4 Tips for ELD Compliance

by Aug 7, 2017Electronic Logging, Hours of Service

As one of the most important happenings in the current fleet industry, the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Mandate is often a main topic of conversation. As the December 2017 deadline approaches, your understanding and compliance with this rule grow increasingly important.

We have written numerous articles about ELD compliance and, as time grows shorter, we’re offering further advice on getting your fleet mandate-ready. For this blog, we offer four tips on making sure your company is ready when the ELD Mandate takes effect. To use these tips, read through our list below.

1. Understand the mandate

Like every piece of legislation, there are several parts to the ELD Mandate, including exceptions. Make sure you read and understand each piece of the rule so that you understand who is impacted, how it will affect your business, and what you need to do to comply.

2. Know the hardware requirements

When the ELD Mandate takes effect, your fleet vehicles and ELDs have to follow specific hardware specifications to comply. These specifications must include the following:

  • An ability to transmit data for roadside inspections
  • Time, date, and location recording
  • Vehicle miles, driver identification, and engine on/off recording through device-engine synchronization

Each device installed in your vehicles must also be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), so check for your devices on the list of registered ELDs.

3. Provide supporting documents

Your ELDs automatically record and save data about your vehicle’s travels, but drivers are also required to keep supporting documents that verify their hours of service (HoS) compliance. Your drivers should submit a maximum of eight documents to you, their motor carrier, for every 24-hour period that they are on duty. These documents should be retained for six months and kept with records of duty status.

4. Follow HoS rules

The ELD Mandate is not a change to HoS rules, it’s just a new and more efficient way to record them. As your company switches to ELDs, make sure your drivers know what is expected of them. Stick to HoS limits and carefully review your logs to ensure that your drivers’ hours and logs match.

The ELD Mandate is only four months away — is your business compliance-ready?

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