When the electronic logging device mandate went into full swing in 2019 many motor carriers found themselves rushing to find an ELD to come into compliance. Now, a few years into the mandate, some carriers are finding that their initial ELD selection is falling short of their expectations.
Common complaints spurring carriers to look for a new ELD include unreliability, lack of features and poor customer support. If you’re among these carriers looking to find a better ELD – not to mention a better ELD provider – here are some key considerations to keep in mind as you weigh your options.
Compliance Is No. 1
To be in compliance with the mandate, the device you choose must be on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s list of registered ELDs. It’s important to know, however, that ELDs on the list are self-certified by the manufacturer and, as Heavy Duty Trucking notes, “there’s no guarantee that the ones on the list are actually compliant.”
Some ELD providers take the extra step of having their device verified by a third party. The EROAD ELD, for example, was independently verified by the PIT Group so users can be confident that they are in compliance.
Adding Value Beyond Compliance
The core function of an ELD is to keep track of drivers’ hours of service. And some ELDs do just that. But other ELDs provide many fleet management features aimed at boosting safety and efficiency and protecting carriers’ CSA scores. Features like fleet monitoring, driver scoring, fuel tax reporting and others – all of which are available with the EROAD ELD – add more value than FMCSA compliance alone.
A Full Fleet Management Solution
Some manufacturers focus on ELDs alone, leaving carriers to look elsewhere for other fleet management solutions. When considering an ELD, be sure to see what other products the provider offers. EROAD, for instance, provides dash cams, asset trackers, smart trailer sensors and more. If you’re planning to add products like these to your fleet, going with a single provider can bring many benefits, such as a single point of contact for customer service and having all your data on a single platform.
Ongoing Customer Support
From installation and driver training to regulatory changes and beyond, having ongoing customer support from your technology provider is crucial. Unfortunately, this is an area where many ELD manufacturers fall short. When choosing an ELD it’s important to look at the technical specifications, but don’t lose sight of the importance of great customer support.
With products like our dependable, durable and accurate ELD, our Clarity Dashcam and others, EROAD is committed to helping our customers run safe, efficient and successful operations while staying in compliance with FMCSA regulations. Contact us today to learn more about our fleet management solutions.
