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Best ELD Devices for Trucking: Full Guide & Comparisons
Under hours of service (HOS) regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), truck drivers are restricted to a maximum of 14 hours of driving time per day when steering a commercial motor vehicle (CMV).
The FMCSA enforces these regulatory standards through electronic logging devices (ELDs) and the corresponding ELD mandate. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in significant fines, revoked commercial driver's licenses based on driving behavior, and hefty business insurance premium spikes.
The following guide explores the best ELDs for trucks to ensure fleets comply with the FMCSA’s full list of regulations, including the 14-hour rule. ELDs also offer several additional benefits, from improving operational workflow, driver safety, and communication to reducing overhead.
As with any aspect of fleet management, ELD devices contribute to greater efficiency, productivity, and compliance.
What Is an ELD?
An electronic logging device — or ELD — is a familiar fixture in the trucking industry and an important part of safe and responsible fleet management.
Considered an automatic onboard recording device (AOBRD), an ELD enables semi-truck drivers to comply with FMCSA regulations regarding safe trucking practices. Fleets install ELDs to better manage their trucks, drivers, and shipments.
Electronic logbooks do more than just link up with the fleet vehicle and record various data points.
Most ELDs include an interactive component that enables fleet managers, drivers, and safety officials to record and review information from their haul, including the Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIR) and records of duty status (RODS) data. The FMCSA’s website lists self-certified ELDs and any exemptions.
How Does an ELD Work?
Under the ELD rule established by the FMCSA, truckers must record several parameters that pertain to both the driver and the truck itself.
An ELD first synchronizes with the vehicle’s engine, recording the following key characteristics:
- Engine power status (on/off)
- Miles driven
- Engine hours
- Speed
- Fuel remaining
- Truck motion status
The ELD also records information about the driver, including duty status (on-duty or off-duty), driver behavior, and HOS. Drivers can annotate their entries by providing comments or suggestions. Safety officials review this information to ensure fleets promote safe working conditions for their employees and, by extension, other drivers on the road.
What Are the Top 6 ELDs for Trucks?
The best electronic logging devices are as valuable to fleets and individual fleet vehicles as semi-truck preventative maintenance is to any distributor.
Explore the top six ELDs for trucks available from ELD providers that simplify fleet management so you can focus on what matters most: your customers. For trucking companies and owner-operators in Atlanta, choosing a reliable ELD is essential for maintaining compliance and optimizing fleet management.
1. HOS247
Among the top ELDs available, HOS247 commands a reputation for reliability, accessibility, and efficiency. HOS247 is available on both Android and iOS devices and can be used across vehicle classes. HOS247’s ELD ecosystem consists of superior hardware and easily navigable software that connects via Bluetooth.
You can easily access your HOS247 dashboard via a smartphone or tablet. The online portal presents the same unified dashboard that reports fleet data in real time. Although expert help isn’t required to set up the HOS247 ELD system, representatives fluent in multiple languages are standing by to assist you at every step.
In addition to a robust body of positive customer reviews and a handy callback policy, HOS247 also eliminates contracts. After a two-week trial period, fleets can select from monthly and yearly subscription models. HOS247 also offers IFTA mileage calculations, vehicle diagnostics, and a one-year replacement warranty.
2. Samsara
Samsara also ranks high among ELD companies, offering both ELD support and full fleet management services. Download the Samsara ELD software to your Android or Apple device. Compatible with most semi-trucks on the road, Samsara’s ELD can be self-installed without overcoming a steep learning curve.
Samsara’s ELD software communicates via a Wi-Fi hotspot and data plan included in the system’s cost. The company covers its hardware with a five-year warranty and 24/7 support.
Cost varies by desired features, contract length, and fleet vehicle count, but Samsara also offers dash cams, security alerts, telematics reporting, and team driving capabilities.
3. Motive
ELDs powered through Motive — formerly KeepTruckin — also transfer haul data using a Wi-Fi hotspot or Bluetooth connection. The Vehicle Gateway application is easy to install on Apple and Android smartphones and streamlines compliance.
Real-time GPS tracking, a DRIVE risk score, and ELD compliance breach alerts keep fleet managers informed of their employees to optimize operations.
4. Verizon
A Verizon ELD connects to one of the nation’s largest cellular networks — boasting 99.9% system uptime — and integrates with the Verizon Connect fleet management platform.
Verizon provides access to several data points, including violation alerts, DVIRs, HOS status, and more. Fleet managers can also review the hours a driver logs, the haul time remaining, and forecasted maintenance intervals.
5. Garmin
One of the first names associated with GPS devices, Garmin also offers its eLog software to fleets. This one-time-purchase fleet management solution requires little setup time and effort, but that’s perhaps due to the lack of robust features other ELDs on our list offer.
Nonetheless, Garmin’s ELD can connect via Bluetooth or a USB port and is compatible with most trucks on the road today.
6. Blue Ink Technology
Owner-operators tend to gravitate toward Blue Ink Technology ELDs due to their one-time fee pricing model. Budgeting for a single fee — that can also be claimed as a tax deduction — can often be easier for owner-operators.
Blue Ink Technology ELDs connect via Bluetooth and offer a variety of features, including fuel receipt tracking, digital DVIRs, vehicle maintenance monitoring, and GPS tracking.
What To Consider When Choosing an ELD Solution
When selecting an ELD for trucks in your fleet, evaluate the available options while considering your fleet's specific challenges. What works for one fleet may not work for another.
Just like selecting the right ELD is crucial for compliance and efficiency, using high-quality industrial oil is essential for maintaining fleet performance and reducing engine wear.
Key features of the best ELDs for trucks include the following:
- Certification: ELDs must be certified to comply with FMCSA regulations.
- Compatibility: Ensure the ELD software you choose works with your Apple or Android devices.
- Customer support: The best ELDs offer 24/7 customer support to help troubleshoot any snafus.
- Hassle-free installation: The ELD software should be simple to install before you even start implementing it.
- Contract terms and conditions: The terms of the ELD software — including pricing — require careful review and comparison among your shortlist.
- Intuitive integration: After a small learning curve, the ELD software should be easy to navigate, from remaining compliant to integrating it with other key fleet management systems to ensuring the safety of your employees.
In some cases, your final decision may depend on the advanced features offered by a particular ELD company. For example, the option to simplify IFTA mileage calculations to streamline your fuel tax reporting protocols can be invaluable — even simple features like a touchscreen or voice command can improve the user experience.
Streamline Effective Fleet Management With Cadence
Here at Cadence, our mission centers on providing valuable product and distribution solutions that foster trusted relationships and keep America moving. Fleet management services — including our CPG Fleet Card — have long been one of our primary focuses.
Call us at 336-629-2061 today to speak with one of our friendly and knowledgeable staff members and discover how Cadence delivers value at every turn.
Sources:
Electronic Logging Devices | FMCSA
Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Compliance Solutions | Verizon Connect