ELD Mandate

Definition

The ELD Mandate is the FMCSA rule under 49 CFR §395.8 requiring every CMV driver subject to the federal HOS rules to record duty status through an electronic logging device. Effective dates phased in: December 2017 for AOBRDs and paper logs to switch to ELDs, December 2019 for full elimination of grandfathered AOBRDs. Limited exemptions remain - short-haul drivers under §395.1(e), drivers operating model year 2000 or older trucks, drive-away/tow-away operations, and pre-2000-engine vehicles. The ELD must be self-certified to the FMCSA technical specification and registered on the FMCSA ELD Approved List. Drivers must keep the ELD user manual, malfunction instructions, and the prior 8 days of records in the cab during operations.