Penske Truck Leasing has introduced free to its commercial customers the new Penske Driver app to provide truck drivers with “easy Hours of Service functionality” to meet the electronic logging device mandate as well as other productivity tools. The company said that it will also continue to allow drivers and fleets to use their own portable ELD systems with its rental vehicles.

Designed to comply with HOS regulations for Penske commercial customers who rent trucks, the app is available for immediate free download on Android and iOS/Apple devices.

The company said the Penske Driver app quickly and easily connects using Bluetooth inside Penske rental trucks. The app is then integrally synchronized to meet ELD mandate requirements, and it remains connected to ensure the driver is always in compliance.

Penske noted that “activating the app is easy with assistance from Penske’s rental associates.” Penske said the app was custom-built based on extensive customer and driver research and is supported 24/7 by Penske’s in-house staff.

“As we announced in April, we have been working on a solution for our rental fleet related to hours of service,” said Sherry Sanger, Penske’s senior vice president of marketing. “Connecting fleets means connecting drivers and providing them with the valuable tools they need to make their jobs easier.”

Sanger added that “providing drivers the ability to easily log hours of service and stay compliant via a user-friendly and comprehensive app was the logical next step. Drivers are the backbone for our commercial customers, and we want to help them stay connected, compliant and informed.”

According to the company, the Penske Driver app enables truck drivers to:

• Easily log Hours of Service in Penske rental vehicles and comply with the ELD mandate.

• Quickly locate Penske Truck Leasing service, rental and fuel locations as well as other locations, including truck stops, CNG stations, and public scales

• Access essential vehicle information, including full visibility into a vehicle’s recent service history

• Digitally submit fuel receipts with a simple form and receipt photo, virtually eliminating paperwork

The new Penske Driver app is a companion to the Penske Flee app for fleet managers, launched earlier this year. The company said that enhancements and upgrades to the Penske Driver app are already slated for early next year.

Penske also noted that it offers as a free download an ELD Success Guide.

Editor's note: Click here for ongoing coverage of the ELD mandate by the editors of HDT.