ELD Best Practices for Fleet Success: 9 Helpful Tips on Electronic Logging

Originally published: 2018
Source: Geotab

But now what?
After purchasing an ELD, you could fall into one of three categories:

• “Things are going great!”
• “We’re still learning.”
• “Help! We’re struggling.”

Rolling out a new system will always come with challenges. Maybe you are new to fleet tracking technology, you have team members resistant to change, or you feel there isn’t enough time or resources to manage another system.

This white paper is designed to help you make the most of your ELDs. Geotab has compiled a number of practical tips related to training, use, and management. Read on to discover how to achieve fleet success with ELDs.

There are a number of important technical differences between AOBRDs and ELDs, specifically, the features and functions.rnrnHow ELDs differ from AOBRDs:rnu003culu003ern tu003cliu003eInternal synchronization is more clearly defined.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eRequires recording of location information of the commercial motor vehicle each duty status change, plus every 60 minutes while the vehicle is in motion.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eThe graph grid of the driver’s duty status changes is required (display or printout).u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eMust provide warnings of unassigned driving time/miles when the driver logs in.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eDefault to on-duty not driving status when the vehicle has stopped for five consecutive minutes and no driver response to ELD prompt.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eSynchronization to Universal Coordinated Time (UTC).u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eEnhanced resistance to tampering.u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e

You may see a few different terms used in relation to keeping records of duty status (RODs), including AOBRD, EOBR, and ELD. Here is a quick definition of each term and the related regulations.rnu003cfigure class=u0022wp-block-tableu0022u003ernu003ctableu003ernu003ctbodyu003ernu003ctru003ernu003ctdu003eu003cstrongu003eTermu003c/strongu003eu003c/tdu003ernu003ctdu003eu003cstrongu003eDefinitionu003c/strongu003eu003c/tdu003ernu003ctdu003eu003cstrongu003eBackgroundu003c/strongu003eu003c/tdu003ernu003c/tru003ernu003ctru003ernu003ctdu003eAOBRDu003c/tdu003ernu003ctdu003eAutomatic On-Board Recording Deviceu003c/tdu003ernu003ctdu003eIn 1988, with the arrival of new technology for recording a truck driver’s duty status, the Automatic On-Board Recording (AOBRD) Rule was published to set out standards for use.u003c/tdu003ernu003c/tru003ernu003ctru003ernu003ctdu003eEOBRu003c/tdu003ernu003ctdu003eElectronic On-Board Recorderu003c/tdu003ernu003ctdu003eThe FMCSA expanded regulations in 2010 with a rule on Electronic On-Board Recorders for Hours of Service. Interstate commercial truck and bus companies with a history of serious HOS violations would be required to use EOBRs. However, after a court challenge, the FMCSA vacated the EOBR rule.u003c/tdu003ernu003c/tru003ernu003ctru003ernu003ctdu003eELDu003c/tdu003ernu003ctdu003eElectronic Logging Deviceu003c/tdu003ernu003ctdu003eIn 2015, the ELD Final Rule was published setting out the technical requirements for electronic logging devices. The rule provided a two-stage compliance timeline for carriers and drivers to transition from paper logs, logging software, and AOBRDs over to ELDs.u003c/tdu003ernu003c/tru003ernu003c/tbodyu003ernu003c/tableu003ernu003c/figureu003e

Many fleets are asking: Is there a grace period for ELDs? Yes, but the gap is closing fast. The phased-in compliance period is coming to an end on December 16, 2019.rnrnIn Phase 2 of the ELD timeline, carriers that had installed AOBRDs were grandfathered in and allowed to use their devices.rnrnDuring this time, to be considered compliant, u003cstrongu003egrandfathered AOBRDsu003c/strongu003e must:rnu003culu003ern tu003cliu003ebe installed by the motor carrier and rolled out before the ELD compliance deadline of December 18, 2017u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003emeet the requirements of U.S. Hours of Service regulations, section 395.15u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernHowever, all these changes as of December 2019. Once the Full Compliance Phase begins, motor carriers and drivers subject to the ELD rule will need to use self-certified, registered ELDs.

The FMCSA allows carriers to move AOBRDs previously installed before December 16, 2017, and updated over-the-air to other vehicles.rnrnFurther clarity is provided in the FMCSA’s answer: “However, you may not purchase and install a new AOBRD in a vehicle after December 18, 2017.”rnrnAgain, keep in mind that as of December 16, carriers can only use ELDs going forward.

This is a popular misconception. Carriers cannot switch to a new AOBRD provider. Even if a carrier’s current AOBRD system has been grandfathered in, that carrier cannot replace it with a new AOBRD provider’s system.rnrnBill Quade, FMCSA Associate Administrator for Enforcement stated in email communication to Geotab:rnrnu003cemu003e“FMCSA has a Frequently Asked Question that allows a motor carrier that was using AOBRDs before December 18, 2017, to add devices that are ELD-capable, but running AOBRD software during the ELD/AOBRD transition period. This FAQ was drafted to allow carriers with established AOBRD programs to be able to add vehicles to their existing logging systems without having to run part of the fleet on AOBRD software and part on ELD software. A carrier that changes vendors entirely no longer has a legacy AOBRD system that needs to be accommodated so they do not qualify to install non-ELD devices after the December 18, 2017 date.”u003c/emu003ernrnThe answer to this FAQ will only be applicable until December 16, 2019, where all carriers will need an ELD.

Many ELD vendors are still running AOBRD platforms and don’t plan on switching fleets over to ELD until Q4 of 2019 when required. This raises the concern that some vendors may not transition effectively to the new, more complex, and thorough requirements for ELD devices. Before bringing any solution to the market, time is required for proper testing, resolving any issues, and improvement. When it comes to electronic logging and roadside transfer especially, your business needs a reliable solution.rnrnEarly on, Geotab made the decision to only provide an ELD solution as of December 18, 2017, and did not offer an AOBRD solution. We spent more than 18 months focused on ELD and building a robust system. Geotab works closely with FMCSA and regularly connects with customers to continually gather feedback and enhance the ease of use of the system. Early adopters have had more than a year and a half running Geotab’s Cloud ELD solution, and are well versed and operating smoothly in their everyday life and during roadside inspections.rnrnWe encourage other fleets to take a critical look at vendor qualifications like years in business, ranking, and security when picking their ELD solution.rnrnGet more tips on picking the best ELD provider in this post.

The use of grandfathered AOBRDs is limited and coming to an end. The Full Compliance Phase of the ELD rule begins on December 16, 2019. After this date, drivers and motor carriers are must use self-certified ELDs. AOBRDs, logging software, and paper logs will all be phased out at this point. For a full explanation of ELD self-certification, see this post.rnrnELDs have ushered in a new data-driven era in trucking. With new capabilities in vehicle tracking and integration, carriers can expect benefits in compliance, efficiency, and improved customer satisfaction and driver safety.