Understanding ELDs and FAQs
Congress passed the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) bill in 2012, which required the commercial trucking industry to switch to Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) and for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to create rules for these ELDs. The goal was to bring the trucking industry into the new century with current technology designed to cut costs and improve accuracy and safety.
What is an Electronic Logging Device?
Simply put, ELDs are electronic systems that record a driver’s Hours of Service (HOS). The ELD is meant to replace paper logs that drivers and companies have relied on since 1938. By December 16, 2017, all CDL drivers who keep a Record of Duty Status (RODS) will be required to use some type of ELD.
Electronic logging devices must be able to do very specific things:
- Connect to a truck’s engine to record if it’s moving or not
- Allow a driver to log-in to select their status: off-duty, on-duty, or on-duty but not driving
- Display a driver’s RODS at a quick, easy glance
Take a look at the Frequently Asked Questions below to learn more: