Truck drivers are on the road working long hours and putting their devices and driving accessories through a lot of use. And since the ELD rule first took hold way back in 2017, trucking companies have found themselves having to adjust how they monitor their truck drivers and what technology they use.
As of December, of last year, the ELD rule is finally, completely in place. As it stands, the ELD mandate requires truck drivers to use an electronic logging device to record their hours of service as part of their normal record of duty status (RODS) time. While there are some exceptions to the rule, for the most part, those who are not properly logging their time can expect a violation that impacts both truck driver and motor carrier.
No one wants to be put out of service, but you never know what could happen. In some extreme circumstances, a fleet’s entire operation can be put under the spotlight of an audit by the FMCSA. This is the worst-case scenario. That is why it is so important to ensure you are using the proper device and properly complying.
A Recap on the Rule
To ensure compliance with the ELD mandate, truck drivers are required to provide an inspector with either a printout of their RODS or they must be able to pull it up on the display of the ELD. Truck drivers must also have a data transfer capability that supports Bluetooth or USB 2.0 data transfer. Although these may seem like technical matters, not complying with them can easily result in a needless violation.
The ELD mandate consists of many regulations. For the purpose of today’s blog article, we are going to talk about the rules that cover the device’s display. There is a rule that allows for a computer, tablet, or smartphone to be used to e-sign and store a truck driver’s RODS information. For more specific information on the display guidelines, see FMCSR 395.8. In short, the display must show:
- A daily header
- A graph grid
- Driving duty status changes
- Daily log data
Today you can get an ELD that has all of these and more. Many companies now offer comprehensive telematics integration into their ELDs. You can track everything from events to specified driving data. We went from a situation with too many disparate devices to a more unified environment. But with so much at stake, how do you ensure your trucking company stays in technical compliance?
Maintaining Technical Compliance
One of the biggest problems motor carriers have been having is remaining in technical compliance. From 2017 to 2018, it was the wild, wild west of ELD compliance. New companies were coming onto the market and fleets were not entirely yet sure what was a quality product and what would be insufficient and result in a violation. Fleets would sign up with a company only to find them go out of business and then there is no support for the machines they just purchased.
Motor carriers now look to partner with vendors wo have a proven track record and longevity in the industry. The last thing a successful fleet manager wants is to be left high and dry when their preferred ELD vendor goes out of business. Fortunately, there are other providers who can step into the gap. But how much business is lost in the meantime?
Maintaining technical compliance becomes a lot harder when a device cannot be relied on. If an ELD is detached from the main docking component in the cab, what if it is dropped? Will you have to find yourself another ELD provider because the device you have now is not rugged enough for the job? This is especially true if you are operating in harsh environments. But how do you go about finding a vendor that has the device you need?
Finding a Vendor
Now that the rule has been in place for a few years, the market has had time to mature. Most of the players in the space now have been successful and offer solutions that can be relied upon. These aren’t companies that are likely to go out of business tomorrow. Still, that does not mean it is going to be easy to pick the right partner.
As we have learned throughout this process, not all ELD hardware is created equal. On a fundamental level, an ELD vendor needs to have experience and a positive reputation within the trucking industry. Do they come with solid referrals from other trucking companies? How well do they abide by the rules? Consider the following questions:
- Can the provider verify that its device meets all of the technical specifications in the ELD Rule?
- Does its display include the required standardized data to authorized safety officials on demand — including the three display elements: a daily header, a graph grid showing driving duty status changes, and detailed daily log data?
- Is it capable of transferring data either via USB 2.0 or Bluetooth and/or via a web or e-mail transfer interface?
- Does it have a volume control or mute functionality?
If there is a malfunction or problem with the device, what contingency plans does the vendor have in place? And how quickly can they come to your aid if you have questions, comments, concerns or recommendations? Always remember that there is a timeline between when you discover a problem with your device and when it needs to be fixed: Only eight days. And it does not matter whether you have one device or 100, they all need to be addressed within that eight-day window.
Beyond finding a vendor, however, you need to consider the device. If you are running construction loads on heavy dirt roads or getting in and out of your truck, it may be time to consider a device that can take a beating.
Why Rugged Devices Are Practical
Truck drivers are using their devices daily. And if you are using smartphones or tablets to emulate the job an ELD does, then you want to make sure the device doesn’t prematurely break. These things are not cheap. So, what should you look for in a tough tablet?
- The ability to handle constant wear and tear.
- Resistance to major fluctuations in temperature.
- Not easily breakable when dropped from a short distance.
- Portable and strong cellular or WiFi connectivity.
- Long-lasting batteries that won’t require truck drivers to constantly monitor their systems.
- A bright, easily readable display that can be read just as easily at noon as it is at midnight.
- All-environment support with the ability to be operated while the user is wearing gloves.
When you work in an industry with lots of movement, vibration, and location changes, it is not difficult to see how investing in tough devices is a smart investment decision. The fact is a tough device will help keep a fleet operating violation-free no matter what conditions they are working in.
Also consider that tough, rugged devices are more reliable and offer longer up-time than their more conventional counterparts. Devices built for toughness generally have a far lower failure rate all while they can be used in tougher and more taxing environments.
The Final Word
One thing to consider is cost. Because a higher level of engineering goes into making devices that last, you will usually find they come with a higher price tag. But consider your return on investment. Generally, the long life of these devices will result in them paying for themselves within the first 12 months of use. It does not matter what size your fleet is, there are tough tablet and rugged device options for any size and application.
In many cases, you can also find a variety of comprehensive warranty and customer service options for tough devices. You want to go with an option that provides for repairs and replacements within 24 hours of the original service ticket being entered. Is there also an end-of-life cycle option? Some OEMs provide replacements provided the fleet turns in the old devices.
In the end, you will have more peace of mind knowing the devices you invest your hard-earned money on won’t prematurely fail on you. After all, it was a wise man that once said, “The bitter taste of low quality lingers far after the sweet taste of low price fades away.” Do the smart thing and pick quality over quantity when you are investing in compliance-critical devices.