ELD Compliance
ELD Compliance Hub
Everything carriers need to know about Electronic Logging Devices — from the mandate to picking the right provider.
What Is the ELD Mandate?
The ELD mandate is a federal rule from the FMCSA that requires most commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers to use an Electronic Logging Device to record their Hours of Service (HOS). It replaced paper logbooks with tamper-resistant digital records.
The rule was phased in starting December 2017 and became fully enforced on December 16, 2019. Since that date, any driver required to keep Records of Duty Status (RODS) must use a registered, self-certified ELD — no exceptions for grandfathered devices.
The goal is simple: reduce fatigue-related crashes by ensuring drivers stay within legal driving limits. ELDs automatically record engine hours, vehicle movement, miles driven, and location — making it much harder to falsify logs.
Who Needs an ELD?
Required
- ✓CMV drivers in interstate commerce
- ✓Drivers required to keep RODS for more than 8 days in a 30-day period
- ✓Carriers operating vehicles over 10,001 lbs GVWR
Exempt
- ✗Short-haul drivers (150 air-mile radius, return within 14 hrs)
- ✗Vehicles manufactured before model year 2000
- ✗Driveaway-towaway operations
- ✗Drivers who use paper RODS 8 days or fewer in a 30-day period
ELD Provider Comparison
Top 6 ELD providers compared — pricing, features, and integration status with motorcarrier.ai.
Motive(formerly KeepTruckin)
From $20/mo
Best for: Small fleets
- •GPS tracking
- •IFTA reporting
- •AI dashcam add-on
- •Driver app
Live integration with motorcarrier.ai
Samsara
From $27/mo
Best for: Mid-size fleets
- •HD dashcam built-in
- •Route optimization
- •Fuel reporting
- •Real-time alerts
Coming soon to motorcarrier.ai
Geotab
From $25/mo
Best for: Data & analytics
- •Open platform
- •Advanced telematics
- •Fleet analytics
- •EV support
Coming soon to motorcarrier.ai
Omnitracs
Enterprise pricing
Best for: Large fleets
- •Routing & dispatch
- •Macro-based workflows
- •Predictive analytics
- •Full TMS integration
Coming soon to motorcarrier.ai
BigRoad
From $10/mo
Best for: Budget-conscious
- •Simple HOS logging
- •DVIR
- •IFTA reporting
- •Load tracking
Coming soon to motorcarrier.ai
Trucker Path
Free basic plan
Best for: Owner-operators
- •Free ELD
- •Truck stop finder
- •Load board access
- •Weigh station alerts
Coming soon to motorcarrier.ai
Hours of Service (HOS) Basics
The five rules every CMV driver must know by heart.
11-Hour Driving Limit
You may drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
14-Hour On-Duty Limit
You cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty, following 10 consecutive hours off duty. Off-duty time does not extend the 14-hour window.
30-Minute Break
You must take a 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving without at least a 30-minute interruption.
60/70-Hour Limit
You cannot drive after 60 hours on duty in 7 consecutive days, or 70 hours in 8 consecutive days.
34-Hour Restart
You may restart your 60/70-hour clock by taking 34 or more consecutive hours off duty.
Common ELD Violations & How to Avoid Them
Form & Manner Errors
Incomplete or incorrectly formatted logs — missing location, odometer, or shipping document numbers.
How to avoid: Review your logs at the end of every shift. Most ELD apps flag missing fields automatically.
Driving Over HOS Limits
Exceeding the 11-hour driving or 14-hour on-duty limit.
How to avoid: Set alerts in your ELD for 30 minutes before each limit. Plan stops in advance.
Missing 30-Minute Break
Driving more than 8 hours without taking a qualifying break.
How to avoid: Use your ELD's break reminder. Schedule fuel stops or meal breaks around the 7-hour mark.
Unassigned Driving Time
Vehicle movement not assigned to a driver in the ELD system.
How to avoid: Always log in to your ELD before moving the truck. Assign yard moves to the correct driver.
Falsified Logs
Intentionally editing logs to hide HOS violations — a serious offense.
How to avoid: Never edit logs to mask violations. ELDs track original vs. edited entries, and auditors check both.
How motorcarrier.ai Integrates With Your ELD
Connect your ELD once and unlock automated compliance across the platform.
Automatic IFTA Mileage
We pull jurisdiction-level mileage from your ELD so you never have to log miles manually for quarterly IFTA filings.
Fleet Dashboard
See real-time vehicle locations, driver status, and HOS summaries in one dashboard — no switching between apps.
Compliance Monitoring
Get alerts before HOS violations happen, track DVIR completion, and keep audit-ready records automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an ELD if I only drive in one state?
If you operate a CMV in interstate commerce, yes. Intrastate-only drivers follow their state's rules — most states have adopted the federal ELD mandate.
What happens if my ELD malfunctions on the road?
You must note the malfunction on your daily log, switch to paper logs, and notify your carrier within 24 hours. You have 8 days to get the device repaired or replaced.
Can I use my phone as an ELD?
Yes, if the app is FMCSA-registered and self-certified. Apps like Trucker Path and BigRoad run on smartphones. However, a dedicated device is generally more reliable.
How does motorcarrier.ai use my ELD data?
We pull mileage by jurisdiction for automatic IFTA calculations, monitor HOS compliance, and populate your fleet dashboard — all read-only, we never modify your ELD logs.
Are there any ELD exemptions?
Yes. Short-haul drivers (150 air-mile radius, return to base within 14 hours), vehicles manufactured before model year 2000, and driveaway-towaway operations are exempt.
How much does a basic ELD setup cost?
Budget options like BigRoad start at $10/mo. Most small fleet operators spend $20–35/mo per truck including hardware lease. Free options exist but may lack features.
Ready to Connect Your ELD?
Link your ELD provider in the portal and start pulling mileage, HOS data, and fleet stats automatically.
Connect Your ELD in the Portal