Construction fleets should classify each vehicle and trip before assuming every local movement is exempt or every piece of equipment needs the same ELD workflow.
What this means for your fleet
Short routes, jobsite waiting, material hauling, mixed light/heavy vehicles, seasonal crews, and movement between yards can create different recordkeeping needs. Separate on-site operations from public-road movement and document the rule basis.
Example to try with your fleet
A fleet reviews a dump truck used on public roads separately from equipment used only within a jobsite. It checks the vehicle’s weight rating, cargo, route, work location, and driver, then documents the applicable rule or exception. The word “construction” alone does not determine which rules apply.
What to check
Use these checks before buying or setting up an ELD. Record the results and resolve any problems before rollout.
| Check | How to verify |
|---|---|
| 1. Inventory vehicles and combined ratings | Keep the vehicle/VIN, registered and combined ratings, trailer configuration, engine evidence, device assignment, operating role, and inventory review date. |
| 2. Classify interstate and intrastate work | Classify representative trips with origin, destination, commodity or equipment, commerce facts, jurisdiction, current provision, reviewer, and dated conclusion. |
| 3. Define jobsite and yard movement | Map jobsite, private-yard and public-road boundaries; retain movement purpose, start/end locations, selected status, annotation, and next driving event. |
| 4. Assign drivers and devices | Save unique driver logins, truck/device assignments, shift handoffs, engine-data checks, unidentified movement, corrections, coaching, and retests. |
| 5. Review exceptions regularly | Keep the conditions and supporting time, route, and vehicle records for each exception. Name the person responsible for reviewing it and set a review date. Recheck eligibility when the operation changes. |
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.
- Official ELD exceptions and exemptions FAQ — Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
- FMCSA ELD resources for carriers and drivers — Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
- Factor ELD products, plans, and support — Factor ELD.
Try the ELD on a typical route
Tell us about your truck, phone, route, and a task you want to test. Request a Factor ELD demo to see how the product works. Your fleet remains responsible for deciding which rules apply.