Clarification on ELD connectivity requirements: What’s needed to comply with mandate

I wrote recently that in its final version of its electronic logging device mandate, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration nixed the requirement that the devices have data or web connectivity, as part of an effort by FMCSA to allow cheaper compliance options.

Compliant devices, per the rule, now must at minimum be equipped only with Bluetooth and a USB 2.0 port, meaning truckers won’t be strapped with paying for monthly subscription charges if they so choose.

But, says Tom Cuthbertson of ELD provider Omnitracs, if operators opt for a device that uses solely local connections like USB and Bluetooth, the device must be equipped with both Bluetooth connectivity and a USB 2.0 port, not one or the other.

The same applies to carriers/drivers who choose a telematics-equipped device: They must be able to transfer data via both a wireless web service and via email.

The reason is, as Cuthbertson told Overdrive and as the rule denotes, drivers must be able to show during roadside inspections both their current 24-hour records and records from the previous 7 days, but it’s up to each state to determine how its enforcers will receive that information from truck operators.

States will be required to receive data transfers via one local connection option and one telematics option, but they won’t be required to have the full suite of connectivity options, Cuthbertson said.

For instance, State A may decide its enforcers can receive data transfers via email and USB 2.0, meaning they won’t be able to receive data via wireless web service or Bluetooth connection.