All About ELD Devices – A Ready Reckoner For Truck Owners

November 18, 2022 Zeeshan

If you are a CMV or commercial motor vehicle operator, you must follow the FMCSA guideline to operate them. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has mandated the installation of installing ELD Devices in every commercial vehicle, which should be complained to the DOT. As a commercial motor vehicle driver or fleet owner, you need to track every detail of your vehicle while on the road. However, if you are unaware of the ELD Devices, it is high time you know about them, do the needful, and stay smart.

The ELD Mandate

The Federal government introduced the ELD rule or Mandate in the year 2015. However, the FMCSA gave truck owners and fleet operators four years to comply with the system, and the last deadline was 16th December 2019. It regulates the CMV owners and fleet operators to maintain every record of their vehicles by mandatorily installing the ELD devices.

Usually, ELD compliance is needed by commercial fleet operators and drivers doing long haulage so that the device records every action and movement to follow the rules, avoid accidents due to overwork and strictly follow RODS. Fleet owners and truckers not complying with the rules have to pay the penalty as per the existing law of the Federal Government, and many times the trucks are not allowed to ply on the road. Besides transportation trucks, construction vehicles and commercial passenger transport vehicles must install ELD devices as per law. It ensures the safety of the vehicle, the drivers, and others on the road.

About Eld Systems

ELDs or electronic logging devices are nothing but hardware that records all real-time information about the vehicle and the driver. Usually, they are connected to the truck’s OBD port and record the details like the driving hours, speed, mileage, engine condition, location of the truck, and so on. Earlier, this was recorded manually in specific points, but with the advancement of technology, they are recorded through telematic systems.

Recording And Transmission Of Data

Almost all ELD devices are connected to the onboard diagnostic port or the OBD of the truck and relay information directly from the engine. With a GPS tracker attached, you can now locate the vehicle sitting anywhere in the world apart from getting all information like fuel consumption, engine condition, speed, and many other things.

Fleet managers not only monitor the data and do the needful but also transfer all information to DOT to inspect the vehicle while on the road. Modern ELD is replacing the paper logging system maintained earlier.

After recording the real-time data, the information is passed through an internet data plan or via Bluetooth to the operators. The operators use mobile apps to maintain the log. Many modern devices have WIFI in them, and the drivers can even get work-related emails, electronic work orders, and productivity resources.

Transmission Of Data To DOT

DOT inspectors inspect the vehicle on the road so that the drivers follow the ELD mandate and hours of service regulations. Thus MSCAP inspectors can stop any commercial truck on the road and look at the records of the driver for previous weeks. Thus the drivers are compelled to follow federal regulations as all details are available through ELD devices. The data is either transferred to the MCSAP inspectors from the truck through USB ports, encrypted emails, or WWS.

The Need For ELD Devices For Commercial Trucks

Apart from following the mandatory Federal guidelines, fleet operators can record the details through electronic record systems on various systems. Maintenance of details of commercial fleets is essential for fleet operators to provide the best solutions to the customers, and the device helps in many ways.

Getting DVIRs or complete vehicle reports through an electronic process.
Monitoring the safety aspect of commercial motor vehicle drivers by getting details from the gyroscope and accelerometer.
Condition of the truck and its maintenance.
Control over fuel consumption so that the truck runs on optimum fuel.
Enhancing and monitoring security features using geo-fencing technology.

The Benefits Of ELD Devices

There are multiple benefits of using an ELD device apart from following the FMCSA regulations. With the increase in business, it becomes a hectic job to keep paper logs for each activity of the truck and the driver on the road. Now fleet owners can monitor real-time data and instruct the drivers accordingly.

ELD devices ensure safe driving as every action of the drivers is recorded, monitored, and corrected.
Reduce fuel loss as the speed is monitored.
Logging details of accidents and mechanical failures and ensuring the divers get clean chit without liability when they are not at fault for the accident.
Reduced administrative and paperwork for fleet managers.
Maintaining efficient vehicle dispatch roster and system.
Staying ahead of competitors in this age of cut-throat competition.
Passing real-time truck locations to customers and providing feedback more efficiently.

Information Recorded By ELD Devices

It is time to know the type of data that ELD devices record. This small telematic device can record and transmit various data in real time without overlooking any aspects. They record RODS or Records of Duty Statuses in the log apart from the following:-

Real-time tracking through GPS.
Engine speed, miles covered, and fuel efficiency.
Hours of Service. HOS is of primary importance as per ELD mandate so that the drivers do not overwork and get fatigued, leading to road accidents.
Condition of the engine and its diagnosis.
Recording engine hours.
Recording rash driving, hard braking, and accidents.

Getting And Installing ELD Devices

According to Matrack, There are many affordable ELD devices available in the market. As a trucker or fleet operator, you need to select one of the best devices and install it to the truck for real-time monitoring of every working and movement. Look at the features, the ease of use, and the integration with your existing truck mechanism and install the most suitable one for complying with the Federal law.

Conclusion

Now follow the rules and regulations of FMCSA and install ELD devices in your commercial vehicles. It is for tracking your truck and its working and keeping the drivers and others on the road safe. Install the best ELD device without delay and make the journey safe avoiding fatal incidents and penalties.