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ELD Malfunction Guide- Matrack Incorporation

Written By Emma Pauline ELD Edited by matracki
ELD Malfunction Guide- Matrack Incorporation

ELD is an electronic device that can be installed within a vehicle’s OBD II, and can automatically record data in compliance with hours of service rules and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and DOT regulations.

After introducing the ELD mandate, one of the first steps that the FMCSA took was to update the CSA’s Safety Measurement System with 22 ELD-related violations and severity weightage. Three of the most serious violations that can lead to a driver being placed out-of-service are:

  1. Not having an ELD
  2. Not having an ELD that is FMCSA-certified
  3. Failing to note malfunction that requires the use of paper log

These violations can be avoided by equipping all commercial motor vehicles with ELD that are not just FMCSA-certified but also compliant. The list that FMCSA has for registered ELD manufacturers requires the device to be self-certified, which could mean that it is not necessarily compliant with its rules and regulation.

Another important thing while working with ELDs is to remember that it is a technology and is susceptible to certain malfunctions. According to FMCSA, using a malfunctioning ELD is a serious breach of its rules.

If you are using an ELD, this is what you need to do in case of malfunctions:

  1. As soon as a malfunction in the ELD is identified, a driver is required to intimate the motor carrier within 24 hours with a written notice.
  2. Recreate RODS (record of duty status) for the current 24-hour period, as well as for a period of past 7 (consecutive) days.
  3. The driver can record or retrieve the RODS from ELD. In case this is impossible, the driver is required to record the RODS on graph grid paper logs in compliance with 49 CFR 395.8.
  4. Keep recording RODS manually using graph grid paper logs until the ELD is repaired, replaced, or ready for compliance.
  5. Once the motor carrier is informed of the malfunction, the ELD must be serviced, repaired or replaced within 8 days of notification.
  6. Ensure that the driver is keeping a record of RODS in graph grid paper logs.

Even noted ELD vendors are subject to strict guidelines and timelines as laid down by the FMCSA. If the malfunction cannot be easily repaired, and ELD vendor may be removed from the list of registered manufacturers. However, once the vendor has fixed the fault, they can re-apply for FMCSA-certified status.

When ELD malfunctions, and it cannot be properly serviced, repaired or replaced, the motor carrier and driver are required to file for an extension. However, if the malfunction cannot be fixed at all, the motor carriers are at risk of completely replacing their ELD vendor with a new one. With Matrack Incorporation, you can avoid being in such a situation. Our ELD is not only FMCSA certified but also technologically advanced. Before it is introduced to the market, every device we make is checked thoroughly and repeatedly.

In the rare case, if any one of our devices does malfunction, we can assure you that we can resolve it within 5-8 days. We also have a malfunction guide in which drivers can provide the DOT officer in case of ELD malfunction.

You can download the Matrack ELD malfunction manual here.