What is an Electronic Logging Device (ELD)

Electronic Logging Device (ELD) is a term used by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to describe a device that records a driver’s hours of service and all changes of duty status. The final rule published by the FMCSA on December 16, 2015 states that the ELD device must capture data elements both from the electric control module (ECM) of the vehicle as well as from the driver. Some of the required elements include geographical location, miles driven in a day, engine hours ECM, time in each duty status and available hours in the current day and duty cycle.

The FMCSA's goal of the ELD is to improve compliance with the hours of service (HOS), create efficiencies for drivers and commercial inspectors, and create a safer environment on the roads.