What is an ELD
ELD, or electronic logging device, is a system that monitors a commercial vehicle's driving hours. Self-certification involves the manufacturer affirming compliance with government standards.
In this section, we delve into the fundamentals,
- The definition of ELD
- Key function features
- The necessary specifications.
Additionally, we guide you on selecting a suitable ELD that meets regulatory criteria for effective fleet management.
What is an electronic logging device
An electronic logging device (ELD) is a system comprising hardware connected to a vehicle's engine control module.
Linked to the diagnostic port, it automatically monitors drive time, maintaining records of duty status (RODS) and other essential data. This ELD system ensures accurate, automated recordkeeping and facilitates efficient fleet management by overseeing drive time and hours of service (HOS) compliance.
All ELDs must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and undergo self-certification for Federal mandate compliance. Non-registered ELDs, even if correctly installed, do not meet FMCSA standards.
Explore our comprehensive guide to the ELD Mandate for a thorough understanding of its varied requirements.
What information is recorded by an ELD
The FMCSA mandates that an ELD records specific data at predefined intervals, including:
- Date
- Time
- Location (expressed in latitude/longitude with proximity details to identifiable locations)
- Engine hours
- Miles driven
- Identification information of the driver, motor carrier, and vehicle
- Engine power status- measures the amount of power that an engine can exert, typically expressed by kilowatt horsepower.
- Vehicle motion status
- Duty status indicating vehicle movement regardless of the driver's duty status.
Key functions and features
ELDs in compliance must possess the following features:
- Establish distinct user accounts for drivers and administrative users.
- Automatically record driving time at least every 60 minutes, detailing date, time, location, miles driven, engine hours, and driver identification.
- Maintain secure synchronization with the engine control module, documenting vehicle motion and engine power status.
- Synchronize time with coordinated universal time (UTC).
- Ensure location accuracy within a one-mile radius during on-duty driving and a 10-mile radius during permitted personal use.
- Prompt drivers to review unidentified trips, either claiming or disavowing them.
- Provide drivers access to their ELD records electronically or in print when needed.
- Retain data for the current 24-hour period and the previous seven consecutive days.
- Prevent tampering or erasure of originally recorded data.
- Present standardized data to safety officials upon request, through screen display or printout, including daily header, graph grid displaying duty status changes, and detailed daily log information.
- Support electronic data transfer through telematics (email and wireless web services) or local transfer (Bluetooth and USB 2.0).
- Specify driver certification and annotation requirements for record revisions.
- Authenticate driver logs at the end of each 24-hour period.
- Include volume adjustments or a mute option for any audio feature.
What are requirements of an ELD
According to FMCSA regulations, ELD compliance involves meeting three key requirements:
- Technical Specifications: ELDs must adhere to specified technical criteria, such as powering on within one minute of the vehicle engine receiving power, synchronizing with the truck's engine, and tracking relevant data like engine power status and miles driven.
- Data Transfer Standards: ELDs must use wireless web services, following standards like Web Services Description Language (WSDL) 1.1, Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) 1.2, and Extensible Markup Language (XML) 1.0 (5th edition). Data transfer via email using RFC 5321 Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) is also mandated.
- Inclusion in FMCSA's List: ELDs must be on FMCSA's list of self-certified devices, including: the company name of the manufacturer or vendor, the authorized person validating ELD compliance, and the registrant's address, telephone number, and email address.
Which ELD should you use?
Prioritize compliance in your decision-making process when selecting an ELD system. Confirm its presence on the FMCSA list of self-registered ELDs, ensuring compliance with technical specifications. Research vendors extensively, assessing product details, depth, and customer support through platforms like the Better Business Bureau.
Choose an ELD that integrates seamlessly with driver safety and GPS tracking solutions for comprehensive fleet management.
Lastly, schedule a product demo with the provider to understand its functionality, features, and how it aids FMCSA compliance. Explore Advaya's FMCSA-registered ELD solution on our compliance solutions page and request a complimentary compliance demo.