The Road Ahead: Preparing for the Canadian ELD Mandate
Whether you track hours of service using ERDs, paper logs, or ELDs, soon your processes and technology will need an overhaul. Starting June 12, 2021, any truck, tractor, or trailer with a total registered gross vehicle weight greater than 4,500 kilograms must replace paper or electronic logs with certified electronic logging devices (ELDs).
While the new Canadian ELD rules are similar to American legislation, there are a few key differences. The most important difference is third-party certification, which gives the Canadian ELD mandate more teeth.
What can fleet operators do to prepare? Keep reading for a few helpful tips.
How Fleet Operators Can Prepare
When speaking of the June 12 timeline, the Minister of Transport says he is “firmly committed.” There will be a progressive enforcement period, and fleet operators will be given adequate time to install certified ELDs without penalty. However, no one knows when this “grandfather period” will end. If you do business in Canada, now’s the time to start transitioning to ELDs. Here are four steps to help you prepare:
Step 1: Start Looking for the Best ELD
Due to the high cost of certification, fewer small ELD providers are expected to be approved under the Canadian ELD mandate. To ensure your fleet will comply, start looking for a proven ELD provider who is committed to certification. Canadian legislation requires the ELD system to alert drivers when they are approaching their hours of service (HOS) limits. Be sure to choose an ELD that supports this functionality, with other useful features like:
- Easy Installation
- Accurate Engine Diagnostics
- Advanced Engine Data Capture
- Authentication and Encryption Security
- Accident Detection and Notification
Step 2: Create an Implementation Plan
Once you’ve chosen the best ELD for your fleet, it’s time to create a detailed installation and implementation plan. To ensure you roll out your new ELDs in a timely manner, set your target install date and work backwards from there. Build in enough time to get your team up to speed on new processes and technology.
Step 3: Train Your Drivers
Once your back-office staff is prepared, it’s time to train your drivers. To start, show your drivers how to use an ELD. You may consider conducting mock roadside inspections to help your drivers hold their own on the road. Clearly communicate the differences between American and Canadian ELD legislation, particularly Canadian versus American hours of service (HOS) rules.
Step 4: Keep the Big Picture in Mind
While ELDs are the sole focus of this new legislation, why not gain additional fleet safety and efficiency while you’re at it? Look for an ELD vendor with a full trucking ecosystem to help you manage loads, routes, payroll, paperwork, and driver and broker communication. When all your technology is in one place, everything runs smoother.
How Transflo Can Help
From ELDs and beyond, Transflo’s fleet and driver technology solutions make every workflow easier, more efficient, and more driver-friendly—so you can spend less time on paperwork and more time running your business.
With Transflo’s T-Series ELD powered by Geotab, you gain total visibility into driver behavior and fleet safety with:
- Notifications and violation alerts based on engine data
- Fuel consumption and route analysis
- Ultra-accurate vehicle diagnostics
- Real-time, map-based GPS truck tracking
- In-app HOS graphs and electronic logs
It only takes three steps to get started with Transflo ELDs: Download the Mobile+ app, complete driver registration within the app, and plug in the ELD using the device instructions. Click here to learn more about Transflo’s T-Series ELDs.
Get Transflo’s ELDs Free for 6 Months
No payment for six months and no upfront hardware costs on an approved contract. Restrictions apply.
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