The new ELD or Mandate Logging Device has made some confusion in the industry of vocational truck and this mandate will be valid in December this year. Nobody knows whether all of the fleet drivers must obey the new ELD. There are a lot of questions about costs, grandfathered devices, compliance requirements, and potential benefits. Why is this mandate really essential to be applied to fleet driver regulation?

THE BASIC OF ELD MANDATE

One of the basic reasons is because the government wants to reduce the level of crashes for all of the fleet drivers in the country. In this case, the government would like to reduce accident rates- As it is reported that all of the fleet drivers who use ELOGS have a chance to reduce crashes and they also will reduce the chance of crashes if it is compared to the drivers who did have one.

There are actually many more benefits when using ELDs. Some of the other benefits are that the driver can save time because they do not need paperwork anymore, reduce the hassle of keeping a paper log, and always get up to date status. When using this ELD, the drivers only need a smartphone or tablets that support ELDs system and the vehicle’s engine will also be connected to show the status.

This also has a connection to DOT compliance where the drivers must also in safety sensitive positions and all of the drivers are not allowed to consume drugs and alcohol. In this case, all of the drivers are required to follow alcohol and drug testing program so they are granted to drive on highways safely.

This DOT compliance is not only required for fleet drives but airline pilots and cruise captains are also need it. Any drivers who have a responsibility to bring a lot of passengers are required to follow drug and alcohol testing before they drive their vehicles- All of the drivers must be free from alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, and other dangerous substances so they can get permission to drive their vehicles.

Meanwhile, the system of ELOGS will be important to advise the fleet drivers to reduce fatigue while driving. So, the drivers are able to take a rest when they are too tired in driving. The HOS or an hour of service is also a big consideration to make sure that the drivers are in a good condition when they are driving their vehicles in a long time. Thus, the DOT compliance and ELOGS systems are two important things to consider to make sure that the drivers are driving safely and reduce crashed on highways-

Therefore, by attaching an ELD on the vehicle, the agency is able to track the HOS compliance of the drivers. When the drivers are too tired, the device can be a reminder to let the drivers take a rest for a moment before continuing the journey. This ELD will be recording the engine hours, location, time, date, vehicle miles, and much more.

THE IMPACTED FLEET DRIVERS

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration ensures that there will be 3-4 million fleet drivers who will get involved to this ELD mandate. But, there are some fleets that may not require this regulation. Some of the truck drivers on class 1 and 2 may not be included. But, if they carry a dangerous material, then they may still follow this rule. Any drivers must use ELD mandate starting from the last month in 2017 but if they already have AORBRD, then they can still use it until the end of 2019. All of the drivers who want to use ELD, then they are also required to register to FMCSA and must be certified.

What does the ELD Mandate meant to Fleet drivers? Suppose you have some drivers but they do not need to keep RODS, then they may not be required to has ELD mandate. But, if the drivers must have RODS, then you must register the drivers to use ELD mandate. Meanwhile, all of the drivers will use AOBRD, ELD, Paper Logs, and Device with logging software. However, there are some of the drivers that may not be required to get ELDs despite they must have RODS or ABORDS. Some of the drivers are:

• All drivers who want to use RODS for only one week.
• All drivers who drive under the short haul exception may go on using their time cards. If they do not need RODS, then they may not need ELDS.
• All drivers who drive cars that are produced before the 2000MY
• All Drivers that perform drive-away to away operation.

Relating to the vehicles that are produced before the 2000 MY, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration mentioned that these kinds of vehicles have engines that do not work well with ELDs. Theoretically, these old trucks may have a premium price when they resell them in the market because these trucks can avoid the cost of ELDs.

Besides, there are a lot of drivers who do not understand the ELD and say that this ELD will stop the truck when it has exceeded limits. Actually, this ELD does not work that way and ELD Mandate has no control over the vehicle and the drivers can still drive the vehicles despite the limit is exceeded. This ELD only works by recording some violations done by drivers. This ELD will function to give violation details and report it. In addition, some of the rental vehicles may not be required to have ELD.

In summary, ELD may not be applied in all of the countries in the world, but the US seems to get this idea because there are a lot of crashes that occur every year. This crash does not only kill the drivers but it also kills other drivers and passengers. Therefore, ELD Mandate can be a good way to reduce accidents. Besides, all of the drivers must also be free from drug and alcohol by following DOT Compliance to get permission.