Truck Crash Reference

Electronic logging devices and duty-status records

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Contents
  1. Who must use an ELD
  2. Events, edits and interpretation
  3. Retention and malfunction records
  4. Related entries
  5. References
Electronic logging devices and duty-status records
Primary useHours-of-service records[1]
Routine retentionSix months for duty-status records and supporting documents[1]

An electronic logging device, or ELD, records duty-status information for drivers subject to the relevant federal requirements. It uses engine-related information and other recorded events to support hours-of-service records. ELD data is not the same thing as every electronic record in a truck, and it is not a complete record of how a collision happened.[1][2]

See: Hours of service for property-carrying drivers

Who must use an ELD

Section 395.8 generally requires an ELD for drivers required to keep records of duty status, with specified exceptions. These include qualifying short-term use of paper records, certain driveaway-towaway operations and vehicles manufactured before model year 2000. Short-haul provisions in Section 395.1 may also affect the recordkeeping requirement. A truck's presence on an interstate road alone does not establish an ELD obligation.[1][3]

Events, edits and interpretation

Section 395.26 specifies automatically recorded information at events such as changes in duty status and engine power events. It also requires intermediate records during movement. Section 395.30 governs submissions, proposed edits and annotations; edits must not obscure the original information. A review should examine the original and edited records, including unidentified driving, rather than relying only on a printed daily grid.[2][4]

Retention and malfunction records

Carriers must retain duty-status records and supporting documents for six months under Section 395.8. Section 395.22 also requires a backup copy of ELD records on a separate device and protection of driver privacy. Malfunctions have their own reporting and reconstruction provisions under Section 395.34. That routine retention period is not a statement that relevant evidence may be destroyed once litigation is reasonably anticipated.[1][5][6]

References

  1. abcde 49 CFR 395.8: Driver record of duty status. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, Office of the Federal Register and GPO. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-395.8. official. Checked . Source record
  2. ab 49 CFR 395.26: ELD data automatically recorded. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, Office of the Federal Register and GPO. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-395.26. official. Checked . Source record
  3. ^ 49 CFR 395.1: Scope and exceptions. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, Office of the Federal Register and GPO. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-395.1. official. Checked . Source record
  4. ^ 49 CFR 395.30: ELD record submissions, edits and annotations. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, Office of the Federal Register and GPO. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-395.30. official. Checked . Source record
  5. ^ 49 CFR 395.22: Motor carrier responsibilities for ELD use. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, Office of the Federal Register and GPO. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-395.22. official. Checked . Source record
  6. ^ 49 CFR 395.34: ELD malfunctions and data diagnostic events. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, Office of the Federal Register and GPO. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-395.34. official. Checked . Source record