What You Need to Know About ELD Compliance

What You Need to Know About ELD Compliance

When it comes to trucking and transportation brokerage in Minnesota, it can seem like there are always new laws, regulations and practices being implemented. While all of these changes are intended to improve safety, efficiency and performance for logistics companies and truckers, they can be challenging to understand at times. If you’re aware of the new electronic logging device (ELD) mandate, you might be wondering what you need to do to stay compliant. Understanding the specifics of this mandate and what it means for you can give you peace of mind when you’re on the road.

What is the ELD mandate?

Trucking has always had some risks and hazards, but new technology and updated regulations are improving safety on the road for truckers and drivers. To reduce the risk of accidents on the road due to fatigue or overworking, there are guidelines in place dictating the hours that drivers are allowed to work, and this information is tracked using logs. The ELD mandate was announced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in late 2015. The FMCSA set compliance deadlines for trucking fleets and logistics companies. The first deadline, set for December of 2017, mandated that all fleets switch from paper logs in trucks to electronic logging devices (ELDs). These devices track hours of service and ensure compliance with driving restrictions and labor mandates.

The second ELD mandate deadline is coming up in December 2019. This mandate requires that fleets using ELDs that were installed prior to the initial mandate switch to ELDs that meet additional specifications and requirements. These specifications are designed to maximize the safety of drivers and ensure compliance with driving restrictions and applicable labor laws. The FMCSA hopes that the mandate will improve road safety, not only for carriers, but also for other drivers, pedestrians and cyclists who share the road with truck drivers.

Switch your AOBRD to an ELD

Automatic on-board recording devices (AOBRDs) have been in use for decades. These devices are connected to truck engines and are designed to record driving data for the purpose of tracking and recording. While AOBRDs record much of the same data that ELDs do, the platform is not as thorough, descriptive or sophisticated as the ELD platform. Because of that, AOBRDs are being phased out by the ELD mandate. While some AOBRDs are grandfathered in and exempt from compliance under the new guidelines, carriers will be required to use ELDs after the December 2019 deadline and will be unable to replace existing devices with new AOBRDs going forward.

Get more info about transportation brokerage in Minnesota

If you have additional questions about the ELD mandate or about transportation brokerage in Minnesota, reach out to the team of experts at K-Way Express, Inc. Since 1949, our company has been dedicated to upholding the highest standards of quality and safety for our drivers and our clients. We keep up with ongoing maintenance and upgrades when necessary to ensure the full compliance, safety and performance of our fleet. Find out more about what we do and who we serve by calling our team today.