An ELD, or Electronic Logging Device, is a piece of electronic hardware attached to a commercial motor vehicle's engine. It automatically records driving time and other important data to ensure compliance with hours-of- service (HOS) regulations for commercial drivers like truck and bus drivers. The data collected by an ELD includes driving hours, engine status, vehicle movement, location via GPS, miles driven, driver identification, and duty status changes. The main purpose of an ELD is to replace traditional paper logs, simplifying the recording and monitoring of driver hours to help prevent fatigue-related issues and ensure safety. The ELD connects directly to the vehicle's engine to capture information such as whether the engine is running, how far the vehicle has traveled, and how long it has been operating. ELDs are mandatory in the U.S. for most commercial vehicles since December 18, 2017, replacing older devices like Automatic On-Board Recording Devices (AOBRDs). In Canada, ELDs have also become mandatory with certified devices meeting government regulations. Benefits of ELDs include enhanced accuracy in recording driving hours, real-time visibility of driver status for fleet managers, easier compliance with regulations, reduced administrative burden, and increased road safety. The system also supports drivers' rights, allowing them to make notes or edits to their logs, which are tracked and must be approved by the driver. In summary, an ELD is a crucial technology used in the commercial trucking industry to automatically and accurately track driving time and ensure compliance with safety regulations.
