ELD Mandate: The Upside

ELD Mandate

Being actively informed of the regulations levied by the US Federal Government Regulations in the fleet management process is essential. So, let’s start with understanding the ELD mandate more deeply. 

ELD Mandate is a U.S. Federal Government Regulation that specifies the mandatory use of ELDs or Electronic Logging Devices for all the operators of commercial motor vehicles covered by the law. The devices are specifically designed to record the driver’s activity and operations of the vehicle. Be it movement, speed fluctuations, stoppages and distance covered, the ELD keeps track of all the data. 

The primary motive of monitoring the fleet activity is to ensure drivers’ safety and keep in check their working hours. Since commercial truckers are allowed to drive a specific number of hours, that needs to be kept in mind. Hour of Service or HOS is detailed data of total driving hours, rest time and on-duty hours throughout a trip. 

The Setbacks of ELD Mandate

Many driver groups raised their dissatisfaction regarding drivers’ privacy. No one, in general, would like to be monitored during their work hours. As long as a worker is monitored, they feel being snatched from their privacy. Also, it sometimes falls under unethical intrusiveness and raises the question of trust. 

Of course, when we keep a regular check on someone’s work, it portrays a lack of trust. It demotivates the workers and triggers their unsettling insecurities. 

The repulsion of accepting the ELD mandate amongst the drivers got more potent by the day. To ensure that the drivers are not dissatisfied with the regulations, the mandate included restrictions on the activities of the drivers. The mandate then focused on monitoring the activities happening during their duty hours.

ELD Mandate Compliance: Applies To

  • Drivers who drive commercial motor vehicles across the states must keep a record of duty status. 
  • Vehicles weighing more than 10K Pounds. 
  • Vehicles with placarded hazmat loads.
  • Vehicles that carry more than 8 or 15 passengers, depending on the vehicle clas

ELD Mandate Exemptions

  • Drivers operating within a 100-air-mile radius may carry on using timecards
  • Drivers who possess Non-CDL freight and operate within a 150-air-mile radius
  • Vehicles that are manufactured before the model year 2000
  • “Drive-away, tow-away” operating drivers

The ELD mandate updates change with time and need to be checked every few days before considering their application. The official FMCSA website holds every record of the updates and can help stay updated.

What Are The Benefits Of an ELD Mandate?

The regulations suggest drivers and fleet use ELD devices. The drivers who have transformed technically and accepted the use of electronic logging devices record a large set of benefits. 

  • The drivers and fleet felt that the time spent on paperwork got reduced. The FMCSA comes up with an analysis that ELDs saves $2.44 billion in administrative work along with $1.88 billion of driver’s time. 
  • The roadside inspection time got reduced so much that the drivers completed their route before time. 
  • With electronic data in the hands of the fleet managers, it became more accessible for them to check on drivers’ health and restrict them from working extra. 

Adopting technical software seems challenging at first, perhaps, give uncountable solutions at the end. ELD Mandate turned out to be a positive influence for fleet management companies and drivers. It curtails the operational cost, saves fuel and gives insights into driver’s activities. 

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