Heavy Vehicle Log Book to Rely on for Compliance

Checklist of FMCSA Requirements to Verify Compliance

Although there are no additional log book requirements for heavy vehicles, federal guidelines to achieve compliance are extensive. Here is a summary to aid trucking professionals:

• The device must be on the FMCSA’s list of approved devices.
  • You should only purchase an ELD that the manufacturer self-certifies and has been registered with the Administration.
• The portable elog must be mounted and visible when driving.
• The logbook can operate on a smartphone and other wireless devices that meet the rule’s technical specifications.
• Drivers must have an information pack with the following items on board:
  • A user manual describing how to operate the electronic logbook.
  • An instruction sheet describing the step-by-step data transfer instructions to produce and transfer records to a safety officer.
  • An instruction sheet describing ELD malfunction reporting requirements and recordkeeping procedures during malfunctions.
  • A minimum of 8 days’ supply of blank driver’s records of duty status graph-grids. 
• The log book app must allow the motor carrier to set up the availability status of the three categories (Personal Use, Yard Move, and None-default) for each of its drivers. 

Electronic Logbook Function and Configuration

Some of the requirements deal specifically with the way your heavy vehicle log book should be set up. A compliant electronic logbook must:

• be fully functional within 1 minute of being powered on;
• provide a visual or visual and audible warning if a driver does not log in as soon as the vehicle is in motion;
• record accumulated driving and on-duty non-driving time following the device’s defaults under the driver profile;
• not allow any information to be entered into the log book app other than a response to the login prompt;
• synchronize with the engine’s power status, vehicle motion, driven miles, engine hours, date, time, and vehicle location; 
• keep records of all the data following the standard for the details; and
• allow the carrier to input driver and vehicle data configuration. 

Here are other things to keep in mind:

• Verify that the elog can convert UTC standard date and time to the time standard in effect at the driver’s home terminal and also accounts for daylight savings time.
• The device must automatically determine the vehicle’s position in standard coordinates as an accurate geo-location. 
• Make sure the electronic log allows the driver to manually enter the vehicle’s location in text form when prompted. 
• The system must allow motor carriers to configure each driver’s profile to claim exemption from ELD use. It will also prevent errors related to driver identification. 
  • If there are previous records for unidentified drivers, the logbook must prompt a warning to the driver. 
• Make sure that the device does not allow recorded driving time to be shortened. The username associated with a record must not be edited or reassigned except under rare circumstances.
• The device must record every instance of a driver certifying or recertifying their records in a given 24-hour period. It should also associate the records with the driver, vehicle, motor carrier, and shipping document number. 
• The elog must be able to effectively determine when the vehicle is in motion and automatically set the duty status to driving. The vehicle’s speed must be 0 mph to be considered stationary.
• The logbook data must be printed or displayed as needed during roadside inspections.

A big part of compliance is choosing the right heavy vehicle log book. Carriers must ensure their provider is registered in the FMCSA’s list and ask about the requirements listed above to avoid setbacks on the road and hefty penalties.