No. The ECM and ELD may be connected by serial or Control Area Network communication protocols. Hard wiring to the J1939 plug and Bluetooth connectivity are examples of methods of receiving the data from the ECM or vehicle data bus.

The electronic logging device (ELD) rule is intended to help create a safer work environment for drivers and make it easier and faster to accurately track, manage, and share records of duty status (RODS) data.

• ELDs make it easier, simpler, and quicker to keep driver logs.
• ELDs limit mistakes and reduce form and manner errors.
• ELDs provide information to drivers and motor carriers so that drivers can better manage fatigue and schedule issues.
• ELDs correctly record location and accurate information to easily track duty status.
• ELDs are a good management tool and back office asset to improve productivity and enhance compliance.
• With ELDs, there is less paperwork, and driver logs are orderly, clear, and accurate.

The ELD rule applies to most motor carriers and drivers who are currently required to maintain records of duty status (RODS) per Part 395, 49 CFR 395.8(a). The rule applies to commercial buses as well as trucks, and to Canada and Mexico domiciled drivers.

• Requires ELD use by commercial drivers involved in interstate commerce who are required to prepare hours-of-service (HOS) records of duty status (RODS).
• Sets ELD performance and design standards, and requires ELDs to be certified and registered with FMCSA.
• Establishes what supporting documents drivers and carriers are required to keep.
• Prohibits harassment of drivers based on ELD data or connected technology (such as fleet management system). The rule also provides recourse for drivers who believe they have been harassed.

Drivers who use the timecard exception are not required to keep records of duty status (RODS) or use ELDs. Additionally, the following drivers are not required to use ELDs; however, they are still bound by the RODS requirements in 49 CFR 395 and must prepare logs on paper, using an Automatic On-Board Recording Device (AOBRD), or with a logging software program when required:

• 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, where the vehicle being driven is the commodity being delivered.
• Drivers of vehicles manufactured before 2000.

The code is the 10th digit of the vehicles VIN. Apply the code to this table to determine the year. Click here to determine your vehicle’s model year.

Yes. However, the ELD must comply with the ELD rule’s technical specifications. The ELD may use alternative sources to obtain or estimate the required vehicle parameters, in accordance with the accuracy requirements in Section 4.3.1 of the ELD rule.

No. Motor carriers or drivers that operate rented or leased commercial motor vehicle are required to record hours of service with an ELD, unless the driver or commercial motor vehicle is exempt from the requirements of the ELD rule.

Yes, oui and si. Canada and Mexico domiciled drivers must comply with the Federal hours of service rules while operating in the United States. This includes using ELDs unless they qualify for one of the exceptions. A driver operating in multiple jurisdiction will be able to annotate the driver’s record of duty status on the ELD with information on periods of operation outside the United States.

No. ELD use is required for vehicles whose VINs reflect a model year of 2000 or newer. However, if the engine control module (ECM) or ECM connectivity does not provide it, the ELD rule requires a reasonable proxy for this data.

If the currently installed engine does not support an ECM to obtain or estimate the required vehicle parameters, then the operator must use an ELD that does not rely on ECM connectivity, provided that the accuracy requirements of the final rule are met.

Yes. Drivers can drive CMVs equipped with ELDs and still use their exception. A motor carrier may configure an ELD to show the exception for drivers exempt from using the ELD, or use the ELD annotation to record the status.

According to the ELD rule technical specifications, an ELD must support one of two options for electronic data transfer:

1. The first option is a “telematics” transfer type ELD. At a minimum, it must electronically transfer data to an authorized safety official on demand via wireless Web services and email.
2. The second option is a “local” transfer type ELD. At a minimum, it must electronically transfer data to an authorized safety official on demand via USB2.0 and Bluetooth®.

To ensure that law enforcement is always able to receive the hours of service (HOS) data during a roadside inspection, a driver must be able to provide either the display or a printout when an authorized safety official requests a physical display of the information.

Yes. A driver may use a portable ELD. A portable ELD must be mounted in a fixed position during commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operation (CMV) and visible to the driver from a normal seated driving position.

Yes. An ELD can be on a smartphone or other wireless device if the device meets the ELD rule’s technical specifications.

If an ELD malfunctions, a driver must:

1. Note the malfunction of the ELD and provide written notice of the malfunction to the motor carrier within 24 hours;
2. Reconstruct the record of duty status (RODS) for the current 24-hour period and the previous 7 consecutive days, and record the records of duty status on graph-grid paper logs that comply with 49 CFR 395.8, unless the driver already has the records or retrieves them from the ELD; and
3. Continue to manually prepare RODS in accordance with 49 CFR 395.8 until the ELD is serviced and back in compliance.

No. If the electronic means for transferring data is unavailable or fails, the driver can still be compliant by showing either a printout or the actual ELD display of their RODS.

For six months, a motor carrier must keep both the ELD RODS data, and a back-up copy of that data on a separate device. The carrier must ensure that these records are stored securely to protect driver privacy.

FMCSA will not retain any ELD data unless there is a violation.

Beginning on December 18, 2017, a driver using an ELD must have an ELD information packet onboard the commercial motor vehicle (CMV) containing the following items:

1. A user’s manual for the driver describing how to operate the ELD;
2. An instruction sheet describing the data transfer mechanisms supported by the ELD and step-by-step instructions to produce and transfer the driver’s hours-of-service records to an authorized safety official;
3. An instruction sheet for the driver describing ELD malfunction reporting requirements and recordkeeping procedures during ELD malfunctions; and
4. A supply of blank driver’s records of duty status (RODS) graph-grids sufficient to record the driver’s duty status and other related information for a minimum of 8 days.

Prior to December 18, 2017, FMCSA recommends that drivers have the user’s manual, malfunction instruction sheet, and graph-grids.​

ELD user accounts must be set up by a motor carrier for:

1. Commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers who are employed by the motor carrier and who are required to use the ELD, and
2. Support personnel who have been authorized by the motor carrier to create, remove, and manage user accounts; configure allowed ELD parameters; and access, review, and manage drivers’ ELD records on behalf of the motor carrier.

Each driver account must be created by entering the driver’s license number and the State of jurisdiction that issued the driver’s license. The driver’s license information is only required to set up the driver’s user account and verify his or her identity; it is not used as part of the daily process for entering duty status information.

A motor carrier must assign only one ELD driver account for each of its drivers required to use an ELD. An ELD must not allow the creation of more than one driver account associated with a driver’s license for a given motor carrier. The motor carrier is also responsible for establishing requirements for unique user identifications and passwords.

• Carriers and drivers who are using paper logs or logging software must transition to ELDs no later than December 18, 2017.
• Carriers and drivers who use AOBRDS prior to the compliance date must transition to ELDs no later than December 16, 2019.

Carriers must evaluate and select ELDs, and ensure they are installed and drivers and administrative staff are trained to use them by the deadline that applies (December 16, 2019 for carriers using AOBRDs or December 18, 2017) for those using paper logs or logging software.

Drivers must understand and be able to use ELDs by the required deadline, including how to annotate and edit RODS, certify RODS, and collect required supporting documents. You will also need to know how to display and transfer data to safety officials when requested.

They must be registered and listed on the FMCSA website. Here’s the list. https://3pdp.fmcsa.dot.gov/ELD/ELDList.aspx