Canada ELD Rule: Know The Specifications

Full enforcement of the Federal rule for electronic logging devices (ELDs) for commercial trucking fleets operating in Canada will take effect on June 12, 2021. This means commercial motor carriers will have to have chosen, bought and installed certified ELD devices by this date.¹ Paper logs, elogs, and automatic on-board recording devices (AOBRDS) will no longer be acceptable after the compliance date.

Here's what commercial trucking fleets operating in Canada need to keep in mind as the enforcement date nears.

The benefits of using an ELD

ELDs will make it easier and faster to accurately track Hours of Service (HOS). As a result, fleets and drivers will realize a number of benefits¹: 

• Reduced fatigue that translates to increased driving safety
• Reduced likelihood of out-of-service detention time for regulation violations
• Lower enforcement costs for provinces and territories
• Fairer competition for federally regulated motor carriers
• Better integration with regulatory requirements
• Improved driver quality of life
• Improved driver safety and CSA scores
• Minimized paperwork
• Faster completion of DVIRs and roadside inspections
• Reduced errors and tampering with logbooks

Considerations and specifications for ELDs in Canada

Fleets and commercial drivers will be required to use ELDs that have been tested and certified by an accredited certification body that has followed the criteria in the most recent version of the Standard and the Regulations, to ensure ELD manufacturers meet the proper restrictions set forth by the Canadian government.¹ 

In addition, here are other considerations fleet managers will want to keep in mind about the use and operation of ELDs: 

• United States-compliant doesn’t mean Canada-compliant. While requirements in the Canadian ELD Standard are aligned with those of the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for interoperability, the Canadian ELD Standard includes additional requirements to comply with current HOS Regulations in Canada².
• An ELD must automatically switch to driving status once the commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is moving up to a set speed threshold of eight kilometers per hour. As a result, the in-motion state must not be configured greater than eight kilometers per hour.²
• A driver may use a portable device, smartphone or other wireless device if the device meets ELD technical specifications. A portable ELD must be mounted in a fixed position during commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operation and visible to the driver from a normal seated driving position.²
• A motor carrier must assign only one ELD driver account for each of its drivers required to use an ELD.²
• During a roadside inspection, the safety official will use the ELD’s display screen or printout to review the driver’s Records of Duty Status (RODS) and verify compliance with the Canadian HOS regulations.²
• An ELD must use onboard sensors and data record history to identify instances when it may not have complied with the power requirements specified in the ELD rule.³
• The ELD is required to obtain and display the engine control module (ECM) value at all times. Authorized safety officials will use the odometer value reported on the ELD.³

It's also important to note that some vehicles will actually be exempt from the new rule. According to the Canada Gazette, commercial vehicles will be exempt from needing ELDs 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 2000 

Find out how an ELD solution can help you stay compliant and bring in efficiency in your fleet operations.

Additional noteworthy ELD points

As Canadian fleets near the ELD mandate compliance date, these last few points are noteworthy in terms of understanding how to use ELDs and apply the ELD rule⁴: 

• Rental trucks used for 30 days or less are exempt
• Drivers who “pick up” incorrect unassigned driving time can “put it back”
• Drivers who have used 75 kilometers a day must disable the personal use option
• The ELD must warn drivers when they are running out of HOS 

Common ELD questions

When is location data recorded by an electronic logging device (ELD)?

Location data must be recorded by an ELD at 60-minute intervals when the vehicle is in motion, and when the driver powers up and shuts down the engine, changes duty status and operating jurisdiction, and indicates personal use or yard moves. Location data is not recorded during personal use of a CMV.

What are the options for electronic logging devices (ELDs) to electronically transfer data?

On demand during a roadside safety inspection, an electronic logging device (ELD) can produce and transfer ELD records for the current 24-hour period and the previous 14 consecutive days. At a minimum, the ELD will electronically transfer data to the authorized safety official by email. In addition to the email transfer method, the ELD may also include USB or Bluetooth options for local transfer methods. ²

Finding the right telematics ELD solution 

The Canadian rule rollout is approaching fast. Taking into account vendor approval, fleets need to act right now to implement and ELD solution for their fleet and at the same time train their employees. It also means some carriers could face uncertainty over whether their devices will be approved in Canada by the June 12, 2021 deadline.⁵ 

Given this, it’s crucial for Canadian carriers and drivers to find a provider that is already certified or will be certified before the deadline. 

¹https://tc.canada.ca/en/road-transportation/electronic-logging-devices/electronic-logging-devices-what-you-need-know

²https://www.ccmta.ca/en/canadian-eld-standard/canadian-eld-standard-faq-s

³https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/hours-service/elds/eld-technical-specifications

⁴https://www.fleetowner.com/industry-perspectives/ideaxchange/article/21127415/comparing-canadas-eld-mandate-to-the-us-rules

⁵https://www.truckinginfo.com/335653/what-american-carriers-need-to-know-about-canadas-eld-rule