Although the ELD mandate went into effective on December 18, 2017 but FMSCA’s regulation have pushed the deadline of implementing ELD for automatic on-board recording devices (AOBRD) users (fleets) until December 16, 2019.
When is the right time to switch?
The fleet owners should switch sooner than waiting until the last minute for a smoother transitioning process. Any new process will bring along some minor kicks and would require enough time to get thoroughly trained and address any issues. Switching before the deadline will also help fleet owners and drivers to understand the benefits of ELD (fewer accidents and violations) along with adjusting to the new system.
How to switch?
Switching is very easy process. Fleet owners just need to contact their AOBRD/ELD providers to request the change.
What changes will be reflected after switching?
The main difference between the AOBRD and ELD is the way driving event is recorded. An ELD automatically records all the time a vehicle was in motion as driving time that cannot be edited or changed to non-driving time. In addition, all the edits are recorded with annotations (reasons for editing the logs). To understand the difference more deeply, please refer to our previous blog on Difference between AOBRD and ELD.
Disclaimer- The rules and regulations are subject to change any time. Readers must verify with the authority, FMCSA / MTO and must not rely on the contents of this blog.
Whenever we come across term fleet tracking, we simply picture it as system providing the information about the location of the vehicle. Tracking technology is far more powerful than just tracking the vehicles. It can serve as an effective and affordable tool by fleet owners to excel in business and maximize profits.
Strong customer relationship– Provides real-time updates and ETA for deliveries to your customers. It can greatly reduce the stress and concerns of the shippers, receivers, and customers. Thus, increasing customer satisfaction.
Reduce fuel and maintenance cost–Idling, speeding, fast starts and stops can cost companies to spend a lot of money on fuel and maintenance. Tracking technology can help in monitoring vehicle performance 24/7 leading to improve vehicle life expectancy.
Easy Dispatching – Have real time access to equipment location on the portal instead of calling, texting or emailing the drivers. This increases operation efficiency, planning, and reduces cost.
Reduce Insurance Costs – Safe driving and safe vehicles are key to lower insurance costs. Implementing tracking system reduces the risk of freight theft and fast recoveries of the stolen cargo. In addition, monitoring driver behavior for hard brakes, speeding, sharp turns, etc. encourages driver to be more responsible behind the wheels.
IFTA – Tracking system calculates the fuel taxes in a fraction of the time. Saves you from all the time consuming and error-prone manual process.
Fleet tracking system is a great investment for all sizes of fleets. It provides great ROI in addition to all the benefits listed above. Follow the link: truck-tracking to learn more about our GPS tracking devices.
Disclaimer- The rules and regulations are subject to change any time. Readers must verify with the authority, FMCSA / MTO and must not rely on the contents of this blog.
10 consecutive off hours can be split into two rest periods of 8 and 2 hours according to the split sleeper berth rule.
Purpose
Provides flexibility to the drivers in regards to their shift hours.
Requirements
No more than 2 rest periods.
At least 8 consecutive hours in sleep.
2 consecutive off hours
These two hours can be part of sleeper berth, off duty or both.
Note: The rest period can be taken in any order.
Example: Explaining the split sleep in US:
After the first rest period, 2 consecutive hours off duty (6:00 AM to 8:00 AM), the driver will only get his rest of the unused hours back from his shift hours that started at 12:00 AM. So, in this scenario the driver will have 6 hours of drive time and 8 hours of on-duty.
After completing the second rest period, 8 consecutive hours of sleeper berth (4:00 PM to 12:00 PM), the drivers will not get their full 11/14 hours of drive/on-duty respectively but instead their shift will now start from the end of his first break (8:00 AM). New shift start time – 8:00 AM, 6 hours of driving (between two rest periods) have already used from 11 hours of driving. So, the available driving hours will be 5 hours.
Calculation of available hours after having both rest period:
Driving = (Total drive hours) – (driving hours from the start of new shift)
(11 hours) – (6 hours)
5 hours
On Duty = (Total on-duty hours) – (on-duty hours used from the start of the new shift)
(14 hours) – (6 hours)
8 hours
In Canada
Split sleep in Canada is same as in US. The only difference is that the total of the elapsed times before and after each sleeper berth period should not be more than16 hours.
Disclaimer- The rules and regulations are subject to change any time. Readers must verify with the authority, FMCSA / MTO and must not rely on the contents of this blog.
To start before 8 hours are completed of on-duty from last off duty
To start before 8 hours are completed of on-duty from last 30 mins break
Example 1:
In this example, the driver was on-duty more than 8 hours by a minute. He is in violation for not taking consecutive 30 mins break. He needs to take break within/after 8 hours of on-duty.
Example 2: In this example, though the driver took the break within 8 hours of on-duty, but that break is of 29 mins not 30 mins. The driver is in violation now for missing the 30 mins break after 8 hours of on-duty.
Example 3: In this example, the driver did take 30 mins break but the 30 mins break rule starts again after the recent 30 mins break. The driver is in violation for being on-duty for more than 8 hours after his recent 30 mins break.
Our ELD, provides proper notification for next break which is every 8 hours of on-duty and gives warnings one hour before occurrence of any such violation.
Disclaimer- The rules and regulations are subject to change any time. Readers must verify with the authority, FMCSA / MTO and must not rely on the contents of this blog.
Short haul drivers are given special exemption allowing them to remain on-duty for 16 hours instead of 14 hours by FMCSA. Though the allowed driving hours a day remain 11 hours. The exemption is granted to decrease HOS violation as these drivers might speed or drive recklessly in order to reach their homes. The rule ensures that the drivers gets a chance to reach their home safely instead of spending their day/night hours in sleeper berth or hotel.
Must use 16-hour exemption once every 7 consecutive days
Must take 34 consecutive hours off to restart a 7/8 days cycle
Must be released from duty within 16 hours of on –duty
At least 10 consecutive off hours
Note: This exemption does not apply to drivers who qualifies for non – CDL short haul exemption.
For more details on non – CDL short haul exemption please refer to our previous blog on short haul.
Disclaimer- The rules and regulations are subject to change any time. Readers must verify with the authority, FMCSA / MTO and must not rely on the contents of this blog.
A CDL driver who operates within 100 miles radius of reporting work location are exempted from paper log book and e-log
Conditions
11 hours of driving
12 hours of on-duty
Must return to work location everyday
At least 10 consecutive hours off-duty
No record of duty status
150-mile exception (Non – CDL short haul exception)
A Non-CDL driver who operates within 150 miles radius of reporting work location. Under this exception 14 hour driving window is extended to 16 hours for 2 days in 7 consecutive days. Also, the drivers who qualifies for non-CDL short haul exemption are exempt from the 30 min break rule.
Conditions
Must return to work location everyday
11 hours of driving
At least 10 consecutive hours off-duty
No drive after 14thhour of on duty on five days of any period of seven consecutive days
No drive after the 16thhour of coming on duty on two days of any period of seven consecutive days
Documentation to be maintained by motor carriers for 6 months
The time the driver reports for duty each day
The total number of hours the driver is on duty each day
The time the driver is released from duty each day
The total time for the preceding 7 day for drivers used for the first time or intermittently.
Disclaimer- The rules and regulations are subject to change any time. Readers must verify with the authority, FMCSA / MTO and must not rely on the contents of this blog.
Electronic logging devices (ELD) record driver’s hours of service (HOS) directly from the truck’s ECM. ELD’s have proved to be a major break through for the transportation industry in North America after mandate enforced by FMCSA since December 2017
Expedited enforcement of ELD in Canada
Currently, the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA) is finalizing the technical standards of ELDs. There is a good chance that the rule will be published by the end of 2019 for its mandate starting from 2020 with an extended compliance date in 2022. The ELD mandate in Canada is supposedly to be mirrored with the ELD mandate in the U.S. with ELD already mandated in the U.S., majority of fleet companies in Canada have started preparing for the ELD mandate and using them in advance to allow a smooth transition from paper logs to electronic logging devices.
Benefits for Fleet and drivers
More Safety– It is one of the main purposes of using ELD’s. Drivers are constantly reminded about their rest breaks. Hence, fatigue is reduced, and drivers are less prone to accidents. Thus, increases fleet’s overall safety.
Replacement of paper logs– Using Electronic logging devices allows drivers to be hassle free as ELD’s record automatic readings and data can be stored electronically. This saves driver’s time and money.
Compliance with regulations- By using ELD’s drivers remain in constant compliance with the U.S and Canada regulations. The ELD’s make sure the drivers stay in compliance by giving them a foretime warnings and indications of their violations.
Reduction of Errors and Tampering of driver’s hours of service (HOS)- ELD usage has reduced the violations and editing of annotations. Only limited entries are editable, the mistakes by the drivers can be corrected by both the authorized carrier staff and driver with an annotation (note) explaining the reason for their editing. Also, the drivers are not permitted to tamper with the drive time and hours available for driving.
Our ELD, is fully compliant with both Canadian and U.S regulations with additional features such as driver behaviour. Easy to use, automatic switching to US or Canadian regulation when crossing the border, automatic switching from driving to on-duty during traffic. We offer wide range of integrated solutions for transportation industries such as Dispatch Software, Border Crossing, GPS Tracking.
Disclaimer- The rules and regulations are subject to change any time. Readers must verify with the authority, FMCSA / MTO and must not rely on the contents of this blog.
16 hour rule states that a Work shift can be extended to 16 hours
To understand this rule, first we need to know the meaning of the following terms: –
Elapsed time:
Elapsed time is simply the time between two points. As an example, in below graph, elapsed time between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM is 3 hours
Work shift:
Work shift is the time (Elapsed time) between 2 off-duty periods of at-least 8 consecutive hours
Work shift rules–
Work shift starts from the last period of at-least 8 consecutive hours of off-duty or sleeper berth
Work shift cannot be more than 16 hours. In other words, you must not be on-duty after the 16th hour of Work shift.
16 hours (Work shift) includes on-duty, driving and off-duty hours. These off-duty hours are not part of the mandatory 8 consecutive off hours.
2 hours out of 16 hours of work shift should be accounted as sleeper berth and/or off duty
Maximum driving allowed is 13 hours within a Work shift
Maximum on-duty allowed is 14 hours within a Work shift
At least 8 consecutive off hours must be taken after 16 hours Work shift.
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Example describing the work shift (16 hours)
In the following example: –
After having off-duty/sleeper berth for consecutive 10 hours, a driver came on-duty at 12:00 AM for an hour and started driving at 1:00 AM
After driving for 3 hours, he went off-duty for 30 mins at 4:00 AM and started driving again at 4:30 AM
At 6:30 AM, he went off -duty again for 30 mins followed by 4 hours of driving from 7:00 AM
1 hour of off-duty was taken from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Now, the shift was extended to 16 hours from 14 hours and the driver was on-duty till 4:00 PM instead of 2:00 PM
The 30 mins and 1 hour off-duty periods are not calculated as part of 14-hours shift but are calculated as a part of 2 hours in the 16 hours Work shift. During this whole elapsed time period (12:00 AM to 4:00 PM), the driver still had maximum 14 hours for on-duty and 13 hours for driving
Disclaimer- The rules and regulations are subject to change any time. Readers must verify with the authority, FMCSA / MTO and must not rely on the contents of this blog.
Considering the safety of the drivers during the extreme weather conditions such as snow, fog, sleet, etc., a relief is provided to the drivers by the government in the form of two additional hours for Driving in the U.S. The driver is able to drive for 13 hours instead of 11 hours by choosing this option. Adverse Driving should not be used for normal traffic congestion. This specialized driving option is elaborated further by FMCSA
Conditions:
No Driving more than 13 hours
No Driving after the 14th hour of On Duty
14 hours of On Duty maximum allowed
Must comply with 30 mins Break rule
DEFERRAL
In Canada, as per O. Reg. 555/06, there is an option of Deferral for Off-Duty status. In this scenario, drivers get additional 2 hours for Driving and On-Duty in a day. The driver can be On-Duty for 16 hours and drive for 15 hours. In other words, deferring the required Off Duty of 10 hours by 2 hours. Hence, Off Duty will be for 8 hours in a day.
Conditions–
Maximum 15 hours of Driving in a day
Maximum 16 hours of On Duty in a day
No Driving after the 16th hour of On Duty
At least 20 hours of Off-Duty in 2 days
No Driving more than 26 hours in 2 days
No On-Duty more than 28 hours in 2 days
No split sleep in 2 days*
*Remark: In this example, 2 days means the current deferral day and the following day.
Note– 10 hours of consecutive Off Duty/ Sleeper Berth is required before the start of next shift. Also, the additional two hours of Adverse or Deferral Driving does not increase the allowed cycle hours. As the Driving conditions exception only applies to 11 or 13 hour rule of Driving and 14 hours rule of On Duty (Canadian Hours of Service). The requirement of cycle must be met by the end of the next day.
Our ELD, provides an option to choose Adverse Driving and Deferral whenever required by the driver. The Driving hours get updated automatically and are displayed for the drivers on the screen. In the Officer view, these chosen options are also visible for the inspecting officers
Disclaimer- The rules and regulations are subject to change any time. Readers must verify with the authority, FMCSA / MTO and must not rely on the contents of this blog.
All drivers must prepare a driver vehicle inspection report (DVIR) for each vehicle operated by them and must submit these reports as per FMCSA. Submission of these reports does not relieve the Motor Carrier company from any effects on the safety of the Motor vehicle. All drivers must certify their inspection reports. Failure to certify may result in citations. It is also the responsibility of the Motor Carrier to retain the original copies of the reports and certifications for at least 3 months from the date of creation of the report.
Pre-Trip inspection
The daily vehicle inspection that the drivers do before they start their trip is called Pre- trip inspection or full circle check. It is a requirement by the highway traffic Act. In this inspection drivers outline any defects that he/she comes across. When there is a minor defect driver must record the defect and report to the operator. In case of a major defect, drivers are not permitted to drive until it is repaired.
Post- trip inspection
All drivers must make sure that the vehicle is in good condition for the next driver. This is called post trip inspection. In this inspection as well, drivers are required to record major and minor defects.
Inspection every 24 hours
Drivers are required to complete a vehicle inspection every 24-hour period and make sure that the vehicle is in good condition throughout the trip. Drivers must detect any major and minor defects and submit the report to their Motor Carrier on return.
Inspected vehicle’s license plate number and jurisdiction
The drivers must enter the plate number and plate jurisdiction of the vehicle. They might be cited if this information is not displayed on the DVIR. Motor Carriers must record all the vehicle information in their system and must make sure that this information is well displayed in the inspection reports submitted by their drivers.
Operator’s name
It is crucial that the driver’s name should be displayed in the DVIR before it is submitted. It allows the authority to know as to who operated the motor vehicle and certified the DVIR. Our ELD provides individual login credential for each driver along with synchronization between E-log and DVIR applications. This helps drivers to have their name and Motor Carrier company information displayed automatically on each DVIR.
Date, time, location where the inspection was conducted
It is important that this information is accurately entered in the inspection report as it depicts where and when the inspection was done. Drivers can get citations if any of this information is missing. If using our DVIR app this information is automatically generated but also allows the drivers to enter the information manually.
Name of the person who conducted the inspection
If the person who conducted the inspection is different than the driver then the name of that person should be printed on the inspection report. Still, the driver needs to sign the daily inspection report before they start driving the commercial motor vehicle or drawing the trailer.
Odometer of the vehicle
If the driver is operating a commercial motor vehicle, odometer reading of the vehicle must be included in the daily inspection report.
Statement of satisfactory condition of vehicle
If no major or minor defects are found in the motor vehicle during daily inspection report then the driver must sign the statement stating that no major or minor defects were found during inspection. To sum up, the condition of vehicle is satisfactory to drive.
Statement that the vehicle is inspected in accordance with the provincial/ federal regulations
A statement must be signed by the person who conducted the daily inspection stating that the inspection is done in line with the provincial/federal regulations.
Disclaimer- The rules and regulations are subject to change any time. Readers must verify with the authority, FMCSA/MTO and must not rely on the contents of this blog.
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