Note:  While we work hard to provide the latest news, it's best to always check with original sources to get the most up-to-date information.

What are Electronic Logging Devices?

Electronic logging devices, or ELDs, are equipment that automatically record driving time in commercial motor vehicles. According to Transport Canada, this equipment "helps make sure that drivers are compliant with hours of service regulations resulting in reduced fatigue for drivers, improved administrative efficiency and safer roads in Canada." Canada's ELD mandate came into force on January 1st, 2023.  The rule applies to all federally-regulated carriers and provincially-regulated carriers in some jurisdictions, that are already required to operate a logbook. Transport Canada's website provides information on testing and certification of ELDs along with updates on regulatory requirements that apply to road-side enforcement.

• Electronic Logging Devices (information in English)
• Dispositifs de consignation électronique (information in French)

 

November 23, 2022 - Federal regulators propose fines for Hours of Service, ELDs. Transport Canada is looking to establish a series of penalties under federal Hours of Service rules – with the most severe infractions generating fines as high as $2,000 for motor carriers and $1,000 for drivers. Several of the penalties involve rules around electronic logging devices (ELDs), which all federally regulated carriers will see enforced beginning Jan. 1. Read more of the trucknews.com article here.

February 23, 2023 - Provinces differ in ELD enforcement penalties. More than a month into the enforcement of the federal electronic logging device (ELD) mandate, TruckNews.com reached out to provinces and Transport Canada regarding penalties for non-compliance. Read what they said here.

 

Selecting a vendor

Make sure your ELD vendor and its device are certified.  You might want to check to see if they’re 3G or 4G. Your best bet is to select a provider that’s working with a 4G device, minimally, so you’re not going to have upgrade hardware in the short run.

Transport Canada has a list of devices that have been certified for use in Canada.  CAM Supplier member Samsara offers several accredited models that are worth checking out.

 

About commercial vehicle drivers' hours of service regulations

Click here to read the regulations on hours of service.  Available at that site in French as well.

 

Common ELD mistakes can be solved

In these early days of ELDs in Canada, we spoke with a couple of fleet safety compliance auditors to identify common mistakes made by truck drivers and fleets alike.

Several common themes and misconceptions emerged from the auditors’ compliance reviews:  

• Office staff believe they no longer need to audit or review drivers’ logs when using ELDs.

• Drivers new to ELDs operate the same way they did with paper logs — with adverse consequences.

• Operations staff and drivers alike don’t understand HoS rules.

• Drivers think they can make driving hours disappear by simply failing to log in to the ELD.

• Fleets mistakenly omit information from required fields.

• Maintenance staff often don’t log in to the ELD when moving trucks for service.

Maybe your fleet is in one of these boats, too? Then check out this trucknews.com article.