An electronic logging device (ELD) is a component designed to automatically log driving time in commercial motor vehicles (CMV).
According to the ELD mandate set out by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA), commercial motor vehicles in both the USA and Canada must be fitted with Electronic Logging Devices to comply with road safety regulations. The mandate requires that commercial fleet drivers move away from paper logbooks, which are prone to human error.
ELDs provide assistance in enforcing the HOS rule, ensuring that drivers have appropriate working hours and rest periods to mitigate fatigue on the road. With accurate digital logs, fleet operators can also better manage operational costs and driver safety.
The ELD rule mandate was first instituted by the FMCSA in the United States and came into effect on December 18, 2017. In Canada, the CCMTA began enforcing the mandate on January 1, 2023. The mandate requires all commercial truck drivers to log Hours of Service (HOS) electronically using compliant ELDs in place of paper logbooks.
Though the mandates are similar in both regions, there are a few differences between the two.
With the ELD mandate in place, fleet operators benefit from:
By not having to manually record HOS in paper logbooks, paperwork is significantly reduced, saving drivers valuable time versus paper logs.
With automatic, real-time logs, fleet managers are kept in the loop at all times about a driver’s status, allowing for better planning.
Digital logs allow for more accurate fleet management, lowering crash rates and preventable crashes from fatigue.
By utilizing digital tools, drivers and businesses have the opportunity to take advantage of other electronic compliance solutions related to IFTA, DVIR, and annual inspections.
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