When we were designing the ELD system from TruckingOffice, I spent some time with our electronic log device development team this week. “Keep it simple,” we say. You want the ELD made simple – so do we.
TruckingOffice’s ELD system was built with truckers in mind.
What is the ELD Mandate
The ELD mandate is a congressionally-mandated law that requires truck drivers to use an electronic logging device (ELD). This device monitors their hours of service. The ELD standards apply to most motor carriers and drivers who are required to maintain records of duty status (RODS). The way an ELD works is by syncing with and monitoring the vehicle engine to automatically record a driver’s driving time and ensure that all drivers remain compliant with federal hours of service (HOS) rules.
The purpose of the ELD mandate is to create a safer work environment for drivers in the trucking industry. It was also created to make it easier and more convenient for drivers to accurately record, manage and share RODS data. That means drivers spend less time doing tedious paperwork and more time on the road, doing what they do best. By requiring drivers to document their compliance with HOS rules, the ELD mandate is also intended to protect drivers from being harassed or pressured into working longer hours. That reduces their risk of being involved in a fatigue-related accident.
The Hours of Service Law & ELD
The hours of service law has been in effect since 1938, when the government first started regulating the trucking industry, but until now, the only way to ensure drivers were HOS compliant was to review their paper logs, which weren’t always accurate. By requiring trucks to install electronic logging devices, the HOS law can be enforced across the board. Despite the intended benefits of ELD standards, we know that most truckers aren’t fond of the ELD mandate. This is why we have worked so hard to create an ELD system that is easy to use and as driver-friendly as possible.
Simple to Install
I’ve seen some crazy ideas out there. Cables running around your cab to a black box? Who wants that? It’s the 21st Century! Bluetooth is the way to go!
TruckingOffice’s ELD is simple and clean. No extra cables. Plug in the vehicle interface device (VID) and check to see that the little light is on. You’re done with the installation. Just download the app from Google Play for Android or Apple Store for iPhones. You’ll need to set up your account on a browser, but it won’t take long and you’ll be able to get on the road.
Simple to Use
The last thing any trucker wants is a complicated system that requires a lot of attention. Some truckers are still using carbon paper and manage to put it in backwards – not saying we don’t all make silly mistakes, but I think we need the ELD to be as simple as possible. Plug it in, load the app, and forget about it.
We were asked about how a trucker can modify the log. Yes, it can be modified by a trucker to correct the record.
If you’re working in the office, you’ll find our web-based ELD report page simple and complete. Even if you’ve got more than one truck, we’ve got a simple solution to getting your trucks up to regulations without investing thousands of dollars.
Because simple includes a price we can all afford.
Owner-Operators and the Big ELD?
There are ELD programs out there for the big trucking and logistics companies.
If you’re a trucker with your own trucking authority, you don’t need that kind of program. And you don’t want that kind of price tag. TruckingOffice ELD is ready for the single truck owner-operator, but it’s also got the capacity to grow. So if you’re getting started now, but you have big ambitions, then TruckingOffice ELD (and our integrated TruckingOffice trucking software) is where you need to start your trucking business.
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