Ensuring the safety of truck drivers is paramount, and that’s where the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) mandate comes into play. Instituted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the ELD mandate has revolutionized the way drivers log their work hours, making the process more accurate and, in turn, safer.
Using a tarping system provided by Verduyn Tarps lets you save valuable time when securing your load, making it easier for you to stay in compliance with the ELD mandate.
What is the ELD Mandate?
The ELD mandate is a U.S. federal regulation requiring operators of commercial vehicles to use electronic logging devices. These devices automatically record a driver’s Record of Duty Status (RODS) and Hours of Service (HOS), replacing the old method of manual paper logs.
This mandate affects millions of commercial drivers, and its implementation has been a significant shift in the industry. It applies to most motor carriers and drivers who are currently required to maintain RODS, including commercial buses and trucks.
The Importance of the ELD Mandate
The ELD mandate’s primary purpose is to create a safer work environment for drivers and make it easier to accurately track, manage, and share RODS data. Before the mandate, drivers were responsible for manually logging their work hours, a system that was not only time-consuming but also prone to human error and manipulation.
With the introduction of ELDs, driving time is now recorded automatically, providing an unbiased and accurate log. This also helps to monitor and enforce compliance with HOS rules designed to prevent driver fatigue. Driver fatigue has been a longstanding concern in the trucking industry, contributing significantly to large truck and bus accidents.
ELDs also provide additional benefits for fleet management, offering features such as GPS tracking, fuel management, and real-time HOS alerts. This helps managers plan better routes, save fuel, and avoid HOS violations.
Compliance with the ELD Mandate
The mandate was rolled out in several phases, and since December 16, 2019, all drivers and carriers subject to the rule must use ELDs. This comprehensive mandate has affected millions of drivers in Canada and the United States, a true testament to its sweeping impact.
Non-compliance with the ELD mandate can result in severe penalties, including fines and being placed out of service. To comply with the ELD mandate, carriers must use ELDs listed on the FMCSA’s registered ELDs list.
Resistance and Controversy Surrounding the ELD Mandate
Despite the clear benefits of the mandate, it has been met with some resistance. Many smaller carriers and independent drivers have voiced concerns about the cost of ELDs, the potential invasion of privacy, and technical issues with the devices.
The FMCSA has addressed many of these concerns, noting that the costs associated with ELDs are offset by the reduction in paperwork and the benefits of improved HOS compliance. The privacy concern is managed by specific rules that limit data access and protect driver information. As for technical issues, as with any technology, ELD manufacturers and providers are continuously working on improvements.
The Future of the ELD Mandate
While the ELD mandate has had its share of controversy, it represents a significant step forward in promoting road safety and ensuring driver well-being in the industry. Looking towards the future, it is likely that we’ll see further technological advancements in ELDs and an even greater emphasis on safety measures for commercial drivers.
Is there any difference between the ELD mandate in Canada and the United States?
Yes, there are key differences between the mandates in Canada and the United States. Here are some of the main differences:
Implementation Dates: The U.S. ELD mandate was phased in from December 2017, with full compliance required by December 16, 2019. In contrast, Canada’s ELD mandate was announced by Transport Canada in January 2018, and full enforcement began in January 2020.
ELD Certification: In the U.S., the ELD manufacturers self-certify their devices to assert that they meet the technical standards outlined by the FMCSA. You can find a list of self-certified ELDs on the FMCSA website.
However, in Canada, third-party certification is required for ELDs. They must be certified by a third-party organization that is accredited by the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA). The Technical Standard for Electronic Logging Devices (TS-ELD) outlines the requirements that ELDs must meet in order to be certified. This approach is intended to provide an increased level of confidence that the devices will accurately track a driver’s hours of service.You can find a list of certified ELDs on the CCMTA website.
Exemptions: The ELD mandates in both countries include some exemptions, but they differ slightly. For example, in the U.S., drivers who use the timecard exception and those who use paper RODS for not more than 8 days out of every 30-day period are not required to use ELDs. On the other hand, in Canada, drivers who operate under a specific permit, those who are subject to a rental agreement with terms under 30 days, and drivers of vehicles manufactured before the year 2000 are exempt.
Personal Conveyance: Both countries allow for PC:
| Country | Commuting | Errands | Passengers | Distance Limit |
| United States | Yes | Yes | No | No limit |
| Canada | Yes | Yes | No | 75 kilometers per day |
Mandate Scope: The Canadian mandate applies nationwide, whereas the U.S. mandate does not apply in Alaska, Iowa, Missouri, New Mexico, or Oregon as these states have their own mandates that are more strict than the federal mandate.
It is important to note that even though the ELD mandate does not apply in these states, drivers and carriers in these states are still required to comply with the Hours of Service (HOS) regulations. The HOS regulations are federal regulations that govern how long drivers can drive and how much rest they must take.
Penalties: Both countries have penalties for non-compliance, but the specific nature and extent of those penalties vary.
In both countries, the ELD mandates have the same goal: to improve road safety by ensuring commercial drivers adhere to their hours of service regulations. However, these differences mean that cross-border operations could become more complex for drivers and carriers operating between the two countries. It’s crucial for drivers and fleets to familiarize themselves with the requirements in both countries to ensure compliance.
Is there anyone exempt from the ELD mandate?
Yes, there are several exemptions to the ELD mandate according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in the United States. Here are some of them:
Short-haul exceptions: Drivers who use the short-haul, or time-card exceptions, are not required to keep records of duty status (RODS) or use ELDs. These drivers are ones who use the 100 air-mile radius exception (operate within a 100 air-mile radius of their normal work reporting location and return to the work reporting location at the end of each duty tour) or the non-CDL vehicle 150 air-mile radius exception (operate within a 150 air-mile radius of the location where the driver reports for duty and the driver returns to the normal reporting location at the end of each duty tour).
Driveaway-towaway exception: If the vehicle being driven is the commodity being delivered, or if the vehicle being transported is a motor home or a recreation vehicle trailer with one or more sets of wheels on the surface of the roadway.
Pre-2000 vehicle exception: Commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) with engines manufactured before the year 2000 are exempt from the ELD mandate. This exemption exists because some older vehicles may not support modern ELDs.
Intermittent RODS recording: Drivers who use paper logs for 8 days or less in any 30-day period are exempt from the ELD mandate.
Here are some of the exemptions to the ELD mandate in Canada, similar to the United States:
Short-haul drivers: Drivers who operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) within 160 kilometers of their home terminal are exempt from the ELD mandate.
School buses: School buses are exempt from the ELD mandate.
Volunteer firefighters: Volunteer firefighters who are driving a CMV to or from a fire are exempt from the ELD mandate.
Vehicles manufactured before 2000: CMVs manufactured before 2000 are exempt from the ELD mandate.
Drivers who use paper logs: Drivers who use paper logs for 8 days or less in any 30-day period are exempt from the ELD mandate.
Drivers who use Automatic On-Board Recording Devices (AOBRDs): Drivers who use AOBRDs that were installed before December 31, 2017 are exempt from the ELD mandate.
It’s important to note that these exemptions are subject to change, so carriers and drivers should regularly review the latest guidelines to ensure they remain in compliance. Also, even when an ELD is not required due to these exceptions, there are often still other HOS recordkeeping requirements that apply.
Contact us for more information and trucking laws as well as your load hauling needs.
