Record the driver’s actual work during delays and cargo checks. Reefer telemetry and ELD records serve different purposes; one does not replace the other.
What this means for your fleet
Keep temperature and cargo systems distinct from the official duty record while linking events for investigation. Dispatch should plan appointment risk without pressuring drivers to relabel waiting or work.
Example to try with your fleet
A rejected refrigerated load produces temperature checks, washout, detention, redelivery, and an appointment change. The driver records actual duty activity, dispatch retains the delay context, and the fleet links—but does not merge—reefer telemetry and ELD records.
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. Map temperature checks and cargo work | Retain temperature-check, reefer inspection, cargo work, waiting and driving events with timestamps, locations, original statuses, and reviewer. |
| 2. Capture detention context | Keep appointment, arrival/departure, dock and detention times, messages, work performed, actual statuses, annotations, and dispatch disposition. |
| 3. Keep reefer and duty records distinct | Identify the data, timestamps, and access permissions in each system. Test any integration and confirm that temperature or equipment events cannot overwrite original duty records. |
| 4. Plan appointment risk | Attach appointments and route plan, projected/actual times, HOS risk point, dispatch adjustment, exception, reviewer, and final result. |
| 5. Test multi-stop and offline workflows | Run a multi-stop offline scenario; keep disconnect/reconnect times, queued events, gaps or duplicates, status continuity, recovery, defects, and retest. |
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 and certifying records — 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.