ELD
Electronic Logging Device — a device that automatically records a driver's hours of service, as mandated by the FMCSA.
An Electronic Logging Device (ELD) is a piece of technology installed in a commercial motor vehicle that automatically records the driver's driving time and hours of service (HOS). ELDs connect to the vehicle's engine control module (ECM) to capture data including engine hours, vehicle movement, miles driven, and location information. The ELD Mandate, which went into full effect on December 16, 2019, requires most CMV drivers who are required to keep records of duty status (RODS) to use registered ELDs.
ELDs track the four driver duty statuses defined by FMCSA regulations: Off Duty, Sleeper Berth, Driving, and On Duty (Not Driving). The device automatically records driving time when the vehicle is in motion and cannot be manually altered by the driver. Drivers can edit their logs to annotate non-driving time (such as switching between on-duty and off-duty), but all edits are tracked and visible during inspections.
ELD data must be available for roadside inspection in one of three ways: display on the ELD screen, printout from the device, or transfer via Bluetooth or USB to the inspector. During an inspection, the officer reviews the driver's current day plus the previous seven days of logs, checking for HOS violations such as exceeding the 11-hour driving limit, the 14-hour on-duty window, or the 60/70-hour weekly limit.
Beyond basic compliance, modern ELD platforms often include fleet management features: GPS tracking, vehicle diagnostics, IFTA fuel tax reporting, driver vehicle inspection reports (DVIRs), two-way messaging, and performance analytics. These integrated platforms help carriers manage their operations more efficiently while maintaining regulatory compliance.