ELD devices are a crucial part of the trucking industry. ELDs ensure regulatory compliance with hours of service regulations by being able to automatically record driving time and provide accurate hours. They can also help improve fleet management, monitor vehicle speed and driver behavior, and ultimately improve driver safety.
In the modern age, ELDs have replaced traditional paper logs for recording driver hours. ELDs make monitoring a driver’s duty status much easier for fleet managers and owners. Now, an owner can view driver logs anytime to ensure that things are running smoothly.
FMCSA’s ELD Rule
As of December 18th, 2017, when a driver uses an ELD, they must carry an information package in their truck. This packet can be in electronic form. A driver must carry both an instruction manual and an instruction sheet for the process of recording hours of service. They must also have enough blank driver’s records of duty status graph grids to record their status for eight days.
The FMCSA allows you to put an ELD on a smartphone. However, it is always a good idea to have a separate device. You must keep your ELD data on file for six months and use a registered device. You have to protect your driver’s right to privacy in this situation, and our ELDs have the latest security.
What is the purpose of an ELD?
Electronic logging devices can keep track of everything that a trucker does during their day. The ELD device complies with the FMCSA mandate to record the date, time, location, engine hours, miles driven, identification information, engine power and vehicle motion status, as well as driver duty status. All this data is logged automatically.
The device is plugged into the Onboard Diagnostic Port. It can determine how far the vehicle has been driven and show the amount of gas that has been used on any given trip. Not only can this remarkable device ensure that your drivers are not on the road longer than they should be, but It can also monitor many of your driver’s activities. No more worrying about where your drivers are and what they are doing.
If you are using older vehicles that do not have an ODP, you will still be required to use an Electronic Logging Device to record driving hours of service. There are some ELD Models that do not require an Onboard Diagnostic Port. Our state-of-the-art electronic logging devices will ensure drivers are doing what they are supposed to at all times.
Hours of Service
A driver is only allowed to drive for 11 consecutive hours at a time. The ELD records will be able to tell you how long drivers are on the road and exactly where they are when they stop. Drivers will also be able to record all of their break time, including lunches. They will also be able to record their off-duty time and the time they spend in their sleeping berth on this device.
Record of Duty Status
The HOS rules are not only about drive time. The FMCSA requires that a driver makes a record of each of their activities, such as when they are doing an inspection, loading or unloading a truck, or gassing up the truck. Your drivers cannot work more than 14 hours in total, and this handy device will let them know exactly how long they have been on duty. Our ELDs allow drivers to record each of their activities. When an FMCSA auditor arrives at your facility to do your new entrant audit, you will be able to show them meticulously kept electronic records if you use this device.
Dispatch and Routing
Routing is one of the most important factors in running a successful trucking company. Top Up Logistics knows that there is much more to consider than the distance between two points when planning how to get your cargo from one place to another. We will consider all of the stops you have to make, the fuel and weight taxes you will pay, and the safety of the roads.
You should know that even the best route plans in the world will not work unless your driver follows them. The ELD allows the dispatcher to see where the driver is and correct them if they go off course.
Accident Reporting
Trucking accidents are often very expensive. It is important to make a detailed report when an accident happens. A truck accident may result in millions of dollars worth of damages. Your insurance company will want to see proof of all the damages you claim, and EDL can help prove your driver did nothing wrong.
