ELD Stopped Working? Essential Steps for Truckers to Stay Compliant
When an electronic logging device (ELD) malfunctions, drivers must continue complying with federal hours-of-service requirements and use paper records until the system is restored or replaced.
Record the Current Day’s Hours
The driver should immediately begin documenting the current day’s record of duty status on paper. The paper log must reflect all duty-status changes, including driving, on-duty not driving, and sleeper-berth time.
Drivers must also notify their carrier of the malfunction. The carrier is responsible for addressing the equipment problem and maintaining the required records.
Reconstruct the Previous Seven Days
In the event of an ELD failure, the driver must be able to reconstruct the previous seven days of duty status on paper. This step may be skipped if the required records from those seven days can be retrieved from the ELD or another accessible system.
Even when the previous seven days are available electronically, the driver must still record the current day and each subsequent day on paper until the ELD is functioning properly.
Hours-of-Service Rules Still Apply
An ELD malfunction does not change the applicable hours-of-service limits. Drivers must continue observing the 11-hour driving limit, the 14-hour on-duty window, required 30-minute breaks, and the applicable 60- or 70-hour weekly limits.
Covered commercial drivers generally must use compliant ELDs unless a specific regulatory exception applies. Carriers are also generally required to retain records of duty status and supporting documents for six months.
Drivers should keep the paper records accurate and available for inspection while the malfunction is being resolved. Operating without a working, registered ELD when no exception applies can result in violations and may lead to an out-of-service order.
