The ELD mandate is an attempt by the FMCSA to reduce highway accidents involving commercial motor vehicles. Most CMVs must install an FMCSA-compliant electronic logging device. The mandate applies to large and small fleets, as well as owner-operator vehicles.
The FMCSA works in conjunction with the US Department of Transportation (DOT). The goal of these agencies is to reduce driver fatigue, which is the primary cause of accidents. Their stricter Hours of Service (HOS) regulations will limit the number of hours a driver can drive in a day.
Also, ELDs replace paper logs, making it difficult for drivers or fleet managers to falsify HOS. In this way, highway safety improves. The devices record duty status automatically and are tamper-resistant.
What Changes Should Truckers Expect in 2021?
The deadline for ELD implementation was December 18, 2017. Since then, there have been updates and changes. So, is there anything new you need to know about the ELD mandate for 2021?
The FMCSA’s goal is to expand and update strategies that improve highway safety for motor carriers. Here are a few of their objectives for the coming years:
- In the “Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2021-2023,” one goal is to improve data collection and analysis techniques. They will also expand initiatives that promote safety and risk management for the trucking industry. Another new initiative is the North American Fatigue Management Program (NAFMP). It includes components to reduce driver fatigue and improve driver health and safety.
- FMCSA will work with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The goal is to determine NAFMP’s effectiveness.
- The FMCSA also plans to conduct the Large Truck Crash Causal Factors Study (LTCCFS) between 2021 and 2023. The study will provide information on the role of technologies and driving behaviors in preventing crashes.
These objectives are not ELD specific; however, the results of the initiatives may lead to some changes that will affect the ELD mandate in the future.
New FMCSA Driver Feedback Panel Announced for 2021
On January 15, 2021, the US DOT and FMCSA announced that they have named 25 CMV drivers to serve as panel members for the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee (MCSAC). The new panel members are drivers selected from all sectors of the trucking industry.
In the recent press release, FMCSA Deputy Administrator Wiley Deck commented:
“FMCSA believes in listening to our drivers and hearing their concerns directly. We know that many of the solutions to the challenges we face don’t come from Washington—they come from the hard-working men and women who are behind the wheel all over our nation. This new subcommittee to MCSAC will further help us hear from America’s commercial drivers.”
The new panel will provide feedback to the FMCSA on issues drivers face daily. Those issues include HOS regulations, safety, training, parking, and so on. Future safety initiatives will incorporate this feedback.
With these new initiatives rolling out, an FMCSA-compliant ELD will play a vital role in providing the HOS data needed by the committee. So, it’s important to know you have the best device available today.
How the Right ELD Can Help You Easily Adapt to the New Mandate?
Ever since the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) implemented the new ELD mandate, fleet operators have had to prepare their vehicles for compliance by seeking high-quality ELD systems for installation.
The ELD mandate states that all commercial truck drivers must install ELD systems within their truck’s dashboard to comply with the HOS requirements for road safety. Even though the mandate may at first seem daunting, the fact is that ELD systems are much easier than documenting logs by hand, so finding the right ELD to comply with the mandate should be every trucker’s top priority.
TruckingOffice’s ELD system that integrates with your truck’s TMS software is a premium, easy-to-use system that satisfies all of FMCSA’s requirements, such as:
- Providing accurate miles driven
- Calculating costs of miles
- Tracking HOS
- Signaling when a driver is on/off duty
Understandably, some drivers may at first be reluctant to install ELDs in their trucks, but the previous laws have changed in favor of road safety. Now, it is only a matter of compliance, unless you are one of the few truckers exempted from the mandate due to extenuating circumstances. By complying, truckers will see that their jobs are made easier and more efficient with the help of ELDs.
TruckingOffice Can Provide the ELD Solution You Need
Are you looking for your first ELD or want to upgrade? If so, you’ll want an affordable, easy-to-use, reliable product. With our FMCSA-certified ELD, you’ll get those features and more. You’ll also appreciate the flexibility of using your own smartphone or tablet.
Our ELD solution is suitable for any operation, whether owner-operator or fleet builder. So, join the thousands of other truckers who are glad they found TruckingOffice. Order your ELD system today. We offer monthly or annual plans to suit your budget. You’ll discover how much easier ELD trucking can be.
Being out here for a long time I see the change in the trucking industry. But really don’t see where it is helping the driver.
1- 10 hrs in the bunk or no driving with in 24 hrs.
Where is this really helping.? How many people actually put in only a 40 hr wk? None.
A driver sets in a small area, or goes into a place where they have to spend money, which alot cant really afford to do. A truck doesn’t have a place to put a TV, a refrigerator, or a sink to wash dishes. The things a person does at home are not the same as in a truck. And people seem to forget that.
As a.driver we are required to keep an eye on the freight that we carry. Once we have pickup the freight we are responsible for it.
I realize that everybody thinks they know what it is that helps.the American driver, so I really hope that this so called.panel really understands this.
We still set, which in turns takes time off our clocks.to make a delivery, and the company’s always want it there yesterday. I do not see where dot is doing a good job at pushing the laws either. I see trucks with lights out, where it use to be fix or fine, but today nobody pushes that law.
I realize that cars and trucks have different rules, but not rules should be any different then then verses us.
We are allowed to drive 10 hrs in a 14 hr day. The shelfs are becoming bare in stores because we are restricted to do are jobs. What I see with the new generation is not improvements, but more confusion to a long time problem.
So.please.tell me where all this is really helping in the long run?
Thanks for clearly mentioning upcoming changes in ELD mandate. Keep it up!!!
So I’m hearing our current pre 2000 motors will require some type of eld standards by year end but I’m not finding any readings of this. Can you elaborate?
Thanks mike
i.s.o. FMCSA guideline that states if a driver is stopped on PC for more than 5 minutes that his duty status will be automatically changed back to “on duty driving”.
My company is claiming 2021 DOT law requires a mobile device for an ELD and is banning window/dash mounted devices. I am not finding this law anywhere. They are also not supplying the mobile device and forcing drivers to use personal devices which is a violation of privacy laws. Is there anything to back their claim? Or just another lie to push more leashes on drivers?
The ELD is by far the worse thing to ever happen to trucking. All you do is race the clock and then sit. Over crowds parking areas cause they can’t go no farther. You can’t stop get a nice meal. Got to keep moving. You get hung up in construction and loose all your time and money. So regulated now can’t make any money and regulations are killing trucking industry. Less stress and same amount of money to get a regular job and you don’t have to deal with the DOTs. But they can work 18 hrs a day no problem no restrictions. Over 90% of accidents involving a truck and a car it the car at fault. But we get more regulations. It all abt revenue. I am so sick of hearing everything in the name of safety. That is there umbrella for everything they want to pass
Irs auditor in an audit stated: An ELD can be on a smartphone or other wireless device if the device meets the ELD rule’s technical specifications.” The rule does not specify that a Tablet is required; thus, there is not a solid business purpose for the Tablet.