Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs)

FAQ:

• What is the HoS rule and how does it relate to the ELD mandate?

  According to the HoS mandate, all commercial motor vehicle drivers are required to self-report their on-duty, off-duty and daily driving time. Use of either paper logs or electronic recording devices (ERDs) to record hours of service (HoS) is permitted. Drivers must keep a daily log of driving records.

  Canadian and US ELD mandates require replacing paper logs and existing Electronic Recording Devices (ERDs) with a regulation-compliant ELD.

• Who is required to comply and who is exempt from the ELD mandate?
  ELDs will be mandatory for federally regulated commercial vehicle operators in Canada which:

  • Weigh over 10,000 lbs
  • Travel over 160km from their home base, and/or travel across Provincial or State Lines
  • Carry nine or more passengers for profit
  • Have a hazardous material placard

  
  Commercial motor vehicles will be exempt if:

  • They are operating within a 160 km radius from their home terminal, which are not currently required to keep logbooks
  • They are subject to a rental agreement with terms being under 30 days
  • They are operating a vehicle manufactured before 2000

  
  
• My ELD solution is already compliant with the U.S. rule. Is it also compliant with the Canadian ELD standard?

  No. Requirements specified in the Canadian ELD standard are aligned with those in the U.S. rule for interoperability on both sides of the border. Additionally, both mandates require ELDs to synchronize with the vehicle’s engine, automatically capture driving time, have a mechanism to verify logs and have an on-screen display to show inspectors at roadside. However, the Canadian ELD standard includes additional requirements to comply with current HoS Regulations in Canada. Current ELDs will require a software update and certification by a third-party entity.

• How do drivers record logs or show their logs during an inspection?

  To record/edit the hours of service logs, a driver may use a portable device, a smartphone or any other wireless device–provided the device meets the ELD technical specifications. A portable ELD must be mounted in a fixed position during commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operation and visible to the driver from a normal seated driving position. The device must have an on-screen display to show inspectors at roadside. In Canada, there may be an option to email driver logs via an output file to an officer’s email to view during an inspection; this option is province-specific.

• Business Resources:
  • Visit Transport Canada for Canadian ELD Standard - Frequently Asked Questions
  • Download a Driver card here.