How it works
The ELD connects to the truck's engine control module via the OBD-II or J1939 port and captures engine on/off, vehicle motion, miles driven, and location data. It synchronizes with a driver-facing app (phone or tablet) that shows the current duty status (off duty, sleeper berth, driving, on duty not driving) and logs automatically as the truck moves.
Who uses it
Most commercial drivers operating a truck with a gross vehicle weight rating above 10,000 lb in interstate commerce. Exemptions exist for short-haul drivers, pre-2000 model-year trucks, drive-away-tow-away operations, and agricultural hauls within 150 air-miles.
Why it matters
Hours of Service violations are one of the top roadside-inspection citations and directly impact a carrier's CSA score. An ELD eliminates manual log errors, captures violations in real time, and produces audit-ready records for FMCSA inspections.
In Rig Terminal
Rig Terminal ships an FMCSA-certified ELD — included with Owner-Operator plans ($99/month) and priced at $49/month per device on Fleet Owner and Dispatcher plans. Installation takes under five minutes — plug the device into the diagnostic port, pair it with the driver app, and logging starts automatically. HOS alerts and audit-ready reports are built in. Hardware is sold separately, with a hardware-credit program for carriers switching from Motive, Samsara, or KeepTruckin.
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