Understanding the Importance of ELD

For truck drivers, the main part of the job is driving and safely transporting loads from Point A to Point B. As is the case with many jobs, there’s bound to be a paper trail that tells the tale of the trucking run. If only there were some sort of device that could take care of some of that tedious record keeping for you? Fortunately, there is.

This device is called an ELD. Not only does it handle the recordkeeping associated with trucking runs, it also ensures that neither you nor your employer accidentally violates federal regulations pertaining to the trucking industry.

Here’s more information on what ELD is for truckers, and why ELD is important for truck drivers.

What is ELD?

The acronym ELD stands for electronic logging device. It’s a small device that plugs into a port under the dashboard inside the truck. This device takes the place of those old paper logbooks and frees truck drivers from having to manually keep track of their hours and miles. This is especially helpful after a long shift, when a trucker may not be in the mood to do paperwork.

It also protects against accidental mistakes or dispatchers misusing the old paper system for nefarious purposes.

How does an ELD work?

An ELD tracks a driver’s hours of service and creates an indisputable record that can protect against false accusations of negligence. It also communicates with the truck’s engine to doublecheck its own record and ensure accuracy. It’s like a trustworthy eyewitness that always has your back as a trucker.

Why is an ELD important?

Drivers can’t drive for more than 11 hours in a 14-hour period—that’s part of the ELD mandate enacted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This is intended to make the roadways safer and prevent driver fatigue, as well as making it easier for drivers to track their hours.

An ELD is important for truck drivers because it ensures that the federal regulations surrounding truck driving are followed. It also tracks the hours driven and total miles driven in each state and each jurisdiction, which makes it easier to calculate IFTA tax reports.

What does this mean for truckers?

For truckers, an ELD ensures they receive their regular break periods as guaranteed by the law. Employers cannot force drivers to work more than the law allows, and an ELD keeps them honest.

One misconception is that this allows the government or anyone else to “spy” on drivers while they’re doing their job. This is not true. The only thing an ELD does is amount of time spent driving, as well as location information. It also records the actual miles driven and other engine information for cross referencing.

Since December 2019, ELDs have been required for most commercial vehicles. They’re intended to make a trucker’s job easier by eliminating the tedious record keeping through electronic automation. For more information on ELDs or to hire reliable, professional trucking services, contact Pro Delivery LLC today. We’ll deliver your loads safely, securely and on-time.

Categorised in: Truck Drivers

This post was written by Writer