What an ELD does
An ELD synchronizes with the vehicle's engine to record when the truck is moving, along with date, time, location and engine hours. The driver logs other duty statuses, such as on duty not driving, off duty and sleeper berth. The record can be shown to enforcement officers at roadside and transferred electronically.
Who must use one
49 CFR 395.8 requires a motor carrier that must keep records of duty status to install and require each driver to use an ELD, with limited exceptions. The rule allows paper logs, for example, for a driver who needs a record of duty status on not more than 8 days in any 30-day period, and there are other exceptions in the regulations, such as for certain older vehicles. Technical specifications for ELDs are in Subpart B of Part 395.
ELDs and repair shops
ELDs matter to shops in three ways:
- Malfunctions: a failed ELD or wiring issue can become a repair job, and drivers have specific steps to follow when a device malfunctions.
- Diagnostic port conflicts: ELDs often connect to the vehicle diagnostic connector, which technicians also use. Disconnecting and reconnecting must be done carefully.
- Time on the clock: while a driver waits on duty at a shop, the ELD record counts that time toward hours of service limits. See hours of service.
ELD versus telematics
Many ELDs are part of telematics systems that also report fault codes, location and fuel use. Fleets increasingly share fault code alerts with their repair vendors to schedule work before a breakdown.
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