The ELD mandate, which will require those with a commercial driver’s license to keep a Record of Duty Status (RODS) using an electronic logging device to record the information, is now less than three months away. Here are some important things carriers should consider to make sure they’re ready to go in December and beyond.
Be aware of the exemptions. Not all carriers are required to comply with the ELD mandate. A few of the larger groups include:
- Vehicles with a manufacturing date prior to 2000.
- Short-haul drivers who are not required to maintain a Record of Duty Status (RODS)
- Carriers that operate certain tow-away/drive-away operations
Know the ELD mandate timeline. The mandate is being rolled out in three phases:
- Phase 1, Awareness and Transition – Began on Feb. 16, 2017 and ends Dec. 18 2017. This phase was intended to give carriers the opportunity to learn more about ELD and explore the best options for their organization.
- Phase 2, Phased-in Compliance – Will run through December 16, 2019. During this time, carriers will now be required to use ELDs. Automatic on-board recording devices (AOBRDs) that were installed prior to the Dec. 18 deadline will be permitted for a limited duration.
- Phase 3, Full Compliance – After Dec. 16, 2019, AOBRDs will no longer be permitted and all non-exempt carriers must be using ELDs.
Make ELD on-boarding a priority. Technological change can be challenging. Make the transition smoother:
- Outline how the ELD mandate will impact everyone within your organization and what they’ll need to do to help maintain compliance.
- Once that outline is completed, make sure all appropriate stakeholders receive the training necessary to use the new technology. For drivers, it will be a good idea to use ELDs prior to the deadline to ensure they’re up to speed.
- While training will help, there’s no better gauge for understanding ELD than experience. After full implementation, regularly check in to see what pain points still exist and work to address them.
Vet your solution provider. Because the ELD mandate is tied to compliance, it’s critical to ensure your partner has the history and expertise to keep your fleet between the regulatory lines. They should be able to:
- Demonstrate a history of assisting similar carriers with technology that is not only compliant, but user-friendly.
- Share their expertise around securing data.
- Provide all the hardware, software and connectivity solutions that allow you to quickly use the technology.
- Offer assistance and guidance in case, whether a minor technological glitch or in times of emergency.