The ELD Mandate Is Here
Today will be remembered as a major day in trucking history, as it is the ELD compliance deadline. Meaning that your trucks have to comply with the new regulations set forth by the FMCSA and this could have a major impact on trucking businesses.
As many drivers resisted the mandate and said they will quit if it took effect, all we can do is wait and see how the industry will be affected. Also, with ELD shortages across the nation, we hope you got your equipment already! So, what exactly does this mandate mean for you?
Today Is The ELD Compliance Deadline
Well, if you don’t have an ELD today, don’t panic. You won’t get parked, yet. The Commercial Safety Vehicle Alliance (CVSA) is giving drivers a grace period to comply, with their out-of-service-criteria (OOSC).
Under these criteria you have until April 1, 2018 to install an ELD that meets the FMCSA’s requirements before you will be placed out of service. However, starting today, December 18, roadside personnel and inspectors will begin checking rigs for ELDs and will issue citations at their own discretion for those who haven’t complied. That means if you don’t have an ELD you could get a warning or you could get an expensive citation.
If you have a grandfathered AOBRD or automatic onboard recording device installed before today and it meets the requirements of 49 CFR 319.15, you can continue to use it until December 16, 2019. Check out the ELD/AOBRD device Amil Freight has to offer if you still need equipment. They even provide helpful demos to teach you how to use it.
Many truckers focus on the negatives of getting an ELD device, but in reality, they can be quite helpful, especially when it comes to IFTA. You will be able to reduce paperwork as your ELD records all of your information for you.
As your distance traveled per jurisdiction will automatically be recorded for you simple mistakes and human errors will be eliminated. For example, your ELD device won’t report miles traveled between two nonadjacent states or miles for a state you didn’t even travel in.
Not all ELD devices are created equal, but some can do amazing things such as record information per trip, such as the beginning and ending locations, the total trip distance, distance traveled per jurisdiction, and more. The devices will even tell you if they go down so you can temporarily record your own information.
Then you can import all of that information to organize in one convenient location online with ExpressIFTA. You can use the bulk upload feature to upload all your information at once, or the quick entry screen to import all your data for a month at a time. You can also keep extremely detailed trip entries.
We will track your information and do all of the complicated calculations for you. We will prepare each of your calculation in a quarterly IFTA report that will even include the amount of tax you owe. You can print it, email it, and use it to instantly complete your return!
Do You Have Your ELD Ready?
If you don’t have your ELD device, you still have a little time to comply before getting placed out of service. With all of the ELD, madness don’t forget about your truck taxes! The 4th quarter IFTA deadline is coming up on January 31!
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