ELD edits must preserve the original record and include the reason for the change. A carrier may propose corrections, but the driver must be able to review and accept or reject changes to the driver's record; automatically recorded driving time cannot simply be changed to hide movement.
What this means for your fleet
Use a standard edit reason that explains what was wrong, what evidence supports the correction, who proposed it, and what the driver decided. Investigate repeated edits as a process signal.
Choose the correct way to make a correction
| Situation | Permitted response | Do not do |
|---|---|---|
| Driver selected the wrong non-driving status | Driver corrects it with the factual reason and recertifies as required. | Delete the original event or use a vague reason. |
| Carrier finds a likely error | Carrier proposes an edit; the driver reviews and accepts or rejects it. | Silently overwrite the driver’s record. |
| Automatically recorded driving belongs to another driver | Use the documented reassignment/unidentified-driving workflow with evidence. | Convert movement to off duty merely to remove a violation. |
| Personal conveyance or yard move was not selected in time | Preserve the driving event and add the allowed factual annotation. | Shorten driving time by retroactively relabeling the event. |
What to check
| Check | How to verify |
|---|---|
| 1. Open the original event and context | Keep the original event ID, status, time, location, vehicle, driver, surrounding events, dispatch or supporting context, and reason review began. |
| 2. Choose the correct correction procedure | Record the rule and manual instructions that apply, the original and proposed values, who proposed the change, whether driver review is required, and the decision. |
| 3. Write a specific annotation | Save the specific annotation stating what was wrong, evidence used, correction, author, timestamp, affected event, and unresolved limitation. |
| 4. Route carrier proposals to the driver | Keep the carrier proposal, reason and evidence, notification, driver acceptance or rejection, timestamps, final record, and audit history. |
| 5. Retain the audit history | Retrieve the original and edited values, every actor and timestamp, annotations, driver responses, certification state, export result, and retention check. |
Common failure modes
- Using vague notes such as “fixed.”
- Pressuring drivers to accept edits.
- Changing records to improve a compliance score.
Limits and exceptions
Use this guide to plan your checks; it does not determine whether a legal exception applies, certify a record, or guarantee compliance, safety, savings, or audit results. Preserve original ELD records and edit history. Use the current rules to determine applicability and the manual for your installed device for operating instructions.
Sources and review date
Reviewed August 10, 2026. Check the latest rules and product information before changing your procedures or signing a contract.
- Editing, annotation, certification, and original-record preservation — Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
- Factor ELD products, plans, and support — Factor ELD.
Discuss your ELD workflow
Ask Factor ELD to demonstrate the workflow on your installed system. Have the driver, vehicle, trip details, and original ELD record ready. A qualified compliance reviewer should determine how the current rules apply to the trip.