The Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is rolling out new regulation requiring commercial motor carriers and drivers to use Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs). The Final Rule regulation requires commercial truck and bus drivers currently using paper logs or logging software to transition to ELDs by December 18, 2017. The FMCSA anticipates that approximately 3 million drivers will be impacted.
ELDs record the engine hours, location information, vehicle movement, and miles driven. The Final Rule regulation is designed to increase roadway safety, prevent crashes, and save lives by ensuring drivers comply with hours-of-service regulations that prevent fatigue.
What is the Impact for Clients with a Vehicle Fleet?
The Final Rule is a huge opportunity (or headache) for clients who have a fleet of vehicles, especially if they have not converted to electronic logging. The good news is that smartphones, tablets and other wireless devices can be used as ELDs, as long as they satisfy technical specifications, are certified as compliant by the provider, and are registered with the FMCSA.
ELDs also offer cost benefits to clients. They make hours-of-service tracking easier and more accurate, reducing paperwork and red tape. The devices help prevent hours-of-service violations, eliminating fines for improperly maintained manual logs. And the devices keep dispatchers and drivers in real-time contact, allowing for more efficient planning.
Motor carriers and drivers subject to the ELD rule must start using ELDs by the compliance date of December 18, 2017, unless they are using a grandfathered Automatic On-board Recording Device (AOBRD). After December 16, 2019, all drivers and carriers subject to the rule must use self-certified ELDs that are registered with FMCSA.
Dedicated Wireless & Mobility Support for ELD Compliance
Intelisys Sales Partners can now access dedicated wireless and mobility resources, advice and custom solutions. David Vine, Wireless Solutions Specialist, can identify and recommend the ideal solutions for individual customers, walk you through the quoting and ordering process, and more, all at no cost to Sales Partners. Click here to learn more about and access Sales Partner Wireless & Mobility Support.
Ken Mills
President
Ken Mills serves as President of Intelisys and is committed to driving growth for Intelisys and our partners. As a distinguished technology executive with over two decades of experience, Ken has previously held leadership roles at EPIC iO, Dell Technologies and Cisco, and served as a fellow with the U.S. Department of State. His strategic mindset has been an integral part of launching innovative products and solutions in the fields of AI, IoT, and 5G. Ken is driven by his curiosity and passion for groundbreaking technology and complex problems, and constantly explores new frontiers in the world of technology.