Drivers should take some time to look around before settling on their ELD system. When the Canadian mandate comes into effect next year, the truck driver log book will be a tool for daily use and it is sure to make a difference for your business. Compliance with Canadian truck driver log book rules will be the priority, but the ELD law also provides a chance for trucking businesses to upgrade their fleets and gain value. In this article, we will look at some ways to find an electronic logbook solution that does both.
HOS247 Is a Reliable Provider to Comply with HOS Rules
At HOS247, we have assembled a team dedicated to helping professionals in the trucking industry achieve their business goals. Our truck driver log is known for some specific advantages. We invite you to take a look at some of them:
- Top-rated customer support. High-quality technical assistance is a staple of our services. Our team is available to help manage your truck driver log whenever needed. If something happens during a call, do not worry; our policy is to call back and make sure your issue is solved. Our staff is available Monday through Sunday and speaks four languages: English, Spanish, Russian, and Polish.
- Easy-to-use elog. Drivers, owner-operators, and fleet managers have highly rated our log app for its straightforward and intuitive platform. You can check our ratings and fellow truckers’ comments on the App Store and on Google Play.
- Dependable hardware. The equipment can be installed in minutes and it is of the highest quality. Link the device to your tablet or smartphone using Bluetooth, and the system is ready to go.
- Flexible plans and trial period. No contracts, no pressure. We let the quality of our logbook speak for itself, so there is no need to lock customers into long contracts. You can also take two weeks to try out HOS247, explore the features and get a sense of the logbook’s tools. If you decide it is not for you, you may return it and get a refund. No questions asked.
- Extra features. The HOS247’s logbook can be enhanced with GPS Tracking, IFTA calculations, fault code detection, idling reporting, and more. These tools enable complete visibility of the fleet and help you better organize trucking operations.
How Are Elogs Different From Paper Logs?
For a long time, hours of service records were kept on paper. Today, technology has come a long way to make this critical task more manageable for the trucking sector by introducing the use of the electronic truck driver log book. For both paper and electronic logs, the driver status can be seen on a grid that has one box for every hour in a day and four sections for every different driver status: off-duty, sleeper berth (if a berth is used), driving, or on-duty. Note that this truck driver log has to be updated to the last status change at all times.
When using a paper log, this data has to be recorded by hand, but it will update automatically with an electronic logbook, as the device is connected to the engine. Even though Transport Canada will enforce the use of electronic logbooks come January 1, 2023, it is important for drivers to know how to fill out truck driver log book grids on paper in case of an ELD malfunction.
Vehicles, drivers and carriers can be exempt from using electronic logbooks according to the criteria set by Transport Canada, including:
- Vehicles operating on a special permit issued by a territorial or provincial director.
- Carriers granted a statutory exemption.
- Commercial vehicles operating under a rental agreement for a period under 30-days.
- Vehicle models manufactured before the year 2000.
- Drivers operating within a radius of 160 km from its home terminal (these drivers are not required to maintain either kind of logbook).
Are Elog Apps Compliant with the ELD Mandate?
Canadian truck driver log book rules state that an electronic truck driver log book is an engine-connected, tamper-resistant device that directly records HOS data. The engine sends information using the hardware piece, and the log app receives and displays it on a screen. However, the app only acts as the receptor part of the system, it cannot comply with the standard on its own. When combined with the engine hardware, the communication loop between the truck and the mobile screen is complete.
That said, both the mobile elog app and the device must be certified by a validated entity in Canada. There will be no fines or penalties this year for not being compliant, as it is still part of the progressive rollout period. The Canadian ELD law will apply in full as of January 1st, 2023.
Should Truckers Choose Android or iOS Apps?
For some time now there has been a heated debate about which apps are best: Android or iOS? This is especially true for truck driver log book software, and the answer depends on case-specific situations. Each driver should choose the operating system they are most comfortable with. A dependable truck driver log should be available for both operating systems to accommodate the driver’s preference. Fortunately, the HOS247 app runs smoothly on both its Android and iOS versions so drivers are free to use whichever is compatible with the tablet or smartphone of their choice.
Additional Features of an Elog App
An ELD system can make operations more efficient and plan trucking activities in great detail. It is well worth the time to find a truck driver log solution with extra features such as:
- GPS fleet tracking. A GPS can add value to your elog solution and help increase profitability. This is a tool that comes in handy for fleet managers to remain informed on the location of vehicles in real time.
- IFTA calculations. HOS247’s feature for tax reporting can automatically calculate miles driven per jurisdiction. Reports can be seen in detail, and summaries can be filtered by date or vehicle.
- Automated DVIRs. With this feature users can add, edit and review their inspection reports easily to facilitate maintenance and prevent vehicle breakdowns.
- Fault code detection. Alerts will let drivers know if there is an issue that could affect the operation of the vehicle.
ELD Compliance Timeline
The mandate states that all commercial motor vehicle drivers will be required to keep records of their duty status using an electronic logbook. This means that drivers will need to adopt electronic logging devices in order to comply with Transport Canada regulations. Canadian truck driver log book rules have come to be through a few steps that lead up to its implementation as follows:
- December 16, 2017 – The Canadian Government published a series of regulations for commercial vehicle drivers’ hours of service, one of which included the use of electronic logging devices.
- June 12, 2019 – Transport Canada announced the mandatory use of a truck driver log book for operations involving commercial trucks and bus operators.
- June 12, 2021 – Original deadline for truckers to switch from paper daily logs and comply with elog requirements.
- June 12, 2022 – Second enforcement deadline. The original “progressive enforcement period” was intended to last until this date to support carriers to take on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- January 1, 2023 – New enforcement deadline. Transport Canada decided to delay the date on which the mandate would come into full effect due to the limited supply of certified ELDs.
I’ve co-founded, built and managed several transportation-related businesses. Now, I’m a founder and CEO of HOS247 – an AI Transportation Platform for trucking companies, freight brokers and other logistics operations. We are transitioning old-style operations to technology-advanced logistics entities and help them to grow their businesses. ELDs (electronic logging devices), fleet tracking and management 2.0 combined with AI-powered dispatch tools.
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