Technology continues to drive change in industries worldwide, including transportation, and regulatory bodies are embracing devices that can improve safety. In June 2021, Transport Canada began requiring all federally regulated commercial drivers to use approved ELDs to ensure drivers and fleet carriers comply with driver hours-of-service regulations. However, failing to comply carried no penalties.1

On January 1, 2023, enforcement of the mandate took effect, though fines for noncompliance with the ELD mandate vary substantially. Some provinces have yet to roll out a penalty or point plan for noncompliance. Others list fines for noncompliance between $140 and $500, with a loss of three to five points for minor infractions. However, maximum penalties for repeat ELD use and hours of service-related offences are listed as high as $20,000 in Ontario and up to $25,000 for fleet carriers in Saskatchewan.2 Under the law, U.S. drivers crossing the border into Canada also must use an ELD from an approved list of vendors; the U.S. implemented a similar ELD regulation in 2017.

Best practices for ELD implementation

Despite the challenges of implementing new technology, ELD usage benefits both drivers and fleets. Rather than requiring drivers to manually record hours driven, vehicle miles, inspections conducted and other relevant information on paper logs, ELDs log this data automatically, lessening the administrative burden attached to compliance with hours-of-service regulations and inspection rules.

Explaining the benefits of the technology to drivers and showing the support of company leadership can help facilitate the implementation. To avoid financial and point penalties, encourage both company leaders and drivers to embrace ELD use with these best practices:

  1. Organize a formal training process. Drivers may be anxious about using an unfamiliar technology. Lessen the tension by gathering all drivers together for a face-to-face training session. Demystify the process by demonstrating proper ELD usage with an actual device during the training and encourage drivers to ask questions. Providing sufficient information and support will help drivers become comfortable with the new system and encourage them to take advantage of its benefits.
  1. Differentiate training for employees. Drivers must learn how to use ELDs, but the back office needs to understand how the technology works too. Ensure office staff understands the data ELDs provide and how to leverage that information. They also should know how to correct mistakes or add missing information if necessary and know that any changes made must be certified by the driver.
  1. Share common violations — and their penalties. Simple solutions can solve most common violations. For ELD compliance, the certification of data is critical. Drivers must certify their ELD and hours-of -service time accumulated at the end of their work trips. Also, enforcement officers may ask drivers to complete data transfers during roadside enforcement activities. Rehearse certification and data transfer procedures during training and repeat these sessions with drivers to ensure they are familiar with the processes. Emphasize the importance of following all steps by sharing the potential monetary and point penalties for noncompliance.
  1. Reach out to your advisor for help. ELD usage can benefit a transportation company in a variety of ways, especially during renewals. Speak with your advisor about the best way to leverage your ELD data to obtain better insurance coverage.

Contact HUB International’s transportation insurance experts to learn more about electronic logging device compliance.

1 Government of Canada, “Electronic logging devices for commercial drivers and motor carriers,” March 22, 2021.

2 Today’s Trucking, “Provinces differ in ELD enforcement penalties,” February 3, 2023.