Prevent DOT Fines: Make Sure You Comply With ELD Requirements Using Our System

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has developed stringent measures as part of commercial vehicle operations for the safety of drivers and the public at large. One of them is the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) which most commercial vehicle operators must comply with in order to record the operating hours within an electronic device. Failure to comply can lead to stiff penalties, interruptions of services and in severe cases, orders to cease operations. In this article, we will show how utilizing our ELD system can help your company steer clear of these penalties and maintain DOT compliance at all times.

How ELD Compliance Benefits Your Business and Why You Should Advocate It

The rule on ELDs was initiated in a bid to replace the outdated paper logbooks with e-logs for improved precision with driver hours recording and governance within HOS regulation. The law regarding ELD implementation is not a discretionary item – most interstate commercial vehicles are legally bound to adhere to it. Non-adherence can result to the following:

• Impose DOT Fines: The failure to utilize a certified ELD or approved logging systems can give room to the FMCSA to extend fines for the said.
• Cessation Of Operations Order: Any vehicle found operating with non compliant Electronic Logging Device, can be placed Under out of service which causes downtimes and also causes loss of revenue.
• Risk of More Audits and Inspections: Non-compliant fleets are susceptible to a lot of highways audits and roadside inspection which are also timely and expensive.

In line with operational business, by adhering to ELD requirements, you eliminate the risk of fines and other disruptions in business processes.

How Our ELD System Guarantees Compliance

Our ELD system was created in a way that compliance is straightforward, therefore, giving you peace of mind. Here’s how it helps you stay in line with Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements:

1. Automatic Hours of Service Tracking (HOS)

This system automatically records speaking, driving time, rest period and duty status of drivers. As a result, your drivers will always be operating within the maximum HOS set by the law thus decreasing the chances of driver overdriving and the accidents that follow as a consequence.

2. Fleet Monitoring For Managers, Made Simple

What our system does is that it allows fleet managers to know the exact hours worked, where the driver is and his/her status. As such protecting against over violations in compliance and more importantly taking precautionary measures before problems arise. You get to ensure that the activity of the fleet is always within the set limitations even, when on a remote monitor.

3. Full FMCSA Standards Application

Fully in ELD system functionality with FMCSA regulations. It means that there is compliance with all requirements regarding the logger equipment, its usage and storage as well as data transferring and viewing methods which allow your files to be seen upon demand during the check. The system fits well with your fleet management applications and helps to turn your fleet operations into seamless expeditions.

4. Applicable for Drivers and Fleets Administrators

Understanding that not everyone who is using the ELD system is an expert in technology, our designers have included features in our ELD system that allow an average driver or fleet administrator to navigate the system with ease. Hours are easily logged in by the drivers and even fleet managers are able to check for compliance and make reports from anywhere in the world. Such easiness lowers human mistakes risk and also compliance is not complicated to control.

Consequences If ELD Regulations Are Not Followed

In case the ELD mandate is not complied with, there can be severe repercussions on the business. These are some of the risks as to why a certified ELD should be in good use.

1. Fines from Department of Transportation

Where a vehicle is being operated without an ELD, or with an unhallowed device, a deterrent amount capped at a $1000 per day, per truck, can be incurred. These sanctions can be extremely debilitating especially when applied to a big fleet.

2. Orders for placing out of service

Should DOT officers find a truck operating without an ELD compliant device, they may see it reasonable to place the vehicle out of service. In lay man’s terms, a truck is not permitted to operate until a compliant device is fitted which results in delays, missed deliveries, and loss of income or revenue to the business.

3. Heightened Possibility of being Audited.
   ELDS non-compliance increases the chances of being audited. In the course of an audit you will be required to present certain documents showing that your fleet is in compliance. It is known to be an expensive and lengthy process which interferes with the daily administrative activities.
   
4. Loss of Public Trust.

For a fleet that is not compliant, the effects are more adverse since the consequences are negative publicity and an indelible scar with a fleet operator’s business. Fleet operators who do not conform to ELD requirements are likely to lose business because they are viewed as unreliable and clients lose confidence in them.

The Advantages of our ELD System

Those who seek compliance and implement an ELD system should take satisfaction from the fact that such investment will also provide quite a few benefits to make the functioning of an entire fleet even better:

1. Enhanced Safety

With using our ELD system, trudging through a week in a truck will never be the same again since drivers will be compliant with HOS regulations and thus can look forward to less tiredness and a whole lot of accidents being averted.

2. Heightened Operational Efficiency

With our ELD system, there is a continuous monitoring facility which in turn will support bringing optimization to the routes being followed and schedules being adhered to, leading to cut/trimming down of downtimes and lifting up the fleet’s overall functioning – Bell’s yacht saying that better use of resources will be made, and drivers will be clocking full hours while on duty.

3. Lesser Admin Strain

As far as HOS accounting is concerned, there will be no handwritten logbook entries as our system will take that responsibility rendering HOS monitoring into a low admin- hassle. Thus, a lot of your team’s activities will go un-impeded and therefore, not interfere with their timelines and efforts.

4. Simplified Inspection Module

With the usage of our system, there will be no waiting period because of various reasons as logs would be presented through electronic logs and not manually written down on paper leading to a more expedient inspection process. This decreases the amount of time required for an observation and allows your fleet to remain out when it is most needed on the field.

5. Cost Savings

However, there will be cost savings over time in terms of the fines, penalties and the out of service orders that can lead to loss of revenue. Further, there are savings in the operational overhead as a result of the efficiency realised from using the ELD system.

How to Get Started with Our ELD System

Undoubtedly, it is a very easy and quick process to get started with the ELD system in our company’s fleet. Here’s how you can get up and running:

1. Install the Devices: The installation of the ELD devices will be done on your fleet vehicles with our assistance. Everything is done in an appropriate manner in order to allow for compliance.
2. Train Your Drivers and Managers: It is also good for the drivers and fleet managers to undergo training so that they can know how to operate the system after installation.
3. Monitor Compliance: Once installed, driver hours can be monitored and compliance to the ELD requirements of the FMCSA can be achieved. Our dashboard is real-time, thus enabling you to monitor the fleet.
4. Stay Updated: Within the software’s parameters, our system is constantly updated to meet all the ELD regulatory requirements hence placing the fleet in a position where they are compliant at all times.

Avoid Penalties and Stay in Compliance

In order to effectively manage and operate a safe and productive fleet, ELD compliance is non-negotiable. Avoiding excessive DOT fines, preventing accidents, and enhancing fleet performance can all be achieved by utilizing our ELD system. Non-compliance may hamper your operations, take action today and guarantee that your fleet will be conforming without any penalties.

Get in touch with us today to discover more ways to help your business maintain compliance with the DOT through our ELD system.