Few things have riled up the trucking community more than the pending Electronic Logging Device (ELD) rule. Trucking organizations took opposing sides of the issue and one attempt to stop it went as far as the U.S. Supreme Court.

Though legislation has been introduced in Congress to delay implementation for two years, the smart money says the December 2017 deadline will remain. So what does that mean for drivers who don’t yet use ELDs? Here’s what you need to know:

The rule: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is requiring that paper logbooks recording Hours of Service (HOS) be replaced by Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) for most commercial carriers.

The compliance deadline: Dec. 18, 2017. A recently introduced bill in Congress would delay implementation two years, but it faces long odds.

Who’s covered: All motor carriers and drivers currently required to maintain records of duty status (RODS). Applies to commercial buses as well as trucks. Trucks based in Canada and Mexico that operate in the U.S. are included.

Who’s exempt: Short-haul drivers who are not required to keep RODS. Drivers who use paper RODS for not more than 8 days out of every 30-day period. Drivers who conduct drive-away-tow-away operations to deliver trucks. Drivers of vehicles manufactured before 2000.

What ELDs do:  They synchronize with truck engines to record when the truck is in operation and track HOS. However, most are capable of recording far more types of data, including driving behavior such as speeding, idling and hard braking. Most pass the data to a safety or fleet manager.

The FMCSA website contains more information, including training. Also, Overdrive has a collection of in-depth stories about ELDs.

 

Myths about ELDs

There are a lot of untruths and misconceptions out there about ELDs. Here are some of the most common:

1. ELDs shut down trucks if HOS limits are violated. Actually, the ELD mandate does not require remote shutdown capability. Though some ELDs have this capacity, their primary function is to alert the driver of possible HOS violations in time to allow the driver to find a safe place to park.
2. ELDS are distracting and hard to use. Once ELDs are installed, they work virtually automatically and require less paperwork than the paper logs they replace. All the driver has to do is select duty status and drive.
3. ELDs are expensive. Prices vary widely, depending on manufacturer, platform, capabilities and more. The FMCSA estimates the average annual cost at $495 per truck with a range of $165 to $832 per truck. Many ELDs also include other useful capabilities, such as GPS.
4. ELDs are an invasion of privacy. Most fleet trucks already are equipped with devices that transmit their location and other information to HQ. ELDs do not transmit data to law enforcement agencies.
5. ELDs mean less money for drivers. The ELD mandate does not include new HOS requirements. It only does a better job of enforcing them. Drivers who routinely violated HOS rules to earn more could find themselves driving (and earning) less.

 

What drivers think about ELDs

With all the controvers over the ELD mandate, we thought we’d check with drivers who have been using them for years to see their experience. We asked RoadPro Pro Driver Council members what they thought about the devices. Here’s what they told us:

What has your ELD experience been like?

“My experience has been mostly good. When I first got on it, there was a bit of a learning curve. I had to rethink how I was looking for parking, fueling, etc. especially when it involved the end of my day. It wasn't anything that was difficult to overcome; it just requires a bit more trip planning and using your head. You have to think ahead, which we are supposed to be doing anyway.” – Owner-operator Thomas Miller, who has used an ELD for six years.

“There is adjustment period during the first month or so. At first, you feel under the gun to get the most out of every minute of time. After some time, you learn to settle down as it is no different than an accurate paper log book. There are some bonuses, though: easy to use, less chance of a form and manner mistake and IFTA reporting are all made easier.” -- Henry Albert, owner of Albert Transport in Statesville, N.C. He recently reinstalled an ELD after using one years before.

“I love it. Easy, saves time and no mistakes can be made. Takes away human error in written log books. I think it is the way of the future for trucking industry. It will alleviate missing logs and errors. You can't run over your hours unless you ignore the system, which drivers still do.” -- Joanne Fatta, a driver for Sunrise Transport in Pennsylvania, which installed ELDs a year ago.

“At first, I thought I would hate it. I have discovered I like it, in the sense it allows my dispatcher to stay current on my hours without having to call me, which equals better utilization, which equals more miles. Also, I make fewer mistakes, such as form and manner and not adding up numbers properly etc.” -- Tom Kyrk, a fleet driver out of Dallas who has used ELDs for years.

 

Should ELDs be required?

“I am not much on requirements being forced upon us. That being said, there have to be rules of engagement. It does create a level playing field for large or small carriers in regards to hours of service. In the end, the same people who flourished before ELDs should continue to do so after December 17. Some will figure it out quicker than others.” -- Albert

“If you are logging legally on paper, e-logs will make little to no difference. For those who say they cause more accidents and other issues, my response is e-logs are not the problem, they are a symptom of the true problem, which is hours of service. In my opinion, the arguments against e-logs are red herrings versus the root causes or concerns on privacy and hours of service.” -- Kyrk

“Yes, I believe they should be required. However, I hate the fact that our industry has arrived at the point that it is needed. The biggest amount of complaints I have seen have been from those that will no longer be able to cheat. I have seen ‘what if I'm an hour from home, now I can't make it,’ ‘what if I'm out of hours at a shipper, now I can't leave.’ They weren’t supposed to be doing that on paper logs, but on paper, it can be hidden. There is nothing that ELDs are going to require that isn't already supposed to be done now per the HOS regulations.” – Miller

“I have no problem with them being required, other than if I was an owner-operator I might not be able to afford it. On that note, I don't know. But I do think everyone should have to run legal. And an ELD keeps you legal.” -- Libby Clayton, company driver.