Recording and driving limits are separate
An ELD automatically records driving and required vehicle information. The driver still supplies the appropriate duty status and other required details, reviews the records and certifies them. An ELD does not grant extra driving hours.
Check the operation before choosing a device
Determine whether RODS are required and whether a specific ELD exception applies. Short-haul time records, the rolling eight-days-in-30 exception, qualifying driveaway-towaway operations and pre-2000 provisions have different conditions. An agricultural operation is not automatically exempt for every trip or part of a trip.
Carrier responsibilities continue after installation
Select a currently registered device for the actual hardware/software combination; train drivers; provide the required in-cab information; maintain logs and separate backup copies for the required retention period; and handle malfunctions. The driver’s transfer instructions must match the device’s supported methods.
FMCSA describes listed devices as manufacturer-self-certified, without agency endorsement. A registration entry is not a guarantee that a carrier’s daily operation meets every rule.
Continue with the detailed ELD mandate guide or the applicability check.