-domiciled drivers, as well as to commercial buses and trucks.

Who is exempt from the ELD Rule in the USA?

 

As per the FMCSA, the following drivers could be considered ELD exempt in the USA:

  • A driver who operates under a short-haul exception;
  • A driver who is required to use paper RODS for less than eight days out of every 30 days;
  • A driver of a vehicle manufactured before 2000.

When is ELD Mandatory in Canada?

Transport Minister Omar Alghabra stated that the mandate starts on June 12th, 2021, with early enforcement measures consisting of education and awareness, no penalty stage, and formal notifications thorough inspection reports. The Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators has announced that the mandate is reaching full enforcement on January 1st, 2023.

Who is required to have ELDs in Canada?

Starting from January 1st, 2023, all federally regulated trucks and buses will require the use of Electronic Logging Devices to record their Hours of Services (HoS), replacing paper logbooks.

For Provincially Regulated Carriers changes apply based on their specific provincial adoption decisions. Visit ELD Enforcement in Canadian Provinces to learn more about specific provincial ELD regulations.

Which Trucks/commercial motor vehicles are ELD exempt in Canada?

Canadian ELD exemptions are the following:

− A CMV that stays within a 160 km radius of its home terminal. 

− A CMV rented for less than 30 days and is not an extended or renewed rental of the same vehicle.

− A CMV manufactured before the model year 2000.

− A good rule of thumb: if drivers did not require using paper logs before the mandate, they probably do not require ELDs.

What should I do if an ELD Malfunctions?

As described in Technical Standard, when the ELD malfunction occurs, the driver has to, first of all, notify the motor carrier when it happened. 

  • The carrier has to register the event and maintain the event’s information for six months from when the event has occurred. Keep in mind this register is subject to audit by provincial or territorial auditors.
  • In Canada, the driver can use paper logs for a maximum of 14 days or upon return to the home terminal if the trip takes longer than 14 days. The malfunctioning ELD must be repaired or replaced before the CMV with the ELD is dispatched to another trip. 
  • In the US, the driver can record their HOS on paper for a maximum period of 8 consecutive days.

What else can I use an ELD for?

Each ELD provider offers different features. With Streamline ELD Navistream, you will get:

  • HOS recording time saver
  • Simplified DVIR inspection reports
  • Minimize administrative work
  • GPS tracking
  • Advanced & Customizable reporting and automated workflows
  • IFTA reporting
  • Geofencing (tracking specific geo zones for speeding and time drivers spent there)
  • Tracking driving habits and improving them
  • Tracking idling time & reducing fuel consumption
  • Increase safety & lower insurance premium
  • Trip/Cycle/Shift summary reports available

How to implement ELDs in the fleet?

At Streamline, we have the following recommendations to keep in mind while choosing an ELD:

  1. Do your research (know what features you are looking for, try and pilot different solutions, compare)
  2. Choose your provider and understand what is required for installation (self installation, 3rd party, level of difficulty etc.)
  3. Understand training requirements, costs and length of training.
  4. Establish what KPIs are important for managing your fleet and begin benchmarking good behaviours.

For more information, please go to Successful ELD Implementation – Preparing for June 2022.

Have Questions?

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About Streamline

Streamline Transportation Technologies Inc., an Arrow Company, is a leading provider of fleet management solutions for the transportation industry. Streamline combines telematics with advanced wireless and vehicle automation technologies to make vehicles safer, cleaner, and more productive. Streamline’s core products include; Navistream™, an ELD and telematics platform, and Degama, a Transportation Management Solution (TMS). The integration of the platforms allows Streamline to offer a complete package of fleet solutions, customizable to any fleet size. For more information, visit stti.com.

At Streamline, we constantly increase our level of expertise to provide our customers with the most reliable information, however, the information on this page is presented for informational purposes only and should not be relied on as legal advice. Please, contact your local DOT department for questions Streamline is unable to answer.

References:

https://www.cvse.ca/

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-08-18/pdf/2020-15667.pdf

https://tc.canada.ca/en/road-transportation/electronic-logging-devices

https://eld.fmcsa.dot.gov/

https://www.ccmta.ca/en/commercial-motor-vehicle-safety

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