What is the ELD Rule?

The ELD Rule, or Electronic Logging Device mandate, is a regulation established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in collaboration with the Department of Transportation (DoT). It aims to replace paper logs of driver hours with electronic logs to ensure accurate recording and monitoring of drivers’ hours of service. The rule went into effect on December 18th, 2017. Its implementation helps eliminate the practice of falsifying paper logs and promotes compliance with the hours of service regulations.

Reasoning

The main reasoning behind the ELD rule is the increased difficulty in falsifying digital logs compared to paper logs. By mandating the use of electronic logging devices, the goal is to improve compliance with hours of service regulations and reduce exhaustion-related fatalities in the transportation industry. Digital logs provide a more accurate and reliable record of drivers’ hours, making it harder to manipulate or falsify the data. In addition, the transition to digital logging simplifies the logging process as the records are automatically recorded, reducing the burden on drivers and improving overall efficiency in compliance management.

Requirements and Exemptions

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website, drivers using an Electronic Logging Device (ELD) are required to have an ELD information packet on-board their vehicle. This packet includes an operator’s manual for the ELD, malfunction reporting requirements, a supply of blank driver’s records of duty status (RODS), and other related information.

While the ELD rule applies to the vast majority of commercial vehicle drivers, there are certain exemptions:

  • Short-haul drivers: They are exempt from using an ELD, but they still need to use RODS to record their hours of service.
  • Drivers who use RODS infrequently: They are allowed to use paper RODS for no more than 8 days out of every 30-day period. Beyond that, they must use an ELD.
  • Drive-away-tow-away operators: These operators, who transport vehicles as part of their business, are exempt from the ELD rule.
  • Drivers of vehicles manufactured before the year 2000: Vehicles that were manufactured before the year 2000 are not required to have an ELD installed.
  • It’s important for drivers and carriers to understand and comply with the specific requirements and exemptions related to the ELD rule to ensure regulatory compliance and safe operations.

Grandfather Clause

The ELD rule includes a “grandfather clause” that provides a two-year grace period for vehicles equipped with Automatic On-Board Recording Devices (AOBRDs) before they are required to transition to Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs). This grace period ended on December 16th, 2019. However, it’s important to note that the AOBRDs must have been installed by December 18th, 2017, and meet the criteria set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

We hope this overview of the ELD rule has provided you with useful information. If you’re in need of fleet tracking solutions, please don’t hesitate to contact JAM SkyForce for a consultation today.

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