ELD Mandate
A federal rule requiring most commercial motor vehicle drivers to use FMCSA-registered electronic logging devices to record hours of service instead of paper logs.
What Is the ELD Mandate
The ELD mandate is a federal regulation requiring most commercial motor vehicle drivers to use electronic logging devices to record their hours of service.[^1] The rule replaced paper logbooks with digital records that automatically track driving time by connecting to the vehicle's engine.
The FMCSA finalized the ELD rule in December 2015.[^1] The mandate rolled out in phases, with full compliance required by December 16, 2019, when all Automatic On-Board Recording Devices (AOBRDs) had to be replaced with compliant ELDs.[^2]
The mandate applies to most CMV drivers required to keep records of duty status under 49 CFR Part 395.[^1] If you need a logbook, you almost certainly need an ELD. For help choosing the right device, see our ELD buying guide and ELD comparison page.
Who Must Comply
The ELD mandate covers most drivers of commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce who are required to prepare hours of service records of duty status. This includes:
- For-hire carriers with vehicles over 10,001 pounds GVWR
- Private carriers with vehicles over 10,001 pounds GVWR
- Carriers transporting hazardous materials requiring placards
- Carriers transporting passengers for compensation (8+ passengers including driver)
In practical terms, if you are an owner operator or fleet driver hauling freight across state lines and keeping a logbook, you need an ELD.
Exemptions
Not every CMV driver needs an ELD. The FMCSA carved out several exemptions:
Pre-2000 vehicles. Drivers of commercial vehicles manufactured before model year 2000 can continue using paper logs. This exemption recognizes that older engines may lack the diagnostic ports needed for ELD connection.
Short-haul drivers. Drivers operating within 150 air miles of their reporting location who return daily and meet the short-haul recordkeeping exception under 49 CFR 395.1(e)(1) are exempt from ELD requirements.
Driveaway-towaway. Operators where the vehicle being driven is itself the commodity being delivered, such as driving a newly purchased truck from a dealer to the buyer.
Timecard exception. Drivers who are not required to keep records of duty status more than 8 days within any 30-day period.
Agricultural operations. Certain agricultural commodity transporters operating within 150 air miles during planting and harvesting seasons.
If you are unsure whether an exemption applies to your operation, the safe assumption is that you need an ELD. The cost of compliance is far less than the penalties for non-compliance.
Compliance Requirements
Registered Devices Only
Your ELD must appear on the FMCSA's registered device list.[^3] The FMCSA maintains this list at eld.fmcsa.dot.gov/List. Using an unregistered device is treated the same as having no ELD during an inspection.
ELD registration is self-certified by the manufacturer, meaning the manufacturer attests that their device meets the technical specifications in the regulation. The FMCSA does not independently test or approve devices.
Technical Requirements
A compliant ELD must:
- Connect to the vehicle engine to automatically capture engine power status, vehicle motion, miles driven, and engine hours
- Record the driver's duty status with date, time, and location
- Allow the driver to make manual annotations and edits with audit trail
- Support data transfer to law enforcement via Bluetooth, USB, or email
- Retain data for the current 24-hour period plus the previous 7 consecutive days
Data Transfer During Inspections
During a roadside inspection, you must be able to display your logs on the ELD screen and transfer data to the officer electronically. Accepted transfer methods include Bluetooth, USB 2.0, and email (webservice). Practice the data transfer process before you need it at a weigh station.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Operating without a required ELD carries real consequences:
Out-of-service orders. An inspection revealing no ELD (when required) results in an out-of-service order. You cannot drive until the violation is resolved, meaning lost revenue and potential load delivery failures.
Fines. Financial penalties vary by jurisdiction but range from $1,000 to $16,000 per violation.
CSA score impact. ELD violations affect your HOS Compliance BASIC score. Accumulated violations can trigger FMCSA warning letters and targeted investigations.
Malfunction Procedures
When your ELD malfunctions, you have specific obligations:
- Note the malfunction and its nature
- Reconstruct your driving records on paper or a printout for the current day and previous 7 days
- Continue using paper logs until the ELD is repaired
- Report the malfunction to your carrier within 24 hours
- Get the ELD repaired or replaced within 8 days
Carry paper log supplies in your truck at all times. ELD malfunctions at an inconvenient time are not uncommon, and having backup materials avoids compliance issues.
For detailed compliance information including verification procedures and exemption details, see our ELD mandate compliance guide. Compare ELD devices on our comparison page to find the right solution for your operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is exempt from the ELD mandate?
- Several categories of drivers are exempt from the ELD mandate. Drivers of vehicles manufactured before model year 2000. Drivers operating under the short-haul exemption within 150 air miles who return to their reporting location daily. Driveaway-towaway operators where the vehicle being driven is the commodity being delivered. Drivers operating under the timecard exception who do not have to keep records of duty status more than 8 days in any 30-day period. Check the FMCSA website for the complete list of exemptions.
- What are the penalties for not having an ELD?
- Operating without a required ELD can result in an out-of-service order at a roadside inspection, meaning you cannot drive until the violation is corrected. Fines vary by state but can range from $1,000 to $16,000 per violation. Repeated violations affect your CSA scores and can trigger FMCSA investigations. The financial impact extends beyond fines -- being placed out of service means lost revenue from the load you cannot deliver.
- How do I verify my ELD is FMCSA-registered?
- Check the FMCSA's registered ELD device list at eld.fmcsa.dot.gov/List. Search by device name or manufacturer. Only devices appearing on this list are accepted during roadside inspections. The registration is self-certified by the manufacturer, not independently tested by the FMCSA. The list is updated regularly as new devices are added and non-compliant devices are removed.
- Can I use a smartphone app as my ELD?
- Some FMCSA-registered ELD solutions use smartphone apps as the driver interface, paired with a separate hardware device that connects to the vehicle diagnostic port. The app alone is not sufficient. A compliant ELD must have hardware that connects to the engine to automatically record vehicle movement, engine hours, and miles driven. The smartphone or tablet serves as the display and driver interface, but the engine-connected hardware component is mandatory.
Sources & References (3)
FMCSA Final Rule: Electronic Logging Devices and Hours of Service Supporting Documents (49 CFR Part 395 Subpart B)
fmcsa.dot.gov ↗