ELDs for trucks: What are the benefits of installing ELDs in your fleet?

If you're a fleet manager, it’s important to make sure your drivers stay ELD compliant. To do this, fleets are required to install electronic logging devices (ELDs), or ELD devices, in their vehicles to ensure driving hours are accurately tracked and Hours of Service (HOS) requirements are properly met.

But beyond compliance, ELDs can also offer fleets a wide range of benefits that help improve fleet management and streamline operations. Read on to learn why ELDs for trucks are not just an integral part of a compliance solution, but a great way to improve overall fleet efficiency.

What are ELDs?

Electronic logging devices, also known as electronic logbooks, e-logs, or driver logs, automatically record driving time and vehicle usage to ensure compliance with Hours of Service (HOS) regulations. ELDs provide fleets with a reliable, tamper-resistant way to collect HOS data and maintain regulatory compliance. 

Modern ELD solutions often integrate seamlessly with fleet management platforms and include smartphone or tablet apps that allow drivers to update their duty status, complete daily logs, and easily present electronic records to DOT officers during roadside inspections. 

To ensure accuracy and compliance, ELDs must connect directly to a vehicle's engine to monitor usage and prevent falsification of records. It is also essential to select an ELD solution that is certified and listed on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) registry of compliant devices.

Why are ELDs an important part of a fleet management solution?

Electronic logging devices (ELDs) are essential for ensuring compliance with Hours of Service (HOS) regulations while providing a wide range of operational benefits. As a core component of any telematics solution, ELDs enable fleet managers, owner-operators, and drivers to simplify compliance and improve safety, efficiency, and productivity.

Simplified regulatory compliance

The ELD rule, established under the FMCSA’s final rule, requires commercial drivers who maintain records of duty status (RODS) to use ELDs for compliance. ELDs simplify HOS tracking by automatically recording drive time and integrating with fleet management systems to provide real-time visibility into driver logs.

With tools like real-time alerts and customizable compliance dashboards, ELDs allow fleet managers to proactively monitor and prevent HOS violations. Partners like Samsara offer automated HOS reports, configurable alerts for potential violations, and real-time insights that help dispatchers plan routes while ensuring compliance with federal regulations.

Learn how Emery Sapp & Sons gained real-time fleet visibility and streamlined HOS compliance with the Samsara ELD compliance system.

Improved driver safety

By pairing ELDs with telematics solutions, fleet managers gain access to real-time and historical data on vehicle performance and driver behavior. This enables them to develop comprehensive safety programs, including proactive coaching based on harsh braking, speeding, and other risky driving behaviors.

ELDs also allow drivers to focus on their core responsibility—driving—by automating manual processes like logbook entries and calculations. With accurate tracking of drive time, ELDs help reduce the risk of drowsy driving and ensure compliance with mandated rest periods. Advanced solutions integrate AI-powered video safety tools to further mitigate risks and prevent accidents.

Decreased admin work

Administrative tasks like HOS reporting, IFTA mileage tracking, and driver vehicle inspection reports (DVIRs) are significantly streamlined when ELDs are integrated into a fleet management platform. Automated data collection from vehicle OBD ports eliminates the need for manual data entry, allowing back-office teams to focus on higher-value tasks.

With tools like Samsara’s automated fuel reports, idling alerts, and on-the-go DVIR submissions, fleet managers can easily access and analyze operational data, helping to reduce errors and save time.

Reduced maintenance costs

When connected to a telematics solution, ELD devices can detect engine diagnostics and vehicle health issues in real time, notifying fleet managers of potential problems like low battery levels or engine faults. This allows fleets to address maintenance issues proactively, minimizing downtime and reducing repair costs.

Preventative maintenance schedules can also be automated based on mileage, engine hours, or diagnostic alerts, preventing costly emergency repairs and extending the lifespan of fleet vehicles. Additionally, by optimizing fuel usage and reducing idling, ELDs contribute to lower operational costs and support sustainability goals.

Want to learn more about the benefits of ELDs? Learn how Dohrn Transfer Company streamlined ELD compliance and optimized their 600+ asset fleet with Samsara’s integrated solution for real-time data and connected operations.

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Who needs an ELD?

Drivers who operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) and are required to maintain a record of duty status (RODS) must comply with the ELD mandate. CMVs are vehicles used for business purposes and interstate travel that meet any of the following criteria:

• Have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of more than 10,000 pounds

• Are designed to transport 16 or more non-paying passengers, including the driver

• Are designed to transport nine or more paying passengers, including the driver

• Transport enough hazardous materials to legally require warning placards

Are there exemptions to the ELD mandate?

Not all drivers are required to use ELDs. The following exemptions apply:

• Short-haul drivers: Drivers operating within a 150-air-mile radius who meet timekeeping requirements.

• Vehicles manufactured before the year 2000: Older vehicles without the necessary electronic control modules (ECMs) are exempt.

• Driveaway-towaway operations: Vehicles being transported as part of the shipment or for sale.

• Limited RODS drivers: Drivers who maintain RODS for no more than 8 days within a 30-day period.

Fleet managers should carefully evaluate which drivers and vehicles in their fleet require ELD compliance and confirm that all non-exempt vehicles use FMCSA-certified ELDs to avoid violations.

How to find the right ELD solution for your fleet

Choosing the right ELD solution is critical to ensuring compliance and improving operational efficiency. To avoid issues with underperforming devices, invest in a modern system that offers reliable performance, consistent updates to meet evolving regulations, and customer-driven enhancements.

As a complete Hours of Service solution, Samsara’s FMCSA-registered ELD ensures compliance while simplifying fleet management. Real-time data is transmitted to the ELD, providing accurate records of engine activity, duty status changes, and vehicle speed.

Samsara’s ELD solution is part of a comprehensive fleet management platform that offers:

• Real-time GPS tracking for live-to-the-second location visibility

• Driver coaching tools to improve safety and reduce risky behaviors

• Advanced integrations for streamlined tasks like IFTA reporting, vehicle inspections, and fuel usage monitoring

To learn more about how Samsara can help you remain compliant, explore Samsara’s ELD compliance system and get in touch with our team today.