Nutech Fleet | BLOG
The recent ELD mandate will require drivers to switch to using ELDs for recording Hours of Service (HOS) data. Previously, most fleets used paper logbooks and manually entered in their hours. But now a mandate is taking effect on January 1, 2023. All motor carriers are legally obliged to install certified devices and enter data electronically. Canadian truckers and trucking companies need to make sure they are prepared to be compliant with the new regulations. Motor carriers that do not have an ELD device deployed risk being placed ‘out of service’ for non-compliance with HOS regulations.
What is an ELD?
An Electronic Logging Device is hardware that connects to a vehicle’s Engine Control Module (ECM) port and syncs with a tracking software and web portal/app. The ELD automatically records Hours of Service (HOS) data as soon as the vehicle is in motion. It also tracks Record of Duty Status (RODS) and other details such as location, distance driven, and engine hours. All data collected can be viewed externally outside of the vehicle using the web and mobile app that it is synced to. The purpose of the ELD is to ensure drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) are compliant and driving within the legal limits.
Why was the mandate created?
The Canadian ELD mandate was created to increase safety in the trucking industry as many drivers become fatigued and less alert after working long hours. This helps by accurately tracking and regulating the legal limit for driving hours. Additionally, the mandate is needed to uphold consistency between Canada and the U.S. regulations where ELDs have been in use and mandated since 2017. Today, trucks crossing the U.S. border travelling need to have ELDs installed to comply with American regulatory requirements. The Canadian ELD mandate also now requires most trucking companies, regardless of whether they are trans-national, to switch from paper logs to ELDs by June 2021.
What are the Benefits of the ELD mandate?
Both fleets and drivers will benefit from the Canadian ELD Mandate. First, the mandate will improve compliance with HOS rules, this helps businesses avoid regulatory fines and drivers avoid out-of-service detention time. Ensuring compliance with HOS also has safety benefits such as reducing the number of crashes, injuries and death caused by driver fatigue.
From an administrative perspective, replacing manual logs with automatic logs will save valuable time and money, and management can rest easy knowing that the data collected is precise and accurate. Communication between dispatchers and drivers will also be more transparent, which will help to increase fleet efficiency.
What should I do next to prepare?
The next step would be to choose a certified ELD provider. There are many different providers in the market right now, but Nutech Fleet’s FMCSA’s Certified ELD solution is a guaranteed way to become ELD compliant. Our user-friendly hardware connects to the ECM port and syncs to the user-friendly mobile app within minutes. All drivers need to do is simply download the mobile app onto a smart device to begin logging hours.
Whether you have already started preparing your fleet and drivers for the ELD mandate or you’re not quite sure where to start, we’ve provided the following checklist, based on Government of Canada directives.
- Review and understand the ELD mandate
ELDs are becoming mandatory in Canada because they have been proven to help:
- Reduce fatigue-related crashes, injuries, and deaths
- Reduce out-of-service detention time of drivers who violate the regulations
- Reduce administrative costs for industry
- Reduce enforcement costs for the provinces and territories.
- Make competition fairer for federally regulated motor carriers
- Work better with regulatory requirements in the US
- Make it easier for drivers and motor carriers to comply with the regulations
- Improve drivers’ quality of life
Understanding the details of the mandate and its reasons will help when implementing the new procedures in your company. Being knowledgeable and believing in these regulations will get everyone on board more smoothly.
- Find out if you’re exempt
According to Canada Gazette Part 1 Volume 151, No. 50. there are four main exemptions to the ELD mandate:
1) CMVs that are under a permit issued by a provincial or territorial HOS director
2) CMVs that are under a statutory exemption
3) CMVs that are subject to rental agreements for a term of 30 days or less
4) CMVs manufactured before the year 2000
There are a couple more specific exemptions you might fall under. For example, drivers that maintain a Record of Duty Status (RODS) for less than 8 days in a 30-day rolling period are exempt. Also, drivers that stay within a certain radius for short-haul trips, and commercial motor vehicles with special permits do not need to be equipped with ELDs.
- Create an implementation plan
If you haven’t started implementing ELDs into your commercial motor vehicles, we recommend coming up with a step-by-step plan on how you want to implement these procedures with your team and sticking to a schedule. The solution you choose needs to be certified by an accredited certification body in order to comply.
- Explore solutions and select the one that is right for you
Ideally, you will select an ELD provider that is not only certified but can offer an affordable and easy to implement solution. Our Certified ELD solution makes it easy and quick for businesses to become ELD compliant.
The Nutech Solution
With all of this in mind, it’s a good idea to start preparing your business now. The last step is to choose a certified ELD provider. Nutech Fleet’s certified ELD solution has the most comprehensive HOS tablet app and portal in the industry. It’ll make compliance a no-brainer. Onboarding and deployment are quick and simple using a cloud-based software. Not to mention, our dedicated response team can help your business become ELD compliant in as little as 24 hours.
Here are some key reasons businesses should consider deploying our ELD solution:
We make onboarding easy
Our users find the solution easy to use and intuitive. This means that you can save time and resources training, as little is needed to understand how to use the features in both the web portal and mobile app. New users (and your employees) also have access to a specialized onboarding team that they can call when support is needed during the transitional stage. This is particularly important in getting the solution deployed quickly, and to get carriers up and running with confidence.
Reduce business risks
Nutech Fleet provides users with HOS visibility directly in the portal. By having anytime, anywhere access and visibility into the logs of each driver, dispatchers and management can respond quickly to violations and avoid hefty fines or unsafe conditions. If a HOS violation occurs, a notification automatically appears, making it easy to detect issues as they arise and ensure that corrective measures are taken as soon as possible.
Total flexibility
Our software allows ELD users to use their own device, or any device they want. Users can either install the solution on smart devices or explore other Nutech Fleet hardware options. This gives users the flexibility to choose the best hardware option for their specific needs.
Real-time visibility
Gain full visibility into their fleet’s activities by deploying our ELD solution. Our hardware consists of GPS tracker devices with IoT sensor technology, cloud connectivity, and a web-based software portal, this enables customers to see the precise and accurate real-time location of all of their assets on their portal, easily helping improve dispatch and operational efficiency, reduce theft, improve customer service, and overall fleet productivity. The benefits of using an ELD GPS solution are endless.
Certified and Compliant
With implementation of the ELD mandate scheduled to go into force on January 1, 2023, carriers will need to ensure their ELDs are approved for use. The hardware and software must be tested and certified by a third-party certification body accredited by the Minister of Transport. The devices listed here have been certified by accredited certifications bodies in order to be used in Canada.
List of certified electronic logging devices (Transport Canada)
Failure to comply with the ELD mandate set out by the Canadian Government and Transportation Canada can lead to serious legal consequences and can critically hurt your business. That is why it is important to get the ball rolling so you can be ELD compliant today.
Contact us to get started quickly with a reliable, certified ELD solution.