As of April 1, 2018, under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) the ELD Mandate will enforce commercial drivers who are required to log Hours of Service (HOS) records of duty status (RODS) to use an electronic logging device or ELD. Those who haven’t implemented an ELD yet are already out of compliance. Employing this technology will ensure commercial drivers comply with federal Hours of Service rules, which will prevent crashes and save lives.
What are the Benefits?
An electronic logging device or ELD syncs to the vehicle’s engine and automatically logs driving times. This replaces the previous paper logging process, where mistakes and exceptions were easily made. Many ELD systems can also accommodate route and map solutions, helping drivers maneuver around construction and bypass areas of high-traffic. An ELD keeps the dispatcher up-to-date on a driver’s status allowing them to better plan for loads in light of HOS compliance needs. The FMCSA understands that this process can be a financial burden on fleets, and addresses cost concerns by allowing drivers to use a smartphone, tablet, or other wireless device as long as it meets all of the ELD rule’s technical specifications.
Exceptions
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation FMCSA, there are some limited exceptions to the ELD rule and are listed as follows:
• Drivers who operate under the short-haul exceptions may continue using timecards; they are not required to keep RODS and will not be required to use ELDs.
• Drivers who use paper RODS for not more than 8 days out of every 30-day period.
• Drivers who conduct drive-away-tow-away operations, in which the vehicle being driven is the commodity being delivered.
• Drivers of vehicles manufactured before 2000.
How DISA Can help
Installing an ELD is only the first step of the ELD mandate once you’re set up it’s important to properly log and maintain your Hours of Service in case of an audit. DISA Global Solutions specializes in a variety of transportation compliance solutions, such as Hours of Service ELD log auditing and management, DOT drug & alcohol testing, DOT background check, licensing and permitting, fuel tax reporting, etc. Maintaining transportation compliance will keep your drivers safe on the road, as well as those driving around them.
For more than 30 years, DISA has been a provider of workplace safety and compliance services. DISA helps companies make more informed staffing decisions by offering a broad array of industry-leading methodologies to make employee screening faster and more accurate. For more information about DISA call 1-800-752-6432 or email sales@disa.com.
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About DISA Global Solutions
Founded in 1986, DISA is the industry-leading provider of employee screening and compliance services. Headquartered in Houston, with more than 35 offices throughout the U.S. and Canada, DISA’s comprehensive scope of services includes drug and alcohol testing, background check, occupational health, and transportation compliance. DISA assists employers in making informed staffing decisions while building a culture of safety in their workplace.