{"id":33190,"date":"2021-05-05T10:34:20","date_gmt":"2021-05-05T14:34:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gofleet.com\/?p=33190"},"modified":"2024-11-19T03:16:31","modified_gmt":"2024-11-19T08:16:31","slug":"what-you-need-to-know-electronic-logging-device","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gofleet.com\/what-you-need-to-know-electronic-logging-device\/","title":{"rendered":"What You Need to Know Before Purchasing an Electronic Logging Device"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fleet management may look like an easy process at first glance. However, individuals who are working in this industry can testify that it is much more complex than it may seem. Fleet management systems are composed of information about all the aspects of an entire fleet within one specialized database system. The same goes for documents for meeting with fleet compliance. Fortunately, electronic logging solutions can ease this complexity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Moreover, purchasing an Electronic Logging Device or ELD solution<\/a> is an imperative decision. Not only that it will help your fleet be FMCSA compliant but it also offers different features to make your operations easier. On top of that, it will allow business to maximize profits.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, there are so many ELD providers<\/a> that you can find right now, making it difficult to choose the right one. That said, it is important for you to first understand the aspects that an excellent ELD provider must possess.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The Things You Need to Know Before Purchasing an ELD Solution<\/b><\/h2>\n

An Electronic Logging Device is a digital solution that allows commercial motor carriers and professional truck drivers to track the HOS or Hours of Service compliance. It is attached into the onboard diagnostics (OBD) port of the vehicle. This way, the device can record the vehicle\u2019s data. That includes the speed, location, number of miles driven, and more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are basically two ELD types. The first one is a fixed unit or one that stays in the fleet. Meanwhile, the second one is called BYODs \u2013 short for Bring Your Own device.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The latter can be a simple app installed in the driver\u2019s phone. Moreover, a fixed ELD should be installed by a professional as it is hard wired.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Moreover, the main benefit of a fixed ELD is that the user is less likely to lose or damage it. Additionally, hard wired systems provides better control over the users\u2019 data. They are also more straightforward in terms of maintenance since they are homogenous.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On the other hand, a BYOD ELD is a system that lets user bring their own device and install the ELD system app there. It works by connected the device, a smartphone, for instance, to the Electronic Control Module or ECM via a dongle through the cab\u2019s onboard diagnostic port. The dongle will be responsible for connecting and transmitting data to the smartphone using Bluetooth. There are also BYOD ELDs that rely on the phone\u2019s data plan in order to work.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Furthermore, regardless of the ELD type you will choose, one thing that you need to ensure is its certification on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or FMCSA\u2019s list of ELDs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The ELD Mandate<\/b><\/h2>\n

ELDs work by recording data about a vehicle\u2019s operation and its driver\u2019s activity. The recorded information about the driver is mostly about the hours of service. HOS consist of a permanent record of driving hours, rest time, and on-duty hours within the entire trip. Notably, on-duty hours is the time the driver is working but not driving.<\/span><\/p>\n

Recording this data is important because commercial drivers have a maximum time restriction in the number of hours that they can drive between rest periods.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In 1937, the federal law mandated commercial drivers to keep their service logbooks. Back then, they mainly used logbooks and information were manually written. This method was then replaced by the ELD mandate. This regulation specifies that commercial drivers need to use electronic logging devices.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Moreover, the usage of ELDs for trucks in Canada is set to become a requirement for professional drivers by the 12th<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>of June 2021. Doing this will improve the driver\u2019s road safety as well as save the trucking companies\u2019 time and resources.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The main reason why ELDs are required to be fitted to all commercial trucks in Canada is to ensure that both the drivers and the transportation companies are abiding by the Federal laws. This new law is an assurance that logging devices are meeting the uniform technical standards for the information below:<\/span><\/p>\n