ELD Compliance Date Upheld
by Federal Court of Appeals
ELD Mandate
The ELD Mandate is upon us, and millions of fleet vehicles are required to purchase an ELD solution. ELD/E-Logs are easy to use and provide simple navigation from job to job:
• Proof of HOS compliance
• Always know available driver time
• Quicker roadside inspections
• Fewer calls from dispatch
• Faster roadside assistance
• Send messages to office
• Eliminate errors due to paper logs
• Reduce time auditing log books
• Ensure DVIRs are completed
• Send messages to drivers
• Improve driver and public safety
• Dispatch directions for each job
• Improve driver productivity
It’s never fun when your business is forced to pay more because of regulations. The GOOD NEWS is that most fleets realize a significant ROI from implementing ELD that works in conjunction with our solution. In the FMCSA study, a reduction in the time drivers spent filling out paper logs more than paid for ELD costs alone.
After finding out if you’re required to comply and looking into costs, the next step is to choose an ELD solution. With the same minimum equipment that is required to comply with the ELD Mandate, you can also select a vendor that has many more bells and whistles at little or no additional cost. In addition to electronic logging and DVIR, some ELD solutions include GPS tracking, navigation, and driver messaging features. These features can greatly improve your fleet management and can multiply your ROI. If you’re required to buy the equipment anyway, choosing the right partner might make getting ELD a positive experience after all. The first question for fleet managers and owners is, “how much does ELD cost?”
The FMCSA, the division of the U.S. DOT that requires the ELD Mandate, commissioned a study to gauge the impact it would have on fleets nationwide. FMCSA estimates new ELD cost at around $1,000, but thankfully many vendors have dropped significantly since that study. (Our startup costs are considerably less.) Some vendors have options to pay all upfront, finance over time, or rent devices.
Hardware Choices
Basically, there are two types of solutions available:
Vehicle-installed ELDs
BRING YOUR OWN DEVICES (BYOD)
In case you are not familiar with BYOD, it refers to companies or employees providing their own tablets or smartphones and downloading an app to monitor hours of service (HOS). Whereas vehicle-installed ELD is an HOS-dedicated device that is tethered to a GPS device and is installed into the vehicle.
There are pros and cons to either option. Most importantly, you must ensure whichever option you choose will make your fleet compliant with the new regulations.
Advantages / Disadvantages
While BYOD options may appear to have a lower cost of entry, there are a few things you should consider. If your drivers already have smartphones, you can just download an app, right? Well, there is much more to it than that. Before selecting the BYOD option, make sure you consider these potential disadvantages:
It’s Not Actually Cheaper
Limited Device Choices
Not Designed For Harsh Environments
Distracted Driving Leads to Fines
Paying Employee’s Data Plan
Paying For Lost or Damaged Devices
Forgetting the Device
Easily Turned Off or Not Charged
On the other hand, Vehicle-installed ELD solutions help fleets become ELD compliant and receive many benefits beyond compliance. Fleets pay less in the long run with a vehicle-installed option vs. BYOD and receive more bang for their buck. So before selecting any option, make sure you consider these Vehicle-Installed ELD advantages:
More Value, Less Costs Overall
Data
Safety Lock
ELD GPS Tracking
of GPS Tracking
GPS is often a component of an ELD, so there is no need to buy another device to receive GPS tracking benefits.
Choose the Best ELD Technology For Your Business
With Affordable GPS tracking products, ELD hardware may appear to be similar between vendors, but the service offerings beyond that can vary considerably. Along with assessing the ELD hardware, it’s important to ensure the system and vendor meet other important requirements.
MEET FMCSA REGULATIONS. First, the system needs to meet the basic ELD functional needs and FMCSA requirements. Along with meeting these requirements, it is also important to look at the provider as a whole before choosing a system. How will they support you? Is onboarding and training available? Do they provide implementation guidance and resources?
EXPERIENCE EQUALS BETTER RESULTS. Before making a decision, you should also consider the provider’s experience level in HOS and ELD platforms. Going with a newer player is risky because they are less experienced and will likely be less reliable. Selecting a provider like Affordable GPS Tracking, with a proven track record in telematics and ELD technology will prevent challenges down the line, from either a compliance or software/hardware standpoint.
START YOUR JOURNEY TO ELD COMPLIANCE. The deadline to become ELD compliant is rapidly approaching, so it is crucial to research ELD options now. At Affordable GPS Tracking, we are a long-time reputable provider and we offer comprehensive solutions to receive maximum benefits.
