UNDERSTANDING THE Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) MANDATE

WHAT IS AN ELD?
 (ELDs) plug into a truck’s diagnostic
port to record driving time and Hours of Service data to
prevent violations. Some things to know about ELDs:
• Records movement of vehicle, miles driven, and engine hours
• Drivers create an account to enter their status: on/off duty, etc.
• ELDs must have capability to send raw data during inspection
and be certified with FMCSA

WHAT IS AN ELD COMPOSED OF?
ELDs have two major components. One is the actual device that
needs to be plugged in, since, per the rule, logs need to be
integrally synchronized with the vehicle engine.
The other is the vendor software that displays on a screen
(i.e. smartphone, tablet, etc.). The software allows truckers to:
• Create a driver account
• Enter their duty status
• Edit/finalize their driving logs

WHO MUST COMPLY?
Generally, truckers who are currently required to keep paper logs will
need an ELD. This would include most truckers who operate across state
lines and have a radius of operation greater than 150 miles.

WHO IS EXEMPT FROM THE ELD MANDATE?
There are a few exemptions for who is required to comply with the
ELD mandate. The most notable exemptions include vehicles older
than model year 2000, short-term truck rentals, drivers who conduct
drive-away-tow-away operations, and drivers who do not keep paper
logs for more than eight days out of every 30-day period.
For a complete list of exemptions, see here:
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/faq/what-exceptions-are-allowedelectronic-logging-device-rule

WHAT TYPES OF ELDS ARE AVAILABLE?
There are two types of devices:
• Cab devices with a built-in display
• Bring your own devices that connect with a trucker’s smartphone,
tablet, etc.
Both types make tracking hours of service easier and more accurate
than paper logs, and also provide vehicle inspection reports.