Previously, a truck driver had to do much documentation along with driving. Truck owners hand to handle paper logbooks to record their daily activity, including break times, shift hours, and fuel consumption, driven miles and much more. Not only was this process boring and counterproductive, but it was also vulnerable to human flaws. And these mistakes invited penalties and high CSA scores. This is where a reliable electronic logging device provider in USA can help you.

In 2017-18, FMCSA made ELD mandatory that compelled commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) to have certified electronic logging devices (ELDs).

Therefore, let us know the concept first, what exactly is an ELD solution, and why is it so vital for trucking companies and how can you develop one for your business?

What exactly is an ELD and why you need a reliable Electronic logging device provider in USA?

An Electronic Logging Device (ELD) is an electronic machine attached to the engine of a commercial motor vehicle to record driving hours. Unlike the Hours of Service (HOS) in the USA, different guidelines regulate the driving hours of commercial drivers. An ELD monitors the engine of a vehicle and capture data regarding whether the vehicle is moving, miles driven etc.

Why is an ELD important for your trucking business?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has made it mandatory to record all driving hours using an ELD. But apart from compliance, ELDs can be conducive to your trucking business in the following ways:

• Low Insurance Premium

Fleets and trucks with ELD get better insurance premiums. As ELDs enhance fleet safety, insurance companies provide better rates than fleets without ELDs.

• Enhanced safety

According to FMCSA, ELDs assist to save lives and prevent injuries every year. Moreover, ELDs imply GPS features that facilitate the hazard of a hijacked or stolen vehicle.

• Lessened liabilities

Road accidents are not always the fault of the driver, but trucking companies have to deal with lawsuits often. In cases when your driver is not at fault, the data from ELD can be used as an evidence to strengthen your case.

• Detection of Bad Driving behaviors

Bad driving behaviors can enhance operational costs, fuel consumption and the hazard of compliance problems.

• Management of route and tracking of location

Taking unusually long routes can increase your losses. With ELDs, you can track your vehicles and drivers using GPS tracking.

• Maintenance of vehicle

ELD app connects to the diagnostic port of the vehicle, which allows active tracking of the fault codes. Therefore, you can always stay updated with the maintenance problems of your vehicle and take precaution measures at the right time.

• Lessened fuel wastage

You can monitor how much fuel your drivers are using, and how much they are depleting. ELDs enable you to assess the amount of time a driver spends idling, which can lessen fuel wastage.

• Lessened administrative burden

ELDs automatically monitor and record the movement of the vehicles, eradicating manual documentation and administrative encumbrance. With ELDs, you don’t have to bother about manually logging Hours of Service (HOS).  You can thereby save cost, time and endeavors you would have otherwise spent doing administrative work.

Conclusion

Most of the fleet managers and trucking companies think about electronic logbooks for truck drivers as a solution to keep the FMCSA happy, and it is also true to a certain extent. Without using an accredited ELD system, your vehicle won’t be eligible to run on the roads. But ELD solutions are way more than just a compliance hack.