ELD Requirements for Trucking Companies

Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) have become a critical tool to ensure compliance and safety in the trucking industry. An ELD in its most basic sense is a digital device that automatically records a driver's Hours of Service (HOS) and additional driving data. ELDs are intended to replace traditional paper logbooks and provide a more accurate and efficient way to track driver activity.

The ELD is connected to the vehicle's engine to monitor driving time and automatically updates the driver's record of duty status when employed in tandem with a Transportation Management System. The accurate recording of driving hours, breaks, and rest periods, help ensure drivers are compliant with Hours of Service (HOS) regulations and many countries have instituted ELD requirements for trucking companies to promote driver safety.

Benefits of Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) in Trucking

The transition from traditional paper logbooks to Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) has helped. trucking companies become more efficient, safe, and accountable. These digital devices automatically record important data about a driver's Hours of Service (HOS), streamline compliance processes, and give trucking companies the ability to better optimize their operations. This shift towards ELDs has yielded a number of significant benefits that contribute to a more productive and profitable industry.

• Improved Record Keeping — ELDs automatically generate accurate driving records that simplify compliance and reduce the risk of errors or violations.
• Improved Driver Safety — By enforcing Hours of Service regulations, ELDs help prevent driver fatigue, a major cause of accidents.
• Reduced Paperwork — ELDs eliminate the need for manual logbooks, saving time and reducing manual data entry tasks.
• Reduced Risk for Errors — Manual logbooks are prone to errors and ELDs minimize this risk by automatically recording data.
• Improved Compliance — ELDs ensure compliance with HOS regulations, reducing the risk of fines and penalties for trucking companies.
• Reduced Administrative Costs — By streamlining records and compliance processes, ELDs can help freight companies save money on administrative work.

Is ELD Required for Trucking Companies in the United States?

Yes. ELDs are required for most commercial trucks and vehicles in the United States. A law put into place by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires that vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or gross combination weight rating over 10,000 pounds must have an ELD. The devices equipped must be approved by the FMCSA. Additional vehicles that are subject to the FMCSA regulation include vehicles manufactured to carry nine or more passengers and vehicles that haul hazardous materials that require warning signs. 

Is ELD Required for Trucking Companies in Canada?

Electronic Logging Devices are also required for all federally regulated commercial motor vehicles in Canada via a mandate that was put into effect in June 2021. The Canadian ELD regulations are similar to the U.S. regulations and require that vehicles have a tamper-resistant ELD that automatically records drive time and must be compliant with the Commercial Vehicle Drivers Hours of Service Regulations and are required to meet ELD standards.  Penalties for violations of the ELD mandate include a $25,000 fine for knowledge of falsified records and additional fines. 

READ MORE: Top Trends Facing the Trucking Industry in 2025

ELDs have become an important part of the trucking industry that help ensure compliance, promote safety, and make operations more efficient — but it is important that companies understand ELD requirements for trucking companies. By embracing ELD technology and integrating it with a comprehensive Transportation Management System (TMS) like TransPlus TMS, trucking companies can upgrade operations, reduce costs, and stay ahead of the competition.

Contact TransPlus today for a demo and experience the power of a high-quality transportation management system!

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