skip to main content
Travelers Logo
  • About
  • Careers
  • Agents
  • Investors
  • Sustainability
  • Contact Us
  • For Individuals
    • Overview
    • Products
      • Car
      • Home
      • Renters
      • Condo
      • Landlord
      • Boat & Yacht
      • Flood
      • Motorcycle
      • Travel
      • Pet
      • Weddings
      • Umbrella
      • All Products
    • Prepare & Prevent
      • Insurance 101
      • Home Central
      • Travelers Garage
      • Managing Through COVID-19
    • Affinity Group Discount
    • Online Service
    • Pay Your Bill
      • Get a Quote
      • Find an Agent
      • Report a Claim
      • Pay Your Bill
  • For Business
    • Overview
    • Products & Solutions
      • Overview
      • Boiler & Machinery
      • Commercial Auto & Trucking
      • Cyber
      • Environmental Liability
      • Excess Casualty & Umbrella
      • General Liability
      • Global Insurance
      • Inland Marine
      • Management & Professional Liability
      • Ocean Marine
      • Property
      • Business Owner's Policy
      • Surety Bonds
      • Workers Compensation
        • Find an Agent
        • Report a Claim
        • Pay Your Bill
    • Industries
      • Overview
      • Agribusiness
      • Architects, Engineers & Surveyors
      • Auto & Truck Dealers
      • Business & Professional Services
      • Construction
      • Education
      • Energy & Renewable
      • Equipment Dealers
      • Financial Institutions
      • Food Services
      • Health & Related Services
      • Hospitality & Recreation
      • Manufacturing
      • Marine Industries
      • Museums & Fine Art
      • Non-Profit
      • Oil & Gas
      • Public Entities
      • Real Estate
      • Retail
      • Technology
      • Transportation
      • Wholesale & Distribution
        • Find an Agent
        • Report a Claim
        • Pay Your Bill
    • Services
      • Overview
      • Risk Control
      • Claim
      • Premium Audit
      • Online Customer Tools
      • Risk Management Information Services
      • Travelers Client Advantage
        • Find an Agent
        • Report a Claim
        • Pay Your Bill
    • Small Business
      • Overview
      • Automobile Insurance
      • Business Owner's Policy
      • Data Breach
      • Employment Practices Liability
      • Professional Insurance
      • Umbrella Insurance
      • Workers Compensation Inurance
        • Find an Agent
        • Report a Claim
        • Pay Your Bill
    • Large Business
      • Overview
      • Casualty
      • Cyber
      • Management & Professional Liability
      • Property
        • Find an Agent
        • Report a Claim
        • Pay Your Bill
    • Multinational Business
    • Prepare & Prevent
      • By Topic
      • By Industry
      • Navigating Your Business Through COVID-19
        • Find an Agent
        • Report a Claim
        • Pay Your Bill
      • Find an Agent
      • Report a Claim
      • Pay Your Bill
  • Claim Center
    • Claim Center
    • Should I File a Claim?
    • File a Claim
    • Roadside Assistance
    • Find a Service Provider
    • Check Your Claim Status
    • Manage Your Claim Experience
      • Understanding the Claim Process
      • Claim Guide Library
      • Workers Compensation Resources
    • Claim Capabilities
      • Get a Quote
      • Find an Agent
      • Report a Claim
      • Pay Your Bill
  • Prepare & Prevent
    • For Individuals
    • Home Central
      • Buying & Selling
      • Home Maintenance
      • Home Renovation
      • Home Safety
      • Moving
      • Smart Home
    • Travelers Garage
      • Buying & Selling
      • Car Maintenance
      • Distracted Driving
      • Safe Driving
      • Teen Driving
      • Boating
    • Insurance 101
    • Weather
    • For Business
    • Industries
      • Construction
      • Manufacturing
      • Nonprofit
      • Small Business
      • Technology
    • Topics
      • Business Continuity
      • Cyber
      • Driver and Fleet Safety
      • Facilities Management
      • Internet of Things
      • Product and Services Liability
      • Supply Chain Management
      • Workplace Safety
    • Travelers Risk Index
      • Get a Quote
      • Find an Agent
      • Report a Claim
      • Pay Your Bill
  • About Travelers
    • Overview
      • Awards & Recognition
      • Careers
      • Community
      • Diversity & Inclusion
      • Sustainability
      • History
      • Investors
      • Media Resources
      • News
      • Travelers Championship
      • Travelers Institute
      • Get a Quote
      • Find an Agent
      • Report a Claim
      • Pay Your Bill
    • Get a Quote
    • Find an Agent
    • Report a Claim
    • Pay Your Bill
Main Navigation
  • For Individuals
      • Insurance for Individuals
      • Products
        • Car
        • Home
        • Renters
        • Condo
        • Landlord
        • Boat & Yacht
        • Flood
        • Motorcycle
        • Travel
        • Pet
        • Weddings & Events
        • Umbrella
        • More
      • Prepare & Prevent
        • Insurance 101
        • Home Central
        • Travelers Garage
      • Affinity Group Discount
      • Online Service
      • Pay Your Bill
    • Get a home quote now

      It's easy to get a free quote for home insurance from Travelers in just a few minutes.

       

      Get a home quote now
  • For Business
      • Products & Solutions
        • Commercial Auto & Trucking
        • Cyber
        • General Liability
        • Management & Professional Liability
        • Property
        • Business Owner's Policy
        • Surety Bonds
        • Workers Compensation
        • More
      • Industries
        • Construction
        • Energy & Renewable
        • Financial Institutions
        • Healthcare
        • Manufacturing
        • Real Estate
        • Technology
        • Transportation
        • More
      • Prepare & Prevent
      • Services
        • Risk Control
        • Claim
        • Premium Audit
        • More
      • Pay Your Bill
      • Small Business
      • Large Business
      • Multinational Business
      • For Business Overview
    • Tips for Managing Risks Related to a Remote Workforce

      Tips for Managing Risks Related to a Remote Workforce

      With the current reality of more employees working from home through the pandemic, is your business ready for all the implications?

      Learn more
  • Claim Center
      • Claim Center
      • Should I File a Claim?
      • File a Claim
      • Roadside Assistance
      • Find a Service Provider
      • Check Your Claim Status
      • Manage Your Claim Experience
        • Understanding the Claim Process
        • Claim Guide Library
        • Workers Compensation Resources
      • Claim Capabilities
    • Send us your receipts, photos, invoices and more with just a push of a button.

      Securely share information with your Claim team.

      Send us your receipts, photos, invoices and more with just a push of a button.

      Upload a File
  • Prepare & Prevent
      • For Individuals
      • Home Central
        • Buying & Selling
        • Home Maintenance
        • Home Renovation
        • Home Safety
        • Moving
        • Smart Home
      • Travelers Garage
        • Buying & Selling
        • Car Maintenance
        • Distracted Driving
        • Safe Driving
        • Teen Driving
        • Boating
      • Insurance 101
      • Weather
      • For Business
      • Industries
        • Construction
        • Energy
        • Manufacturing
        • Nonprofit
        • Small Business
        • Technology
      • Topics
        • Business Continuity
        • Cyber
        • Driver and Fleet Safety
        • Facilities Management
        • Internet of Things
        • Product and Services Liability
        • Supply Chain Management
        • Workplace Safety
      • Travelers Risk Index
    • Managing Through COVID-19

      Managing Through COVID-19

      Resources to help you adapt to the realities of COVID-19.

      Learn more
  • Home
  • Prepare & Prevent
  • Business
  • Driver & Fleet Safety
  • ELD Mandate Can Help Foster Adoption of Telematics Programs

ELD Mandate Can Help Foster Adoption of Telematics Programs

By Travelers Risk Control
Truck driver looking at tablet next to truck Truck driver looking at tablet next to truck

Efforts to comply with a federal rule requiring carriers and drivers to electronically track miles driven can be an opportunity for companies to adopt a more robust telematics program that promotes safety and efficiency, according to Travelers Risk Control safety professionals. Effective Dec. 18, 2017, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rule mandates the use of electronic logging devices (ELD).

What Is the FMCSA ELD Rule?

An electronic logging device, or ELD, synchronizes with a vehicle engine, automatically recording driving time, for more effective and accurate documenting of hours of service (HOS). Carriers and drivers who currently use paper logs or logging software must transition to ELDs by Dec. 18, 2017. Carriers and drivers who already use an automatic onboard recording device (AOBRD) before the deadline have until Dec. 16, 2019 to transition to ELDs.

“Companies who were on the fence about adopting telematics before may decide that it makes more financial sense now, and others may be updating their systems before they are required to comply in 2019,” says Travelers Risk Control safety professional Chris Hayes. There are several ways that telematics can help companies manage their fleet, including safety, tracking and fuel efficiency.

Here’s a look at the new ELD rule, some things to look for in choosing a system, and tips for managing your telematics program.

Who Must Follow the MFCSA ELD Requirements?

According to FMCSA, the rule applies to most carriers and drivers who are required to maintain records of duty status (RODS), including one-truck owner operators. When multiple operators use the same truck, drivers must have a unique username to sign in and out of the ELD. The rule also applies to commercial buses. Certain exemptions do apply, including for driveaway/towaway drivers and for drivers who use paper logs for no more than eight days during any 30-day period. Those drivers may elect to use ELDs even if they are not required.

How Will It Be Enforced?

ELDs must be certified, registered and listed on an FMCSA website. The FMCSA has posted a list of compliant ELD providers. Standard data displays and data transfer processes make it easier to show compliance with the rule and to share RODS with safety officials. The rule includes provisions to help prevent data tampering and harassment of drivers. The FMCSA has not yet determined what penalties will be enforced for those who fail to comply with ELD requirements.

Electronic logging devices quote Electronic logging devices quote

What Should Carriers Look for in an ELD System?

In addition to selecting a compliant ELD provider, carriers will want to choose a system that works for their operations. For example, if a driver operates multiple vehicles in a single work day, consider a compliant mobile device application. Research the ELD provider by checking with the Better Business Bureau and online reviews. The FCMSA website provides a checklist of some key required ELD functions.

Tips for Managing Your Telematics Program

While fleet management, or telematics, is not a requirement of the new rule, many ELDs may be part of a fleet management system. Such systems are capable of doing more than recording driver miles. In addition to recording miles, telematics can also help identify unsafe driving behaviors before they lead to accidents, improve fuel efficiency and remotely diagnose mechanical problems. Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking helps fleets track the exact location, routes and arrival and departure times.

“Vehicle telematics systems can provide fleet managers valuable data to help improve operational efficiencies and fleet safety,” says Hayes. Operationally, the data can help with vehicle location, better communication with drivers on the road, navigational support, route and workflow optimization and fuel and customer service benefits. These devices can also capture data about driving behaviors, such as speeding, braking, abrupt lane changes and idling. Using this data as part of an ongoing safe driving feedback and coaching program can help reduce the potential for accidents and help keep your drivers, customers and the public safe.

Depending on your company’s priorities, you can choose a system that offers real-time tracking, turn-by-turn navigation, and driver performance tracking. Having a telematics system is only the first step in taking full advantage of the safety and efficiency benefits. Installing and integrating a telematics system into your operation can be a big undertaking.

Training drivers on the benefits of the system, how you plan to use the data, and on your expectations for safe driving can help get buy-in for the telematics system. A well-integrated telematics system can allow you and your drivers to comply with federally-mandated ELD requirements, while improving communication with drivers on the road and improving efficiency and fleet safety.

Learn More About Commercial Truck & Auto Insurance

More Prepare & Prevent

Ignition to a car

8 Elements of a Fleet Safety Program

A formal fleet safety program can help maximize fleet efficiency, enhance safety, and more.

employee driving during company hours

Safeguard Your Business with a Distracted Driving Policy

Help prevent distracted driving accidents in your business by creating and enforcing a mobile phone use and distracted driving policy.

reflection triangle on the road next to a car

What to Do in Case of a Truck Accident

A truck accident plan can help keep drivers safe, and help your company determine the root cause.

Top Stories
team looking at screens monitoring drivers using telematics

Vehicle Telematics Program Guidelines

Having a discussion with drivers can help vehicle telematics become accepted in your business.

  • Learn More

Related Content

  • 8 Elements of a Fleet Safety Program
  • Tips for Selecting Safe Drivers for Your Business
  • 4 Steps to Help Identify Your Safest Drivers

Find an Agent

Need an Agent?

Get the personal service and attention that an agent provides.

Find a local agent in your area:


line of fleet vans

Specialized Insurance Solutions for Commercial Auto & Trucking


See All Driver & Fleet Safety Content


Travelers logo

Travelers and The Travelers Umbrella are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries.
© 2022 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved.

  • Travelers on Facebook
  • Travelers on YouTube
  • Travelers on Twitter
  • Travelers on LinkedIn
  • Travelers on Instagram

Products & Services

  • For Individuals
  • For Businesses
  • Claim Services
  • Prepare & Prevent

Our Company

  • About Travelers
  • Careers
  • Investors
  • Sustainability
  • Travelers Institute

Connect

  • Customer Support
  • MyTravelers®
  • For Agents
  • Find an Agent

Legal & Compliance

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy & Security
  • Accessibility
  • Producer Compensation Disclosure