The ELD mandate compliance deadline is almost here. In the next few weeks, the ELD rule will become mandatory. And truckers without compliant electronic logging devices will be cited and fined.

The upcoming ELD mandate has been a cause of concern for some fleets and truck drivers. Especially for owner-operators and smaller fleets. They are mainly worried about the cost of compliance. But there are also some who anticipate productivity loss, inefficient management, and other issues.

But electronic logging devices are unlikely to cause any problems for most fleets. It is because ELD implementation doesn’t change the hours-of-service rules.

If a driver has been following HOS regulations, there should be no surprises. In fact, an electronic logging device will make drivers more productive and efficient.

5 ways ELD implementation improves productivity and efficiency

1. Simplify hours-of-service tracking

The biggest reason is that ELDs simplify hours-of-service tracking for everyone. More importantly, electronic logging devices free drivers from manually recording their hours of service and filling out paper logs.

The FMCSA estimates that a driver, on average, spends nearly 20 hours per year filling out paper logs manually. So, with ELD implementation, you instantly get that time back.

2. Reduce or eliminate paperwork

The elimination of paperwork will also save a lot of money. According to an FMCSA estimate, ELD implementation will save the trucking industry one billion dollars per year by reducing paperwork.

3. Ace roadside DOT inspections

Expect quicker roadside inspections and fewer violations with ELDs. Because everything is recorded automatically and presented in an electronic format, safety inspectors will have a much easier time understanding and inspecting the logs. It’s also expected that using electronic logging devices will drastically reduce the different types of violations.

For instance, Form & Manner violations, outdated logs violations, and false logs violations will be pretty much eliminated. That’s good news for everyone: drivers, carriers, and safety inspectors.

4. Improve accuracy

Electronic logging devices are significantly more accurate than paper logs. So ELDs can drastically reduce the number of hours-of-service violations that drivers usually get. ELDs are connected to the engines of the vehicles and automatically notify drivers for upcoming HOS violations. This automated process frees drivers from constantly worrying about hours of service. Ultimately, it allows them to focus more on driving.

5. Record more than your duty status

ELDs are now much more capable than just recording duty statuses. For example, the Motive ELD is packed with powerful features, such as idle-time tracking, driver scorecards, IFTA fuel tax reporting, and vehicle diagnostics.

With these features, drivers and carriers can expect a few more benefits:

  • Reduce fuel consumption and wastage with the help of GPS tracking, efficient route management, and idle-time tracking.
  • Reduce paperwork and administrative burdens because of automated IFTA calculations.
  • Improve driving and a reduction in poor driving practices, such as hard braking, excessive acceleration, and hard cornering.
  • Reduce vehicle-related violations,

After December 18, 2017, some fleets may require a few weeks to adjust. If you have never used an electronic logging device, it will take some time to get familiar with ELDs.

That’s why it’s highly recommended that drivers start thinking about ELD implementation before December 18, 2017. LaTonya Mimms from the FMCSA also recommended that drivers should use ELDs before the compliance deadline and get familiar with how the devices work.

Simplify ELD implementation with Motive


Automate ELD compliance and take a proactive approach to risk management when you use Motive. Request a free demo of the Motive ELD today.

The Motive ELD solution is FMCSA-registered and has many useful fleet management features for fleets of all sizes.