Canadian ELD mandate solutions made easy

Starting June, 12, 2021, new amendments to the Commercial Vehicle Driers Hours of Service Regulations will mandate that commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) operating in Canada use a certified electronic logging device to record daily driving logs. After an initial progressive enforcement period noncompliance may result in heavy fines or out-of-service declarations.

Electronic logging devices, or ELDs, that have been certified by an accredited third party should have been implemented starting on June 12, 2021, through out Canada, per published amendments by Transport Canada to the Commercial Vehicle Drivers Hours of Service Regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part II (the Regulations). There will be an initial progressive enforcement period to give fleets sufficient time to install certified ELDs without penalty. Per the Minister of Transport, enforcement will consist of education and awareness during this early phase.

Transport Canada is the federal institution responsible for transportation policies and programs in Canada.

Fleets and commercial motor vehicle drivers will be required to use ELD mandate solutions that have been tested and gone through an extensive certification process from an accredited third party. This certifying body must follow the criteria in the most recent version of the Standard and the Regulations, to ensure ELD vendors meet the proper restrictions set forth by the government of Canada.²

Yes. While the U.S. and Canada ELD rules are similar, there are a few important differences:

Geolocation

• Canada: When referencing event locations, the app will display distances using the metric system (kilometers).

• U.S.: All distances will be displayed using the imperial system (miles).

Yard moves

• Canada: If a driver travels above 32 km/h while the app is in Yard Move mode, it will be automatically switched to Driving mode.

• U.S.: If a driver travels above 20 mph while the app is in Yard Move mode, it will be automatically switched to Driving mode.

Personal conveyance

• Canada: The limit in Personal Conveyance mode is 75 km traveled.

• U.S.: There is no limit for miles traveled in Personal Conveyance mode.

Off-duty deferral time (Canada South only)

• Canada: Drivers can defer up to 2 hours to the next day.

• U.S.: Drivers cannot defer any time.

Cycle reset

• Canada: Drivers cannot change to a new cycle at any point in their current cycle without full off-duty time.

• U.S.: Drivers can change to a new cycle at any point in their current cycle.

Every other day, a driver can choose to not take up to two hours of their required daily off-duty time. However, they must then take it the next day in addition to their normal required off-duty time.

For example, on the first day a driver can take their eight consecutive hours off-duty and defer the additional two hours to the next day, when they must take 10 consecutive hours off. Over that two-day span a driver must have at least 20 hours off-duty, including at least eight consecutive hours off-duty on the first day, at least 10 consecutive hours off-duty on the second day and an additional two consecutive or nonconsecutive hours on the second day. This only applies to Canada South rules.

According to the Canada Gazette, commercial vehicles will be exempt from needing ELD mandate solutions if they:

• Operate under a specific permit issued

• Have a statutory exemption

• Are subject to a rental agreement with terms under 30 days

• Operate a vehicle that was manufactured before the year 2000

There are also some truckers who will be exempt from using ELDs in Canada, including those who fall under the short-haul exemption and don’t drive outside of a 160 km radius of their home terminal.

Yes. Trucking companies operating within Canada’s boarders are required to comply with regulations set forth by Transport Canada. Noncompliance may result in heavy fines or out-of-service declarations

They are based on the location of the vehicle. Drivers must follow rulesets based on where the vehicle is located and the Operating Zone they are in. There are three Operating Zones: U.S., Canada South, and Canada North.

Yes. We are updating our existing ELD solution, available within our WorkPlan product, and fully intend to have it certified by June 12, 2021. Our updated ELD solution is being tested by the Canadian government’s chosen certification body. An announcement will follow once the certification is received. The new features are available for customer use.

No. Verizon Connect will provide a single ELD solution that meets the requirements for cross-border travel throughout the US and Canada. The solution will help you follow the different rules for HOS compliance based on your location.

It depends. If you subscribe to our WorkPlan solution, you will receive the necessary new updates at no charge. If you do not subscribe to WorkPlan, you will need to add it for a monthly fee to receive our certified ELD solution. Contact your Customer Success Manager for more information.

No, our existing app will be updated. You may need to train your drivers on the new functionality.

Yes. Our WorkPlan ELD solution will provide the same features to both U.S. and Canada customers and have the same functionality.

Our mobile app will prompt the driver for an Operating Zone Change when they cross the U.S. and Canada South border or the Canada North and Canada South border (defined by the 60th parallel north). The driver will need to confirm the Operating Zone change with a single tap in the mobile app, and the appropriate rulesets will be in effect based on the vehicle’s location.

The active ruleset will not change from the previous zone, and the driver may not be compliant. Make sure to train your drivers to be aware of the action required in the mobile app when they change Operating Zones.

No. You will need to access the admin setup to choose the rulesets that apply to each vehicle when they enter a new Operating Zone. After a vehicle enters a new zone and the driver confirms it, hours are recalculated automatically based on the chosen rulesets.

This will work a little differently for roadside inspections in Canada and the U.S.:

• U.S.: Drivers can put the app into Inspector mode to show eight days of historic driving logs. This data can be shared directly with the FMCSA or via email.
• Canada: Drivers can put the app into Inspector mode to show 15 days of historic driving logs. The driver can only send the data to an email address.

Our ELD solutions seamlessly track HOS information directly from a vehicle’s engine control module. This data includes the driver’s name, location, driver status (e.g., on duty, off-duty, yard move, personal conveyance), status duration (e.g., hours remaining, hours used), cycle times and other required information. The data is then synchronized with our software, where fleet managers can get visibility into HOS tracking for all their vehicles. Visit our Fleet help center for more information.