Got Questions? ELD and Telematics

Q. How much and what kind of training will I need to provide my drivers so they can use ELDs properly?

A. As with any new technology or process that you introduce, there will be a transition and training period. The great news is that you can begin equipping some of your trucks with ELDs now, letting your business and drivers become familiar with them well ahead of the deadline.

Once you have installed devices, you can begin training drivers on how to use ELDs. There are two options for training: developing your own training program, or asking your ELD vendor to provide training.

To make sure you or your supplier are covering all the necessary bases, here are the tasks the FMCSA says drivers will need to know how to do when using an ELD:

• Log in
• Respond to the unassigned driving hours the ELD records
• Record duty status changes
• Edit records
• Add notes to records to explain any edits or additions
• Certify records to indicate that they are complete and accurate
• Access RODS data from the ELD
• Review and understand the ELD printout/display information
• Transfer ELD data by e-mail or Bluetooth to inspectors or law enforcement
• Identify and correct or report data diagnostic issues
• Report ELD malfunctions

Remember to remind drivers that there are certain documents they need to keep in their vehicles as it relates to ELDs. According to the FMCSA these documents include:

• ELD User’s Manual
• Instruction sheet for transferring HOS records to safety officials
• Instruction sheet on reporting ELD malfunctions and recordkeeping procedures during ELD malfunctions
• A supply of paper tracking forms (grid graphs) for at least eight days, in case of ELD malfunction

A key component of driver training includes touching on the best way to interact with enforcement officers. This will be especially important in the next several years when trucks are allowed to be equipped with either an AOBRD or an ELD. AOBRDs do not have the capability to transfer data while ELDs do. Drivers should know whether the truck they’re driving has an AOBRD or an ELD so they are prepared to give enforcement officers the information that they need.