Common Frequently Asked Questions About the ELD Rule
7 Mar 2017
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has put the ELD (Electronic Logging Device) rule into place and it is causing a great deal of speculation among businesses that may be affected by these new requirements.
Below you will find answers to some of the more commonly asked questions and concerns regarding this new rule and what it means for motor carriers and drivers.
What primary requirements does the ELD rule put into place?
There are several principal requirements outlined in the ELD rule including the requirement that drivers who are currently required to fill out hours-of-service RODS (records of duty status) use ELDs. It also establishes performance and design standards required for ELDs to be compliant with FMCSA certification and defines which documents drivers and carriers must keep to be compliant. It also goes so far as to prohibit the harassment of drivers and provides an avenue of recourse for drivers who have been subjected to harassment.
Why was the ELD rule established?
The ELD rule applies to most drivers or carriers who are currently required to maintain RODS. It was established in hopes of creating work environments that are safer for drivers as its primary concern. It also serves to make the management, tracking, and sharing of RODS data easier, faster, more accurate, and more efficient.
When are carriers and drivers required to comply with the ELD rule?
The deadline for drivers and carriers to comply with the ELD rule by using appropriate electronic logging devices, is December 18, 2017. Drivers and carriers who are currently using automatic on-board recording devices have additional time, until December 16, 2019, to become compliant with the new regulations.
How long are carriers required to maintain copies of RODS data from ELDs?
Motor carriers are required to keep not only ELD RODS date, but also back-up copies of the date on separate devices for six months. The carrier is also charged with the responsibility of properly storing and securing this information in order to protect the privacy of its drivers.
When is location data recorded by ELDs?
Electronic logging devices software will record location data in 60-minute intervals when vehicles are in motion as well as when drivers start and turn off their engines, record a change of duty status, or indicate yard moves are taking place. GPS tracking technology is highly useful for providing accuracy for this critical element.
What information is automatically recorded by electronic logging devices?
ELDs will follow the following types of information at specific intervals:
- Date
- Time
- Location information (similar to how some GPS tracking devices record information)
- Engine hours
- Vehicle miles
It will also record identification information about the driver, vehicle, motor carrier, and/or authenticated user.
Can ELDs be used to warn drivers who are approaching HOS (hours-of-service) limits?
As one of the key elements of the ELD rule is to safeguard drivers and ensure compliance with HOS requirements, it is completely fitting that companies may choose to use electronic logging devices that offer some type of warning or notification that drivers are approaching their HOS limits for the day. While this feature is allowed on ELDs it is not required so drivers and carriers may want to consider this when selecting an ELD software solution.
For additional FAQs related to the ELD Rule, see the FMCSA website.
To learn more about our electronic logging software solution available at LiveView GPS, contact a LiveView GPS expert at 1-888-544-0494, complete our online form, or join our online chat.
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