ELD Violations- How To Avoid Them?
AndrewJanuary 2, 2023ELD

ELD Violations- How To Avoid Them?

If you are from the transport or fleet industry, you must know about ELD Rule and related regulations. In February 2016, FMCSA introduced the ELD mandate on the roads of the USA. Since then, every fleet owner has implemented ELDs to log the working hours of their drivers. 

ELD Rule has eligibility and exemption criteria for drivers and fleets. You must have an ELD in your vehicle and adhere to all the rules to avoid violations if you are eligible. Otherwise, you and your business may have to face fines, unnecessary liabilities, and loss of business due to a bad CSA score.

In this article, you will find a detailed guide about ELD rules. And ways to prevent ELD violations. 

Content

  1. ELD Rule – An Introduction
  2. Why Was The ELD Rule Needed? 
  3. What Is An Electronic Logging Device (ELD)?
  4. Data Captured By The ELD
  5. Who Need To Follow ELD Rule?
  6. Exemptions To The ELD Rule
  7. Common ELD Violations To Avoid
  8. Complete List Of ELD Violations
  9. Consequences Of ELD Violations
  10. ELD Violations That Impact CSA Scores 
  11. How To Avoid ELD Violations And Related Consequences?
  12. How Can Matrack Help You To Avoid ELD Violations? 
  13. Highlights
  14. Things You Need To Stay In Compliance
  15. Features Of Matrack ELD
  16. Customer Review

ELD Rule – An Introduction

In 2012, Congress enacted a bill called – “Moving ahead for progress in the 21st century.” It is commonly known as Map- 21. It suggested making the use of ELD compulsory. 

Due to differences in opinions, the bill could only see the hope of light in 2014. Finally, in 2015 the final rule was drafted and ready to implement. But it was not possible to enact the law suddenly. 

So the implementation was conducted in three different phases:- 

Since its introduction, the ELD rule has affected millions of drivers across North America. The ELD rule implies that every CMV (commercial motor vehicle) operator should switch from traditional logging systems to modern ELDs. 

The purpose of the law is:

 “[FMCSA] announced the adoption of a Final Rule that will improve roadway safety by employing technology to strengthen commercial truck and bus drivers’ compliance with hours-of-service regulations that prevent fatigue.”

Why Was The ELD Rule Needed? 

Before the ELD rule, drivers recorded driving hours manually on paper logs. This method was unreliable and tedious. Most drivers still prefer getting paid an hourly rate. Paper logs also made it difficult to authenticate their actual driving time and give accurate payments. Drivers could work overtime to increase their earnings, violating the HoS rules. Several studies found that a high percentage of road accidents involving trucks were caused due to driver fatigue. 

To avoid such scenarios, FMCSA and DoT decided to implement ELD rules. ELD records the working hours of the drivers accurately. Moreover, no one can forge data without authorization. 

According to FMCSA, the ELD rule helped to avoid 1,844 crashes and 562 injuries every year. 

What Is An Electronic Logging Device (ELD)?

An ELD or an electronic logging device connects to the engine and derives data directly from the truck. It is a reliable method of authentic data collection and helps stay compliant with the HoS rule. It provides an easy way for drivers to change duty status and share the data with the inspection team. 

Data Captured By The ELD

ELDs are directly plugged into the diagnostic port of the engine and hence derive data. 

Here are some data that it derives:

Vehicle

Driver

Who Need To Follow ELD Rule?

Drivers of commercial motor vehicles fall under the scope of the ELD rule. A commercial motor vehicle is used for business purposes and travels beyond a state.

Here are the following criteria you need to follow:

Exemptions To The ELD Rule

There are some exemptions to this rule too:

Common ELD Violations To Avoid

Here are some common ELD violations you should know to avoid unnecessary fines or obligations: 

One of the most common types of ELD violations is not using FMCSA-registered ELD. You can find several ELDs in the market. But not all of them are certified by the FMCSA. So if you choose any random device, you will have to face the consequences. 

If a truck driver cannot share the data from the device to the authorized enforcement officer in time, they will fall under the charge of no record of duty status. 

Drivers can face charges under section 395.34A1 if they are unable To detect the malfunction in the device and switch to paper logs at times. 

Additionally, they should provide a written statement to the owners regarding it. The enforcement officials can ask them to produce a copy of the documents. 

Lastly, the owners should replace any malfunctioning device within eight days. 

Every truck driver has to log their information into the hold before starting their journey. And log out after completing their work. If they cannot do so, they will have to face charges for no record of duty under section 398.8A. 

If the display screen of the ELD is not visible from the outside, the officials can charge you under section 395.20B for the wrong log. 

A truck driver will face charges under section 395.32B if they do not decline or assume unassigned driving time in their ELD. 

The driver will have to face an ELD violation if they do not mention any documents related to the movement of the cargo. For instance, invoices, trip reports, order numbers, bills of lading, etc.  

The driver must certify the accuracy of the information by providing their signature. 

Complete List Of ELD Violations

Here is a list of new ELD violations and their severity level

CitationDescriptionSeverity value
395.8A-ELDELD – No record of duty status (ELD Required)5
395.8A-NON-ELDNo record of duty status when one is required (ELD Not Required)5
395.8A1Not using the appropriate method to record hours of service5
395.11GFailing to provide supporting documents in the driver’s possession upon request7
395.20BThe ELD’s display screen cannot be viewed outside of the commercial motor vehicle5
395.22AOperating with a device that is not registered with FMCSA5
395.22GPortable ELD not mounted in a fixed position and visible to driver1
395.22H1Driver failing to maintain ELD user’s manual1
395.22H2Driver failing to maintain ELD instruction sheet1
395.22H3Driver failed to maintain instruction sheet for ELD malfunction reporting requirements1
395.22H4Driver failed to maintain supply of blank driver’s records of duty status graph-grids1
395.24C1IDriver failed to make annotations when applicable1
395.24C1IIDriver failed to manually add location description1
395.24C1IIIDriver failed to add file comment per safety officer’s request1
395.24C2IDriver failed to manually add CMV power unit number1
395.24C2IIDriver failed to manually add the trailer number1
395.24C2IIIDriver failed to manually add shipping document number1
395.28Driver failed to select/deselect or annotate a special driving category or exempt status1
395.30B1Driver failed to certify the accuracy of the information gathered by the ELD1
395.30CFailing to follow the prompts from the ELD when editing/adding missing information1
395.32BDriver failed to assume or decline unassigned driving time5
395.34A1Failing to note malfunction that requires use of paper log5

Consequences Of ELD Violations

The main motive of the ELD rule is to ensure the safety of people on the road. So if someone is violating it, they have to face the consequences.

Here is a brief glimpse of the consequences of ELD violations: 

ELD Violations That Impact CSA Scores 

ELD violations can lead to lower CSA scores. And low scores can disturb your fleet management. In fact, in the worst cases, the government can seize your business. 

Below are the scores with each ELD violation:

Incomplete or Wrong Log Violations

False Log Violations

EOBR Related violations 

Other Log/Form & Manner Violations

How To Avoid ELD Violations And Related Consequences?

As you can see from the above explanation, you need to avoid ELD violations at all costs. Otherwise, you cannot keep away from associated fines and penalties.

Here are some practical tips to avoid ELD violations:

You can find a variety of ELDs in the market. But only some of them are FMCSA registered. Before choosing any ELD solution, you should look into the details and ensure if it is certified by FMCSA or not. 

Even if the company itself claims that it is fully registered, you should read customer reviews. It will provide you with first-hand experience details, and you can make good decisions.

Before employing any driver, make sure to dig their quick insights with PSP reports. PSP stands for the pre-employment screening program. It records a brief history of the driver. It may not tell you the whole story but will help you make informed decisions. Choosing drivers with good ELD or HoS history means saving yourself from unnecessary liabilities. 

As you can see from the explanations above, most violations occur as the drivers are not aware of the ELD. Therefore, make sure to hold regular training programs to teach your employees how to use the device and stay in compliance with the rule. 

The training session will provide their information to use the device, upload supporting documents, share details with the official, and handle device malfunctions. 

Thorough driver log audits will help you detect any error or violation in your fleet. After identifying the concerned driver, contact them and conduct a proper training session. You can even arrange individual consultations to avoid any misunderstanding. 

The vehicle needs regular maintenance. So during the checkup, ensure that the truck has the necessary documents. Also, check if the device is working well. If not, instantly switch to paper logs and remove the error within eight days. 

Drivers have to carry the following documents to stay in compliance with the ELD rule:

How Can Matrack Help You To Avoid ELD Violations? 

As you can see from the above discussion, fleet owners should try their best to avoid ELD violations. And how can you do so? By selecting a reliable ELD solution. 

Matrack offers an affordable and advanced ELD solution. So whether you are an owner or operator of a small fleet or a big one, you can stay in compliance with the ELD rule with the Matrack ELD. 

Are you wondering how much you will have to spend to own an ELD? Well, if you choose Matrack, then absolutely nothing. How? 

Matrack offers free devices, and hence, you only have to pay for the subscription. On top of that, we guarantee the lowest monthly subscription available in the market, which is $14.95 only. You can avoid violations with real-time alerts and make sure your drivers stay in compliance with the HoS rules. 

Highlights

You can install the ELD by following three steps:-

Things You Need To Stay In Compliance

To stay in compliance with the ELD rule, you will require three things:

Plug the device into the vehicle diagnostic port, and it will automatically start recording the driving hours. 

Download the logbook app and connect it to the device via Bluetooth. 

The driver can change their duty status with their smartphones. 

Features Of Matrack ELD

The ELD automatically calculates HoS reports. It automatically records driving times, miles covered, and location to draft the report. 

You can easily store your logs through your smartphone or tablet. And hence avoid unnecessary chaos. 

Forget the day when you have to manually collect bills and then spend hours calculating the IFTA report. With the Matrack ELD, you can draft IFTA reports in minutes. 

With the Matrack ELD, you can create vehicle inspection reports in minutes. 

One of the notable features of the Matrack ELD is the voice-based status change feature. We understand that it is not feasible for all drivers to edit their status. With the help of our ELD logbook app, the driver can make status changes with their voice. 

You cannot avoid unfortunate events. Even after different measures, sometimes accidents happen. But you can prevent unnecessary liabilities with the help of Matrack ELD. 

With the help of Matrack, you can create effective accident reports, reduce compensation, and avoid false liability.  

You can remain 100% compliant with the ELD rule with the Bluetooth-integrated ELD system. 

Get all information about your driver in one place including, HoS, driver logs, violations, details. 

With the help of our Matrack ELD, you can stay updated about the location of different vehicles. You can even create geofence over the yard area to get real-time alerts when a truck enters or leaves. 

Customer Review

See what our customers have to say about us!

D. Wayne Patterson

“Converted to Matrack after years with another company based in NY that, for whatever reason, just became almost unresponsive and I’m happy now that I did. Matrack seems to be on the ball and customer service is very responsive.”

Rick R.

“We could do business with any GPS tracking platform we choose and have done business with most of the major players. None come close to the quality, value, and service offered by Matrack.”

Charles D.

“The software is extremely user-friendly and the entire format of Matrack is easier than any other ELD system I’ve ever used.”

By adhering to the above suggestions, you can avoid ELD violations and save yourself from unnecessary fines and penalties from low CSA scores.

On top of that, if your fleet has low CSA scores, the government could impose charges and suspend your fleet altogether. To avoid it, you can consider getting Matrack ELD. It is an affordable yet powerful solution that you have to try. 

For more details visit our website and talk to our experts. 

ELD Violations- How To Avoid Them?

Andrew

Andrew is a seasoned expert in the telematics and fleet tracking industry, with over 10 years of experience in the field. As an accomplished professional, Andrew has a deep understanding of the technology and systems involved in fleet tracking, and he has a proven track record of helping businesses optimize their fleet operations.

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Miles

Inside Sales Rep

Hi, my name is Miles. Please let me know if I can help you find the solution that best fits your needs.

miles@matrackinc.com
(925) 230-4530

I am here to help. Let me know if you have any questions.

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