The motor carrier—not the ELD provider—is responsible for complying with the ELD mandate. Because carriers are ultimately responsible, you need to choose your ELD provider wisely and look for certain attributes.
The FMCSA puts this requirement at the top of its ELD checklist. The ELD mandate sets standards for commercial fleets and drivers who track and share records of duty status (RODS).
A compliant ELD solution needs to:
If a solution is not on the FMCSA's list, it may or may not be compliant. Our solution, Zonar Logs™, is third-party verified, tested and registered on the FMCSA's list.
Zonar Logs meets:
Zonar Logs also supports various rulesets and exemptions for U.S. intrastate, interstate and passenger carrying fleets.
The easier an ELD solution is to use, the smoother its adoption and the easier it is for drivers to stay compliant. Ease-of-use also translates into:
Especially when the ELD solution is easy to use for three specific types of users.
Need to electronically submit their HoS records, easily see their available hours and update their duty status. When they're approaching violations, alerts help them avoid violations. And, the ability to edit previous duty statuses prevents accidental violations by ensuring accurate HoS records. An especially useful feature when drivers can make edits using a secure, online driver dashboard that they can access anytime, anywhere.
Need to view driver availability and performance, as well as each driver’s HoS records. Ideally, fleet managers should also be able to view driver logs by day, week and month to spot trends in violations by driver and across the fleet. If fleet managers can assign unidentified driver trips and suggest edits to HoS records, the ELD solution makes their job that much easier.
Using a secure, online portal, fleet managers should be able to:
Need to easily view the driver’s logs during vehicle roadside inspections. To make law enforcement’s job easier and roadside inspections more efficient for both sides, the ELD solution should also enable drivers to quickly provide law enforcement an electronic record through email or other digital means on the spot.
Designing and developing an ELD solution that ticks off the checkboxes of requirements is one thing. Building an ELD solution with direct input from experts who know the regulations is better.
Look for an ELD solution developed with extensive input from an expert who sees the solution from everyone’s perspective. Also look for one backed by experts who participate in several associations, organizations and events to stay on the frontlines and inform policies.
A quality ELD solution includes more than just the devices. Look for one that also includes features and functions to help ensure continued, uninterrupted HoS compliance, and minimizes the margin for error and violations.
For example, let’s look at some features and functions of Zonar Logs.
One exclusive feature of Zonar Logs, Compliance Insights is an effective, efficient dashboard available within Zonar Ignition™. Compliance Insights provides access to key driver data such as live statuses, availability, performance and hours of service.
Another exclusive feature of Zonar Logs, Roadside View makes it easy for law enforcement to view the driver's logs during a commercial roadside inspection.
Zonar Logs automatically updates as regulations change, which they often will. Doing so saves you the time and trouble of keeping your ELD solution current yourself. Plus, automatically updating with regulation changes helps ensure that drivers and managers stay compliant—without interrupting their day.
Since the ELD mandate was first published in 2015, a number of providers set up shop to make sales. Instead, look for a provider that’s well established and has a history of putting customers first. These are the types of providers in which other industry heavy hitters invest.
They're also the providers to put at the top on your list.
For example, Zonar:
Zonar also has a dedicated team of experienced safety and compliance experts, who:
Few providers offer expert insight and substantial support for ELD compliance—even after implementation. Even fewer are prepared to help you comply with U.S. and Canadian ELD. Choosing a provider who does sets you up for success and is better equipped to help you ensure ELD compliance long term.
Whether you’re unsatisfied with your current ELD provider or still working toward compliance for any reason, we can help you determine if our solution is a right fit. Contact our safety and compliance team to set up your complimentary consultation. No commitment, just a conversation.