It’s no secret: the trucking industry is experiencing some pretty big changes in regulations. Whether you are talking about electronic logging devices (ELD) or speed limiters, there is plenty to remember when it comes to staying in regulatory compliance.
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Yet, when the rules change or are complex or confusing, keeping up can be difficult. So the best way to stay ahead of the game is to always have the right information. You have to know what it all means and how it affects your business.
In this new ongoing series, we are going to take a deeper look at all of the regulations that will impact our industry, from 2017 on. Today, we are going to take a look at the ELD Mandate.
The ELD Mandate
Let’s get right into the details. First, if you are operating vehicles using Automatic Onboard Recording Devices – which are essentially early versions of ELDs – you have an extra two years to upgrade your equipment to meet the new regulatory standards.
You can also be exempted if you are a short haul or time card driver. This includes vehicles operating within a 100 air-mile radius or non-CDL drivers who are operating within a 10 air-mile radius. One exemption to this rule includes any truck driver exceeding service limits on a time card for more than eight days in a rolling 30-day period.
Trucks manufactured before 2000 will also be exempt from ELD requirements for the simple reason that their onboard computers will not be able to interface with today’s advanced electronic logging devices.
Larger fleets welcome the new regulation mainly because of the number of benefits they get from using the devices. In a world of paperless logs, a fleet manager will be better able to discern and verify drivers’ records. If an accident occurs, the information will all be cataloged.
Things like acceleration and breaking data become easily accessible. Time presenting information back to inspectors can be cut in half.
What You Need to Know
When it comes to the type of ELD they use, fleets do have some leeway in meeting government requirements. ELDs can either be a dedicated device or can connect up to a laptop, tablet or smartphone.
Motor carriers can also have data wirelessly transmitted to their facilities or downloaded by wire into a company computer every 13 days. There are specific requirements that, though complex, outline how the ELD should be used.
They include:
- The ELD must automatically records at certain intervals.
- The ELD must record date, time, location, engine hours, vehicle miles, and driver identification information.
- The ELD must be available to be read outside the cab by a law enforcement officer or another authorized individual. Whether it is wired or wireless, it must be able to be handed to someone outside the vehicle.
- When the vehicle is in motion the ELD must be mounted.
- The ELD must capture locations down to within one mile. There is an exception here: When the truck driver is operating under ‘personal conveyance,’ such as driving an unloaded truck from a terminal or to their place of residence.
- THE ELD must be tamper resistant and from an approved manufacturer. The data within the ELD must be encrypted to prevent hacking.
- Anyone who drives the vehicle must have their own unique identification code entered into the ELD. Whether it be a mechanic testing the vehicle or a shop worker moving it from one place to another, they must have an identification number put into the ELD.
- The ELD must have a mute button.
- ELD logs must be kept on file for at least six months. Any log changes must be certified by the operator.
While this is just a base summarization of these complex rules, it represents the meat and bones of what you need to know. Join us in our next installment of this series when we take a look at the latest on the Safety Fitness Determination Rule.