A Guide to FMCSA ELD Mandate and Compliance

If you’re in commercial transportation, you’ve probably heard about the FMCSA ELD mandate. The majority of commercial drivers have to comply with this mandate from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, but who is exempt? And how do you know if you qualify for exemption in order to avoid penalties?

Below are a few pointers about the mandate, exemptions for drivers, and how to comply. For more detail on a carrier’s compliance with this mandate, Federal Motor Carrier Authority Online Filings also provides a trucking company compliance checklist.

Defining the ELD Mandate

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration aims to improve safety for large vehicles, and one solution they’ve implemented is the use of electronic logging devices. Specifically, the FMCSA ELD mandate is a measure to boost driver safety by enforcing the designated Hours of Service (HOS). Their goal is to reduce the number of accidents by helping drivers get enough rest.

Electronic Logging Device

Electronic Logging Devices attach to the motor of a commercial vehicle. They record the driving hours while the vehicle is in motion without requiring any extra effort from the driver. The device also records how long the engine runs and how many miles the vehicle travels on any given day.

Since 2016, ELDs have been mandatory for most commercial drivers so that all fleets can stay in compliance with safety regulations. With all the data collected, drivers can monitor their information through a mobile app while their home office tracks all its drivers with fleet management software. It’s so effective because ELDs provide full driver information without the organization needing to go through extra channels or wait for reports.

Complying With The FMCSA ELD Mandate

Each Electronic Logging Device in the fleet must meet the four key requirements below to comply with the FMCSA’s mandate.

Some Drivers Might Be Exempt, While Others Must Comply

While most drivers must utilize an ELD, there are a few exempt parties, including the following:

• Drivers with monthly Record of Duty Status (RODS) of less than 8 days
• Drivers who operate vehicles with motors built before the year 2000
• Drivers who don’t need to maintain a Record of Duty Status
• Some driveaway or towaway companies

Each Device Must Meet Certain Standards as Determined by the FMCSA

Not all devices are FMCSA-approved. To ensure you choose an approved ELD, check the FMCSA website. If you don’t see yours on the list, you need to find one that is compliant, or you could fail an inspection in the future.

All Drivers and Carriers Must Keep Supporting Documents

There are a number of necessary documents to keep on hand. Drivers can maintain electronic copies of the documents as opposed to keeping a physical copy inside their vehicle. Some of the documents include the following:

• Trip reports listing the city of origin and destination
• Any dispatch and trip records
• Settlements, payroll records, and other documents providing proof of payment

To prove validity, each document must list the name of the driver, the date and time of delivery, and the location.

Carriers May Not Coerce Drivers Into Longer Hours

Prior to the FMCSA ELD mandate, it was not uncommon for carriers to harass drivers to drive for longer or take shorter breaks. This ELD mandate explicitly prohibits any type of harassment or intimidation in an attempt to increase a driver’s hours. It aims to prevent carriers from forcing drivers into overtime or interrupting their off-duty hours. 

Since carriers can’t manipulate the ELD information, it is difficult for them to take advantage of drivers. Still, drivers who feel their carrier is in violation of the mandate may file a report within 90 days and trigger an investigation.

What Happens for Drivers Who Don’t Comply With the Mandate?

If a driver doesn’t have a compliant ELD or can’t provide an acceptable record of duty, they may have to pause service for eight to ten hours. After the penalty time, the driver can complete the trip using a handwritten trip log.

However, an ELD violation can result in a hefty daily penalty, which accrues until it reaches a maximum amount. The easiest way to avoid an out-of-service period and mounting fees is to install a compliant ELD.

Improve Motor Carrier Operations With a Compliant Electronic Logging Device

The original compliance deadline for the ELD mandate was in 2019. Until then, drivers could use AOBRD (Automatic On-Board Recording Devices) to log information. However, with the FMCSA ELD mandate now in place, all non-exempt drivers must use a compliant ELD.

The mandate protects drivers against false book violation penalties and aims to boost road safety. If you have questions about the process or requirements, The Federal Motor Carrier Authority Online Filings website can help answer them.

Connect with Federal Motor Carrier Authority Online Filings today through the chat feature or online form, and one of our representatives will reach out to you.