The ELD Mandate Explained: What Motor Carriers Need to Know
Electronic logging devices replaced paper logs for most drivers. Here is who is covered, who is exempt, and what your ELD program must handle.
What the ELD mandate does
An ELD connects to the engine and automatically records driving time, making hours-of-service records harder to falsify. Most drivers who are required to keep records of duty status must use a registered ELD.
Who is exempt
- Short-haul drivers who qualify for the timecard exception and do not keep traditional logs
- Driveaway-towaway operations where the vehicle is the commodity
- Older engines — vehicles with an engine older than a certain model year
- Drivers who keep records of duty status for 8 or fewer days in any 30-day period
What your ELD program must handle
- Use a device listed on the FMCSA registered-ELD list
- Give drivers an instruction packet and a supply of blank paper logs for malfunctions
- Have a malfunction procedure — drivers reconstruct logs and report issues, and the carrier repairs or replaces the device promptly
- Be able to transfer the record to an officer at roadside
Frequently asked questions
Who is exempt from the ELD mandate?
Common exemptions include qualifying short-haul drivers, driveaway-towaway operations, vehicles with older engines, and drivers who keep records of duty status for 8 or fewer days in any 30-day period.
What happens if my ELD malfunctions?
The driver notes the malfunction, reconstructs recent duty status on paper, and continues on paper logs while the carrier gets the device repaired or replaced promptly.
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