Colorado Electronic Logbook for Trucks

Last December (2017) it became a requirement for every motor carrier and truck driver to use an Electronic Logbook Device or “ELD.” This decision was made by the FMCSA and had been in the works for some time, since December of 2015. If you have any questions about ELD implementation or processes, we’d be happy to answer them.

As you know, the daily operation of your trucking business requires a lot of data recording. That’s where these ELDs come in, as electronic logbook devices use technology to record the data easier and more precisely than ever before. “RODS” stands for “Records On Duty Status.” Electronic logbook devices track, store and then analyze these RODS. As you might imagine, this will help you increase the growth of your company by seeing where you can cut costs and make improvements. ELDs provide more (and more accurate) information. So, you can then make the most informed decisions about your trucking business. With all of the necessary knowledge in front of you, you’ll be adequately equipped to take your trucking business to a higher level.

Electronic logbook devices can help your business in many different ways. For example, they connect directly to the engine. Through that access, they can record the truck motion performance with 100% accuracy. There’s no “guessing” or “estimating” involved – you’ll be able to know exactly how your engine performs.

Measuring your driver’s time is simpler and more exact with an electronic logbook device. Your drivers can select from “On-Duty,” “Off-Duty” and “On-Duty Not Driving” while they’re behind the wheel. With just a press of a button, they can update their status.

By that same token, drivers can keep track of the hours they were on duty exactly during a given day with an electronic logbook device. The “Record of Duty Status” (“RODS”) makes that simple.

In the “old days,” you had to type or write up your information to be given over to the authorities or for tax purposes. With an electronic logbook device, that data can be easily shared. Through Bluetooth, USB or other wireless web services, an electronic logbook device can share your info within seconds.

Sure, electronic logbook devices are now mandatory, but they can help your business, too. Instead of having to waste your (or your employees) time and money filling out RODS, you can access it electronically. That makes for much less administrative bloat and paperwork. Even better, you’ll have that information whenever you want to access it. No rifling through old file folders – just press a few buttons.

ELDs are good for the environment, too. Many trucking businesses have been able to go essentially paperless. By reducing waste, electronic logbook devices are a very “green” technology.

If you’ve priced electronic logbook devices, you’ve discovered that the costs can be all over the place. They tend to run between anywhere from $832 to $165. That’s quite a broad spectrum. A million different things go into the price of electronic logbook devices. Usually, they differ by type of vehicle. If you’re looking for an average for just one vehicle, an electronic logbook device should be somewhere around $500.

We did mention earlier on this page that electronic logbook devices are mandatory, but there are exemptions for everything. Often, even for companies that do fit into these exemptions, they find that having electronic logbook devices saves their company money in the long run. However, if you really don’t want to use them in your Colorado trucking company, these are a few criteria by which you would be exempt:

If you don’t own the commercial motor vehicle (CMV) as a tow away driver, you aren’t required to use electronic logbook devices. If your CMV uses an engine that was manufactured before the year 2000. If that’s the case, you’re exempt. Some drivers on 100 or 150 air-mile hauls don’t have to keep track of RODS. Those drivers also don’t have to use ELDs. If you do RODS tracking less than 8 days in one 30-day time period, you won’t have to use an ELD.

Do you fit any of those and don’t want to have to get an electronic logbook device? Then you can apply for an exemption from the ELD rule. You’ll just keep on using the tracking processes you have been. We understand if ELDs can seem a little confusing at first. We can help with training and installation. Schedule a consultation with us and we can get your trucks ELD rule compliant before any inspection.