What are the HOS (Hours of Service) limits?

For property-carrying CMV drivers: 11 hours of driving within a 14-hour window after 10 consecutive hours off duty. The 60/70-hour limit restricts total on-duty time to 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days. A 30-minute break is required after 8 cumulative hours of driving. The 34-hour restart provision allows you to reset your weekly hours.

ELD Compliance Requirements 2026

Q: Who is required to use an ELD?

Most commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers who are required to keep Records of Duty Status (RODS) must use an ELD. This generally applies to drivers operating vehicles with a GVWR over 10,001 lbs or requiring a CDL, who operate in interstate commerce. Some exemptions exist for short-haul drivers, drivers of vehicles manufactured before 2000, and driveaway-towaway operations.

Q: What makes an ELD device FMCSA-compliant?

An FMCSA-compliant ELD must be registered on the FMCSA's list of registered devices, automatically record driving time when the vehicle moves, connect to the engine ECM to capture engine power, vehicle motion, and miles driven, allow drivers to review and certify their logs, support data transfer via Bluetooth or USB to inspectors, and retain data for the current 24-hour period plus the previous 7 consecutive days.

Q: What happens if I get caught without an ELD?

Driving without a required ELD results in being placed out of service at roadside inspections — you cannot move your truck until you comply. Fines typically range from $1,000 to $16,000 depending on the circumstances. Repeated violations affect your CSA scores and can trigger a DOT audit.

Q: How much does an ELD device cost?

ELD devices range from $150 to $500 for the hardware, plus monthly service fees of $15 to $40 for the software and cellular connectivity. Some providers offer all-inclusive plans. When choosing an ELD, verify it appears on the FMCSA registered device list and consider features like GPS tracking, IFTA mileage reports, and DVIR capabilities.

What Is an ELD and Why Is It Required?

An Electronic Logging Device (ELD) is a piece of hardware that connects to a commercial motor vehicle's engine and automatically records the driver's driving time and hours of service (HOS). The FMCSA's ELD mandate, which became fully enforceable in December 2019, requires most CMV drivers who maintain Records of Duty Status (RODS) to use a registered ELD instead of paper logs.

The purpose is safety. Before ELDs, paper logbooks were easy to falsify — drivers could manipulate their records to drive longer than legally allowed, increasing fatigue-related accident risk. ELDs automate the recording process by connecting directly to the vehicle's engine computer, making it significantly harder to tamper with driving hours.

In 2026, there are no major regulatory changes to the ELD mandate itself, but enforcement has intensified. Roadside inspections now include thorough ELD checks, and carriers without compliant devices face immediate out-of-service orders and fines. Understanding and maintaining ELD compliance is essential for every trucking company.

Who Must Use an ELD?

The ELD mandate applies to most commercial motor vehicle drivers who are required to keep RODS under 49 CFR Part 395. Specifically:

Interstate CMV drivers operating vehicles with a GVWR/GCWR over 10,001 lbs
CDL-required vehicle operators (GVWR over 26,001 lbs)
Passenger-carrying vehicles designed for 9 or more passengers for compensation or 16+ without compensation
Hazmat-transporting vehicles that require placards

ELD Exemptions

Certain drivers and situations are exempt from the ELD requirement:

Short-haul drivers operating within a 150 air-mile radius who return to their work reporting location within 14 hours and do not keep RODS
Driveaway-towaway operations where the vehicle being driven is the commodity being delivered
Vehicles manufactured before model year 2000 (no engine ECM to connect to)
Drivers who use paper RODS for 8 or fewer days in any 30-day period

Important: Even if you qualify for the short-haul exemption, you must still maintain time records. If you exceed the 150 air-mile radius or the 14-hour window even once, you need an ELD for that day and potentially going forward.

Hours of Service (HOS) Rules for Property-Carrying Drivers

Your ELD automatically tracks compliance with federal HOS limits. Understanding these rules is critical because the ELD will flag violations in real time:

Rule	Limit	Details
11-Hour Driving Limit	11 hours	Maximum driving time after 10 consecutive hours off duty
14-Hour Window	14 hours	All driving must occur within 14 hours of coming on duty (not extendable)
30-Minute Break	After 8 hours	Required 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving
60/70-Hour Limit	60 or 70 hours	Maximum on-duty hours in 7 or 8 consecutive days
34-Hour Restart	34 hours off duty	Resets the 60/70-hour clock to zero
Sleeper Berth Provision	7/3 or 8/2 split	Allows splitting the required 10-hour off-duty period

What Makes an ELD FMCSA-Compliant?

Not every electronic logging app or device meets FMCSA standards. A compliant ELD must:

Appear on the FMCSA's official list of registered ELD devices (check at fmcsa.dot.gov)
Connect to the vehicle's engine ECM (Engine Control Module) to capture engine power status, vehicle motion, and miles driven
Automatically record driving time when the vehicle is in motion above a threshold speed (typically 5 mph)
Record date, time, location (GPS), engine hours, vehicle miles, and driver identification
Allow drivers to view, annotate, and certify their logs
Support electronic data transfer to inspectors via Bluetooth or USB
Retain data for the current 24-hour period plus the previous 7 consecutive days (minimum)
Prevent any alterations to automatically recorded data
Record malfunction and diagnostic events

Tip: Always verify your ELD device is on the FMCSA registered device list before purchasing. Devices that are removed from the list are no longer compliant, and using one will result in the same penalties as not having an ELD at all.

Common ELD Violations and Penalties

No ELD when required: Out-of-service order at roadside + fines $1,000 - $16,000
Using an unregistered ELD: Same as no ELD — out of service + fines
ELD not connected to engine: Data is invalid without engine connection — violation
Falsifying ELD records: Criminal offense — fines up to $30,000+, potential CDL disqualification
Not transferring data to inspector: Obstruction violation — fines and audit trigger
ELD malfunction not reported: Must notify carrier within 24 hours and use paper logs; failure to do so is a violation

ELD Best Practices for Compliance

1. Train Your Drivers

Every driver must know how to operate the ELD, change duty status, add annotations, handle malfunctions, and transfer data to inspectors. Conduct formal training for all new hires and periodic refreshers.

2. Conduct Regular ELD Audits

Review driver logs weekly or bi-weekly. Look for unassigned driving time, HOS violations, missing annotations, and patterns that suggest non-compliance. Many ELD platforms provide automated alerts for these issues.

3. Handle Malfunctions Correctly

If an ELD malfunctions, the driver must note the malfunction on a paper log, notify the carrier within 24 hours, and continue using paper logs until the device is repaired or replaced. The carrier has 8 days to fix or replace the device. Document everything.

4. Keep Supporting Documents

ELD records must be supported by bills of lading, fuel receipts, toll receipts, and other documents that verify the driver's location and activity. These are cross-referenced during audits.

5. Choose the Right ELD

Select an ELD that fits your operation. Consider GPS tracking, IFTA mileage automation, DVIR (Daily Vehicle Inspection Report) features, fleet management tools, and customer support quality. Hardware costs range from $150 to $500, with monthly service fees of $15 to $40.

ELD and Insurance Discounts

Many insurance carriers offer premium discounts for trucks equipped with ELD and telematics systems. Progressive Smart Haul, for example, offers savings of up to $2,000 for ELD-connected trucks because the data helps prove safe driving behavior. If your ELD also includes telematics features (hard braking alerts, speed monitoring, idle time tracking), you may qualify for additional discounts.

This makes the $150-$500 investment in an ELD device pay for itself quickly through both compliance and insurance savings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is required to use an ELD?

Most CMV drivers who are required to keep Records of Duty Status must use an ELD. This applies to drivers operating vehicles with a GVWR over 10,001 lbs in interstate commerce. Exemptions exist for short-haul drivers, vehicles manufactured before 2000, and driveaway-towaway operations.

What are the HOS limits?

For property-carrying drivers: 11 hours of driving within a 14-hour window after 10 consecutive hours off duty. The 60/70-hour limit restricts total on-duty time. A 30-minute break is required after 8 cumulative hours of driving. The 34-hour restart provision resets weekly hours.

What makes an ELD device FMCSA-compliant?

It must be on the FMCSA registered device list, connect to the engine ECM, automatically record driving time, support data transfer to inspectors, and retain at least 8 days of data. Always verify your device is currently listed before purchasing.

What happens if I get caught without an ELD?

Driving without a required ELD results in an out-of-service order at roadside inspections. Fines range from $1,000 to $16,000. Repeated violations affect CSA scores and can trigger a DOT audit.

How much does an ELD device cost?

ELD devices range from $150 to $500 for hardware, plus monthly service fees of $15 to $40. Some providers offer all-inclusive plans. When choosing, verify it is on the FMCSA registered device list and consider features like GPS, IFTA reporting, and DVIR.