What Is An ELD?

As technology advances, so does the trucking industry. An “ELD” is an Electronic Logging Device, and in 2019, all non-exempt trucks were required by the FMCSA to have an ELD. Prior to this mandate, truck drivers would keep all their activity logged in a paper log book. ELDs are now used by drivers to automatically record driving activity such as miles driven, location, and engine information. What information does an ELD collect? It collects date, time, location, mileage, engine hours, user data, vehicle type, and motor. So, what are the benefits of ELDs? ELDs help reduce driver fatigue. They help improve driver safety by enforcing the “Hours of Service” (HoS) regulations – which is no more than 11 hours a day on the road. ELDs also make it easier to log a driver’s record, versus having to write it all down. Another benefit of ELDs is to promote proactive vehicle maintenance. Since they track fuel usage and engine faults, they inform drivers of any necessary upkeep with their truck. Tracking this data helps decrease fuel costs and in turn, saves time and money. ELD manufactures report that there was an increase of 15 minutes of drive time per day and an increase in fuel efficiency during truck stops or speeding events. ELDs are preventive measures to ensure the safety of truck drivers from driver fatigue and accidents. The ELD mandate was adapted to protect the health and safety of truckers and the public and overall, ELDs provide many benefits both on the road and financially.