Canadian ELD Solutions for Hours of Service Management

Transport Canada issued the ELD mandate in an effort to improve safety for drivers and everyone else on the road. The mandate requires for most truckers to utilize electronic logging devices (ELDs) to capture engine data and hours of service (HOS) information. In short, the ability of ELDs to calculate the time drivers spend on the road is relied heavily upon by Transport Canada as a tool to ensure compliance and prevent violations of HOS regulations.

Canada ELD Mandate and Enforcement Deadline

Transport Canada published the ELD mandate in the Canada Gazette to inform commercial vehicle owners and fleet companies to switch to certified ELDs before the compliance date. The ELD was issued on June 13, 2019, and came into effect on June 12, 2021. The ELD mandate requires carriers to use only certified devices and not just any electronic log, so Canadian authorities have decided to implement a period of progressive enforcement for truckers to comply. ELD devices have to be approved by an accredited certification body and all drivers subject to the mandate must have one by the full enforcement deadline, which was set to June 12, 2022, but has now been delayed to January 1, 2023. Transport Canada has made it clear that any paper log or manual record of HOS will not be accepted come that date.

The mandate intends to enhance road safety by preventing driver fatigue. An electronic logging system will also provide additional benefits like vehicle security, and reduced paperwork. In fact, a feature released in the Canada Gazette estimated a total annual saving of $55 million on paperwork and manual labor. 

Flexible plans whether you have 1 or 500 vehicles

Definition of ELD

An ELD is an electronic logging system that automatically tracks vehicle data. The device is installed in the vehicle to automatically record driver HOS, mileage, driving status, etc. The data is prepared in the form of a report as per the standard of Transport Canada. The ELD allows the driver to edit and manage logs. Fleet companies, dispatchers, and Transport Canada officers can also access the data through a device with an HOS app or through the manager’s portal.

truck driver

As per reports published by Transport Canada, the ELD mandate will save billions of dollars by putting an end to tons of paperwork and manual labor. Here’s how carriers and fleets will be benefited from the use of electronic logbooks: 

Automated reports: HOS and RODS will be recorded automatically to create reports that can be accessed by drivers, fleet managers, and even Transport Canada officers. 

On-road driver support: E-log systems allows on-road communication between fleet managers and drivers to solve compliance issues faster. Fleet companies can guide drivers regarding unexpected vehicle breakdowns or faults in the engine. 

Reduced idling time: As the e-log device automatically records driving status and engine usage to prepare HOS reports, it helps keep an eye out for idling time and reduce it drastically. Vehicle owners and fleet managers can constantly monitor driver behavior to prevent unregistered vehicle usage. 

Save fuel: Electronic logbooks help prevent vehicles being used for personal needs or during off-duty hours. This brings down the fuel usage saving fleet management expenses. 

Faster dispatch: Dispatchers can locate the vehicle and check the status of the driver and their remaining driving hours to assign loads more efficiently. 

How to Choose a Reliable ELD 

When truckers are faced with the requirement to choose an ELD product by the deadline, some will rush into the decision without putting much thought into which ELD service is best suited for their operations. Independent truckers and fleet managers need to do their due diligence to make sure that their HOS ELD solution is in compliance and helps increase the profitability of their business.

Three Key Things to Look for in an ELD

Fleets can narrow down their search by looking for three key features in electronic logbooks:

  1. Positive reviews from real users. These are posted on various online platforms, but it is important to consult unbiased sources like the App Store for iOS-based services or Google Play Store for Android products.
  2. Ease of use. If drivers are frustrated with the ELD product, they won’t use it properly, risking the chance of not being compliant with the mandate.
  3. Efficient technical support. The service provider should offer customer support seven days a week. It should be live support as well, not automated responses. Calling the support line on the product’s website before committing to the logbook should help you find out how easy it is to get through. If it is difficult to reach a qualified person, chances are the truckers on the road won’t be able to reach anyone either when they need help, wasting valuable time.

HOS247 eld apps

Three Red Flags to Look Out For

Just as there are things to look for in an HOS ELD solution, there are also some red flags to be aware of:

  1. Additional hardware. Some ELD providers create their own tablets to connect with their device. The problem with that is that it more expensive since drivers cannot use their own smartphones or tablets. It is preferable to look for a bring your own device (BYOD) solution for flexibility and driver convenience. 
  2. Long-term contracts. A contract that is longer than one year might indicate that the provider is not confident in their product and wants to lock as many users into a commitment as possible. Stay away from three-year and five-year contracts; technology changes rapidly and you might want to keep your options open. 
  3. Hidden fees. When providers are vague about their pricing structure, fleet managers often get hit with hidden fees. If a solution is too “affordable” to be true, it is likely more expensive than it seems. Pricing should be 100% transparent, meaning there aren’t any additional fees for activation, installation or implementation.

HOS247 Is an Industry Leader Providing ELD Services

HOS247 has been providing electronic logbooks for American and Canadian truckers for years. Our solution is top-rated by our customers on app distribution platforms. Here are some benefits that fleets and owner-operators get from HOS247 ELD solutions:

  • No contracts.
  • Two-week trial with hassle-free money back guarantee.
  • GPS tracking to increase fleet visibility. 
  •  IFTA mileage tracking to eliminate administrative work and human error.
  •  Flexibility to use your own device or dedicated tablets. 
  •  Exceptional service from a top-rated support team that speaks English, Spanish, Polish, and Russian.
  • Driver-friendly and highly trusted.

HOS ELD Hardware

Who Must Comply with the Canadian ELD Mandate

Commercial trucks and buses that operate in extra-provincial operations are federally regulated by Transport Canada and thus must comply with the ELD rules. According to a report released by Transport Canada, nearly 157,500 commercial drivers will be affected by the new ELD mandate. 

Drivers that operate vehicles within their own province operate under provincial rules. Each province has the authority to decide whether or not they harmonize their legislation to include the use of electronic logbooks. 

The ELD mandate has also made it compulsory for carriers and fleet companies to use registered e-log devices to stay compliant. If a vehicle is already equipped with an electronic logbook that is not certified by an accredited body, then it has to be replaced with a certified one. Transport Canada has stated that all electronic logging devices should be certified by one of the approved third-party agencies. Manufacturers are not allowed to self-certify their products like in the United States.

Add options as you grow when you need them

ELD Solutions Must Support Trucking Exemptions

Some commercial truckers are exempt from using electronic logs. The Canadian ELD mandate has listed four major criteria of exemptions. Vehicles that come under any of these criteria will not be affected by the ELD ruled enforced by Transport Canada: 

Special permit: If the vehicle is operating under a special permit issued by the HOS director of the territory or the province. 

Statutory exemption: ELD rules do not apply to those vehicles that have a statutory exemption. 

Lease agreement: Vehicles that operate under any rental agreement that covers a period of less than 30 days are exempt from the ELD rules. 

Old model: Vehicle models that have a manufacture date before the year 2000 are not required to install e-log devices. This is because these older models are not compatible with the latest technology for the certified electronic logging systems.

truck on mountain road

HOS247 Has Extra Features Needed for Successful Trucking Operations

Standard ELD features are required by the mandate, but HOS247 goes above and beyond providing additional features that make trucking operations more efficient and successful. Some of those features include GPS fleet tracking, IFTA mileage reporting, and fault code detections, amongst others.

GPS fleet tracking

With accurate GPS tracking, dispatchers and fleet managers can increase fleet visibility and assign loads more efficiently and optimize route planning. 

IFTA mileage calculations

The HOS247 app calculates state mileage for truckers automatically. This reduces the risk of miscalculations from human error as well.

Fault code detection

Stay on top of vehicle maintenance issues. The HOS247 electronic logbook detects codes in real-time and notifies fleet managers through the portal. Get maintenance reminders when it is time for services, oil changes, etc. 

These are all integrated into the HOS247 ELD solution at no extra cost.

5/5
"Awesome. Easy to install and use. Top notch customer service! I recommend it to everyone.”

Abigail Freemantle
Schrader Co
5/5
“Great company to deal with. The support team is very responsive and competent. They provided a great deal of education for our company.”
Evgueni Stoupine
GMS Global Group
5/5
“Customer service is great. They helped me to set up everything and showed how to edit my logs. Thank you.”

Ilya Kulagin
Manuel Jenez
Owner-Operator
Free hardware options, no monthly fee options

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