February 8, 2024

Everything CDL-A Drivers Need to Know About the FMCSA’s ELD Update

Since the transportation industry is constantly evolving, Carter Express takes our responsibility seriously to keep our drivers informed on new mandates, requirements, and industry news. Here’s a breakdown of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) most recent update and what it means for drivers.

Since the transportation industry is constantly evolving, Carter Express takes our responsibility seriously to keep our drivers informed on new mandates, requirements, and industry news. Here’s a breakdown of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) most recent update and what it means for drivers.

What is the update?

As of July 26, 2023, FMCSA removed four electronic logging devices (ELD) from the list of registered devices. GOLDEN ELD, ALL TRUCKERS ELD, PRIMELD, and SECURE ELD are now considered to be unapproved and unregistered logging devices. They were removed from the list of registered ELDs due to the companies’ failures to meet the minimum requirements for performance standards properly. The FMCSA is strongly urging carriers to address the compliance issues now in case the companies behind those ELDs don’t remedy the devices’ deficiencies in time.

How does this affect you?

So, what does this mean for truck drivers? The FMCSA will alert motor carriers who use any of the four now-unapproved ELDs. Carriers and their drivers will have to stop using the revoked ELDs and revert to paper logs or other software to record hours-of-service (HOS) data. Before September 23, 2023, the revoked ELDs must be replaced by compliant ELDs. Carriers have 60 days to make this change.

As carriers transition away from the usage of GOLDEN ELD, ALL TRUCKERS ELD, PRIMELD, and SECURE ELD, safety officials will be adjusting how they invoke and determine citing CDL-A drivers for ELD-related infractions.

Citing ELD infractions

Typically, safety officials can cite professional drivers for “no record of duty status” or “failing to use a registered ELD” if they aren’t using an ELD from the FMCSA’s Registered Devices list. However, before September 23, 2023, officials are encouraged not to cite drivers using GOLDEN ELD, ALL TRUCKERS ELD, PRIMELD, and SECURE ELD for either of these offenses and instead request to see paper logs, other logging safety, or the ELD display backup method.

This leniency will end on September 23, and carriers who continue to use revoked ELDs will be classified as operating without one, a major safety and compliance infraction. Safety officials will begin citing drivers with either of the two offenses above, and the driver will be placed out-of-service.

Amid industry changes, our commitment to our drivers and their safety remains. For more information on how to start your career behind a Carter wheel, connect with us today.

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