What the ELD Rule Means for Your CMV Trucking

The ELD (Electronic Logging Device) mandate is now compulsory and it’s important to take a few minutes to review your fleet’s current situation and your roadmap ahead to make sure you stay compliant.

The good news is that it’s also an opportunity to look at what devices you’re using and consider the benefits of switching to e-logging if your drivers currently use paper-based logbooks.

Will my fleet be affected by the ELD changes?

If you currently need to log Hours of Service (HOS) then the new ELD mandate affects you. Essentially all CMVs (Commercial Vehicle Carriers) that operate across state lines will be impacted, which extends to more than four million commercial drivers around the country.

There are some exemptions such as CMV drivers that travel across an area smaller than 150 miles (also known as short haul) or they’re only logging eight days or less across the entire month.

What’s the ELD ruling?

The FMCSA have outlined the requirements for the new Electronic Logging Device mandate. Devices used will need to:

• Engine link: Have a direct connection to the vehicle’s engine for trucks manufactured after 2000.
• Certified device: To be certified by the ELD manufacturer that the device meets the FMCSA’s new, more stringent certification requirements.
• Electronically send HOS: Transfer Hours of Service data to law enforcement officers using wireless services of various types (e.g. Bluetooth, wireless).

Fleets using 395.15 compliant devices will have an additional two years after the enforcement date to make any required updates.

When will the ELD mandate come into effect?

The FMCSA published the Final Rule on December 10, 2015 (see a more detailed timeline).

The opportunity to comment on the rulings closes May 27, 2014, after which the FMCSA expects to spend up to nine months reviewing feedback and finalizing the technical requirements and enforcement timeline.

6reasons to be compliant early

While some CMV fleets have moved to e-logs many are still using paper logbooks. Sometimes it’s just because they’ve never looked at the alternatives. They’re not aware of what options or hardware is available, nor the benefits of switching to an electronic logging device as part of a connected telematics system.

Since full compliance is still some time away it’s tempting for carriers to put off adopting ELDs until later. But consider the following six key benefits to changing over now:

1. Hours of Service (HOS) compliance: It’s not just about keeping a good record with the DOT, it’s about keeping your drivers safe. Maintaining good HOS minimizes driver fatigue and reduces the accident count.
2. Hard braking: Electronic logging of driver behavior alerts you to incidents of unsafe and wasteful driving.
3. Speeding: In-cab alerts and management reporting has seen fleets reduce speeding by 90%. A GPS vehicle tracking solution can provide you with accurate speeding metrics against actual posted limits.
4. Idle time: Are you measuring unproductive idling? How much fuel is being wasted with idling? 
5. Out of route miles: Do you know how efficient your drivers are getting from A to B, and everywhere in between? A GPS vehicle tracking solution can not only show you how much you can save by optimizing your existing routing but also make sure that your drivers are following the plan - every day of the week.
6. Fuel: Fuel savings can be found, not just in reducing speeding, unproductive idling or wasteful driving, but also in making sure that every cent spent on a fuel card is authorized.

Compliance is just the start

Compliance changes might feel like a government stick but switching to an ELD compliant solution can offer its fair share of carrots. In fact, the CMV operators already using a GPS vehicle tracking solution for HOS compliance find that the savings in reduced fuel spend is paying for the entire solution. Let us show you how we can make that happen for you.

Get a solution that’s already compliant, and will stay compliant through the coming legislative changes for CMV fleets. Sign up for a free demo and talk to one of our product specialists.