As of December 18, 2017, trucking companies will be required to use E-logs. With an average cost of $495 per year, that’s an expense that will now need to be part of your budget. All commercial motor vehicle drivers will need to comply with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s ELD rule.
What is the ELD Rule?
This rule was established to improve commercial vehicle safety and reduce overall paperwork for both motor carriers and drivers. Annually, the FMCSA estimates 1,844 crashes could be avoided, with 26 lives saved after the new E-log devices are in place. E-logs are also designed to prevent driver harassment by employers, deterring carriers from attempting to force ill or fatigued drivers out on the road.
Basic E-log Requirements
- ELDs must be used by commercial drivers who are required to prepare hours-of-service (HOS) records of duty status (RODS).
- ELDs must be certified and registered with FMCSA.
- Drivers and carriers must keep specific supporting documents.
- Drivers are not to be harassed over ELD data – this data may actually back up claims of drivers who believe they have been harassed.
Limited Exceptions
- If you’re a driver who operates under the short-haul exceptions, you may continue using timecards. Because you aren’t required to keep RODS, you won’t need to use ELDs.
- If you’re a driver who uses paper RODS for not more than 8 days out of every 30-day period, you won’t need an ELD.
- If you’re a driver who conducts drive-away-tow-away operations, an ELD isn’t required.
- If you drive vehicles manufactured before 2000, an ELD isn’t needed (it requires synchronization with the electronic control module, which isn’t possible in older trucks).
Your ELD is Required to:
Automatically record date, time, location information, engine hours, vehicle miles and identification information for you, the carrier, and your vehicle.
- Record all information at least hourly when the vehicle is in motion.
- Record all of the elements changes in duty status
- Record changes to a special driving category, such as a yard move.
Drawbacks to the ELD Requirement
The major drawback to the ELD requirement is the anticipated loss of productivity for drivers. Being micromanaged by the FMCSA will most likely result in less miles being driven by each driver, which will drive up costs and slow down delivery times. Additionally, small trucking companies with fewer resources will get hit hard with the upfront cost of the ELD as well as the monthly subscription cost that comes along with it. Furthermore, as the regulations are currently written, drivers have very little flexibility in bending the hours of service rules without being penalized. Many trucking companies are claiming that this rule may actually cause more accidents, since drivers will be forced to stay off the road even if they are not tired. This may result in truckers driving at other times when they actually may be fatigued.
The new regulations can be confusing, but if you stay informed, you can stay on top of the requirements and avoid complications. For more information, visit the FMCSA’s FAQ at: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/hours-service/elds/faqs