Notes on the New E-Log Mandate

As of December 2017, drivers who were once required to keep paper logs are now required to use an electronic logging device (ELD). The law was passed two years ago, but given a two-year lead time to come into effect to give trucking companies and owner-operators time to prepare for the change. Though not everyone is thrilled with the change, the industry as a whole is predicted to save $1 billion a year, basically just in time spent doing paperwork, and also projected to save at least 26 lives by preventing overwork or driver harassment.

As a provider of logistic services in Minnesota, K-Way Express, Inc. has done a lot of thinking about the E-log mandate. In this blog, we’ll explain who has to use ELDs and who is exempt, and also take a peek at some of the best ELDs currently on the market.

What exactly does the ELD mandate require?

The ELD mandate requires that any driver in a vehicle made after the year 2000 must have their truck outfitted with an electronic logging device that records location info, time, date, engine hours and miles, and saves this information to a driver’s profile using their ID info. The ELD must be able to transfer data at inspection sites, either by USB, Bluetooth or via the web somehow. Drivers are no longer required to keep paper logs, but must continue to keep a up to eight supporting documents for their time on duty, and must submit them every 13 days. Itineraries, expense receipts, mobile communication records using fleet systems, payroll records and other such documents can be used as support documentation.

Exceptions to the rule

By design, there are very few exceptions to the new law. This mandate is designed to save money, modernize the recordkeeping side of American truck-based shipping and protect drivers from unreasonable or dangerous demands. All of these goals are good, and will help keep American shipping healthy for future generations. The few exceptions to the ELD mandate are as follows: drivers in tow trucks are not required to have ELDs; nor are drivers who work 8 days or fewer per 30 business days; and finally, trucks made before the year 2000 do not have to be equipped with an ELD.

What type of ELD system should I use?

ELDs come from numerous reputable companies, including AT&T Fleet Complete, ATS Fleet Management, Garmin, FleetUP, Magellan and more. Many of these services allow you to bring and sync your own device, making it simple to transition drivers to the new system. We highly suggest you look for a system that offers such a “bring your own device” (BYOD) solution.

Nearly all ELDs are kept up by a communication or logistics company, and so there is usually a reasonable monthly fee for upkeep of service. There are also numerous logistic services companies that can assist with the software and hardware setup requirements for getting your fleet fully ELD-mandate compliant.

Overall, ELDs, because of advances in technology, are easy and pain-free to adopt and implement within your fleet, and will give you and your drivers a much more precise understanding of the work you do and the associated time and labor costs.

Logistic services in Minnesota for your company

K-Way Express, Inc. has been offering competitive logistic services in Minnesota for well over 60 years. We combine competitive prices and unbeatable service. For a quote, give us a call today!