3 Move to Make Before the ELD Mandate Deadline
Whether you agree with it or hate it with every bone in your body, the ELD mandate is officially happening. The Supreme Court declined to hear the OOIDA’s case against it, and the December 18th deadline still stands – which means if you are one of the estimated 30% of drivers who were waiting for the outcome of the OODIA’s legal challenges, it’s time to make a move. Here are three things you should consider doing within the next six months:
1. Tune into one of the FMCSA’s live ELD Q&A webinars.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has announced that it will be hosting two live Q&A sessions about ELDs. The hour-long sessions will be held on July 6th at 10:00 a.m. EDT and July 13th at 1:00 p.m. EDT. In these webinars, participants can email in any questions they have regarding ELDs to potentially be answered in the sessions. If you have any questions about ELDs or the mandate, or you just want to listen in, make sure to register as soon as possible.
2. Do your research.
Unless you are exempt from the ELD mandate, you will need an ELD in at least six months to stay in compliance. At this point, you know you need one – it’s just a matter of which one. With tons of compliance options out there with different features and benefits, it is important to do your research and find out which one is right for you. Don’t know where to start? Here are three questions to ask yourself as you begin your search for the perfect electronic logging device to fit your needs. Hint: many come with bonus features in addition to the ELD component that might surprise you. Check out which features Konexial’s My20 ELD has to offer.
3. Take the time to get adjusted to your new ELD.
With paper logs, you simply put a pencil to paper to log your hours. Electronic logging devices, however, may come with a bit of a learning curve for some drivers. If you plan to use a smartphone app/BYOD ELD, you’ll need to learn your way around the app. Getting a new smartphone to facilitate the ELD app? You will need time to get used to a new device. Either way, you’ll need to know how your new ELD works, and that may take more time for adjustment than you think – and the goal is to have it completely mastered by December 18th.
It’s Time to Take Action
The ELD mandate is a go and the countdown to compliance is on. If you have yet to choose a compliance option, now is a great time to begin the process. Ask questions, do your research, and take the time to learn the ins and outs of your chosen device for a smoother transition from paper to electronic logging.