ELDs are an essential tool for fleets of all sizes. They make an already-required daily task more accessible and less stressful for drivers while helping caravans stay compliant.

Form and manner violations were much more common when drivers kept their logs on paper. With ELDs, this information is automatically tracked and inputted into the system, making it much harder to falsify.

Real-Time Reporting

Since December 18, 2017, all nonexempt commercial trucks must follow the new ELD mandate. The device automatically tracks the truck driver’s driving time and ensures they follow DOT rules for fatigue prevention. It also helps reduce fleet fuel costs and provides a clear audit trail for compliance without additional paperwork.

It’s common for drivers to make mistakes on their logs, but falsifying a diary is a severe offense that can land the driver and carrier in hot water with the DOT. Inspectors will typically cite this violation during a roadside inspection, and it’s one of the most common CSA violations that lead to enforcement action.

With real-time reporting, you can get an accurate understanding of your fleet’s compliance status in seconds. This business intelligence tool can help you understand poor routing and dispatch, find human error (like forgetting to update duty status), or coach driver behavior. You can view the results online or download a comma-separated values (CSV) file for offline viewing or archival purposes.

Alerts

In addition to the mandated function of logging HOS and ensuring compliance with regulations, ELDs provide fleet managers with insights they can use to boost efficiency and cost savings. These data reports can improve route planning, reduce fuel consumption, and coach drivers.

ELDs can also help prevent hours-of-service violations by alerting drivers of upcoming abuses, giving them enough time to make a safe decision. This is especially important for less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers who rely on real-time GPS data to communicate vehicle locations with broker apps and earn more per load and passenger transit fleets that share live ETAs with customers.

While most ELDs are FMCSA-approved, some are independently verified by third-party companies to give fleet owners more peace of mind that their devices are compliant. Please request a free trial of Samsara’s FMCSA-approved ELD system to see how it can help you save on fuel, increase efficiency, and boost safety on the road.

Logbooks

The ELD mandate requires truck drivers to use electronic logging devices (ELDs) to record their Hours of Service. These DOT-approved hardware devices connect to the vehicle’s engine and record when the car is on, idle, and in motion. They can be a dedicated device or a Bring Your Device solution that meets FMCSA technical specifications.

Some truckers argue that while they can still make money under ELDs, they don’t have the freedom they did under paper logs. Previously, conscientious drivers could skirt HOS regulations by stopping in sketchy areas and packing into sardine-tin trucks to prevent their reset or running slightly over their allowable driving hours to get to the next stop.

That behavior isn’t possible because the ELD automatically records a driver’s time, which also has built-in edits and annotations to prevent falsification. Consistent logging also helps improve a fleet’s Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) score, which is used to calculate insurance premiums.

Training

The FMCSA ELD mandate requires commercial drivers to use electronic logging devices (ELDs) to record their hours of service or HOS. In addition to providing essential safety data, these systems can help fleets improve driver performance and reduce operating costs.

Although some drivers still prefer paper logs, it’s generally agreed that ELDs are safer for truckers and the public. These devices make tracking HOS much easier and more automated for drivers, and they can help law enforcement catch shady behavior.

Additionally, many advanced ELD systems offer a variety of additional features that can prevent costly violations, such as training programs for drivers and dispatchers. These tools can ensure that everyone on the road understands what is and isn’t permissible under the ELD rule. They can also help truckers save money by reducing fuel consumption, improving driver performance, and streamlining deliveries. These cost savings can offset the initial investment of installing and maintaining an ELD system.