What is ELD? Understanding ELD Exemptions

In July of 2012, President Obama signed into law the MAP-21 or Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act. The intention of the act was to create safer interstate environments by reducing crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses. The requirements outlined in the bill include raising the bar to entry for the CMV industry, removing high-risk operators and holding motor carriers and drivers to the highest safety standards.

As part of this ELD mandate, regulations were adopted requiring electronic logging devices, or ELDs, be used in commercial motor vehicles that are involved in interstate commerce by drivers required to keep records of duty (RODS).

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What is an Electronic Logging Device?

An ELD is a congressionally mandated device that facilitates the ability to track, manage, and share records of duty status data for commercial drivers. Each ELD is uniquely paired with a vehicle engine through the engine control module, which helps in automatically recording driving time to keep track of hours of service for individuals. Each ELD is uniquely paired with a vehicle engine and automatically records driving time to help keep track of hours of service for individuals.

Who Needs an ELD?

Fleet managers and commercial interstate truckers should be aware that an approved ELD device needs to be installed in all their fleet vehicles, with drivers and staff trained in their use, in order to maintain compliance with federal law. For carriers using AOBRDs, ELD’s need to be installed by December 16, 2019, and should already be up and going for those who were using paper logs or logging software.

Who is Exempt from ELD rules?

Not everyone is required to install and use ELDs, however, there are many benefits to running an ELD system even if you are technically ELD exempt. The following persons are exempt from ELD installation and use under the ELD mandate exemptions:

• Drivers who use paper logs 8 days or fewer during any 30-day period
• Driveaway-towaway drivers in which the vehicle being driven is the commodity, or the vehicle being transported is a motorhome or recreational vehicle trailer
• Drivers of vehicles manufactured before model year 2000
• Short haul drivers who operate within a 150-air mile radius from their reporting location and adhere to specific operational limits regarding hours of service
• Drivers of farm vehicles used in agricultural operations under specific conditions

Using an ELD

Using an electronic logging device is a fairly straightforward process and one that is easy to learn. Below are some of the features your drivers will need to become familiar with in order to make the most out of the ELD system.

Accounts and Logging In

Each driver will have one driver account per carrier and will use an ID number and password to log in. If the driver does not log in to the ELD system, they will be issued a warning and the ELD will record accumulated driving time in accordance with ELD defaults. This unidentified driving time will be added to the driver’s record of duty status and will be shown as their own unless they provide an annotation.

Records of Duty Status for commercial motor vehicle drivers

ELD records in real time and that information can be divided by duty status entered or automatically started, helping to accurately track driver hours. ELD has a variety of duty status categories that can be applied appropriately per the activity being carried out. ELDs record data every hour during which a vehicle is in motion. There are a variety of settings in the ELD system to account for variances in duties, including yard moves, inclement weather, and oil field movement, as well as personal conveyance.

Privacy

To protect driver privacy, the GPS switches from a 1-mile accuracy radius during on-duty periods to a 10-mile accuracy radius for off-duty periods.

Other Benefits of ELD

While the installation, training, and implementation of ELDs in all your commercial motor vehicle drivers might seem like a hassle, there are plenty of great advantages to using these devices. From geofencing to insurance discounts, real-time data is an easy way to maximize efficiency.

Keep an Eye on Your Fleet

ELDs put the power of GPS and geofencing in your hands. With this technology, your business can take advantage of several efficiencies like advanced route geofencing and instant alerts for driver deviations. This optimization ensures that your employees are driving smarter routes in fewer miles and even reports unnecessary idling. The data doesn't lie, and with ELD provided information, you can objectively hold your drivers to high productivity standards.

ELD Eliminates Unknowns

Before real-time data was available, your customer service game could never be 100% on point. Answering questions about speed and location of delivery were more art than science, and customers were often left disappointed. With real-time tracking, you can let your customers know exactly what's going on with their delivery.

Commercial Motor Vehicle Maintenance

ELDs make it easy to track drive time and maintenance information into a single system, so you can efficiently keep up with fleet maintenance.

While the installation and use of the ELD system may or may not be required for your business, it's clear this technology is here to stay. Taking advantage of the benefits the ELD offers will allow you optimize efficiency and maximize the productivity and potential of your fleet.

If you have questions or want to know more about ELD requirements, benefits or installation, please reach out to the BrickHouse Security team for more information.

FAQs on ELD (Exemptions and Compliance)

1. What is the ELD mandate?

The ELD mandate refers to federal regulations requiring most commercial motor vehicle drivers to use electronic logging devices (ELDs) to maintain accurate records of duty status (RODS). This rule applies to drivers involved in interstate commerce, helping ensure compliance with hours of service (HOS) rules.

2. What is an ELD?

An electronic logging device (ELD) is a system that connects to the engine control module of a commercial motor vehicle to automatically record driving time and track compliance with HOS regulations. It replaces manual paper logs and reduces administrative errors.

3. Who is exempt from the ELD rule?

Certain drivers and commercial vehicles are exempt from the ELD mandate based on specific criteria, such as:

• Short-haul drivers operating within a 150 air-mile radius of their work reporting location and adhering to HOS limits.
• Driveaway-towaway operations where the vehicle driven is the commodity or being transported as a recreational vehicle trailer.
• Vehicles with engines manufactured before the year 2000, regardless of model year.
• Drivers using paper logs for eight or fewer days in any 30-day period.
• Drivers of farm vehicles during agricultural vehicle operations.

4. How do ELDs improve HOS compliance?

ELDs simplify compliance with HOS rules by automating the recording of driver hours and duty status. They also track duty status RODS in real time and categorize activities such as driving, off-duty, or yard moves. This ensures accurate reporting, reduces errors, and helps drivers and motor carriers stay compliant with FMCSA regulations.

5. What are the benefits of using an ELD solution?

Adopting an ELD solution provides numerous advantages:

• Improved compliance: Automates RODS requirements, reducing violations.
• Fleet management efficiency: Geofencing and route optimization for commercial motor vehicle carriers.
• Maintenance tracking: Logs service intervals based on actual vehicle use.
• Enhanced safety: Ensures drivers adhere to HOS compliance and avoid fatigue.
• Insurance savings: Real-time data supports safe driving discounts.

6. Are there exemptions for recreational vehicles and small carriers?

Yes, certain recreational vehicle trailers and small carriers may qualify as exempt. However, all exemptions depend on whether the vehicle qualifies under specific FMCSA rules or ELD mandate exemptions, such as limited operation or HOS applicability.

7. How does the short-haul exemption work?

The short-haul exemption applies to commercial motor vehicle drivers who:

• Operate within a 150 air-mile radius of their work reporting location.
• Do not exceed HOS limits for maximum driving and work hours.
• Return to their reporting location daily.

Drivers meeting these conditions can maintain driver's records using timecards instead of ELDs.

8. What is the role of ELDs in tracking vehicle maintenance?

ELDs help monitor commercial vehicles by integrating engine control module data with maintenance records. Fleet managers can track usage patterns, optimize service schedules, and identify issues early, ensuring vehicle safety and minimizing downtime.

9. How do ELDs handle privacy concerns?

To protect driver privacy, ELDs adjust GPS accuracy based on duty status:

• During on-duty periods, location is recorded with 1-mile accuracy.
• During off-duty periods, location is reduced to a 10-mile radius, safeguarding personal privacy.

10. Can agricultural and farm vehicles be exempt?

Yes, drivers of farm vehicles operating within defined interstate commerce boundaries for agricultural purposes are often exempt from ELD requirements, provided they meet specific criteria under the ELD rule.

11. How does the ELD mandate apply to older engines?

The ELD rule exempts vehicles with engines manufactured before the year 2000. However, this exemption is based on the engine model year, not the vehicle model year, so always verify the vehicle identification number (VIN) for accuracy.

12. What is the eight-day exemption for paper logs?

Drivers who use paper logs for eight or fewer days in any 30-day period are exempt from installing and using an ELD. This temporary exemption helps accommodate infrequent or limited-duration operations.

13. How do ELDs benefit fleet managers and carriers?

Fleet managers and motor carriers benefit from ELDs through:

• HOS compliance automation.
• Real-time fleet tracking and geofencing for optimized routes.
• Improved accountability for commercial motor vehicle carriers.
• Integration of driver hours and vehicle performance data into a single system.

14. What should I consider when choosing an ELD solution?

When selecting an ELD, look for:

• Compatibility with your fleet’s engine model years.
• Compliance with FMCSA regulations.
• Features that simplify RODS requirements and enhance reporting for truck drivers and owner operators.

15. How can I learn more about ELD requirements and exemptions?

For assistance with ELD solutions, compliance, or understanding the ELD rule applies to your operations, contact the BrickHouse Security team. We’re here to support the trucking industry with cutting-edge tools and expert guidance.