Personal ELD for Logging, No Company ELD's

You can use your own, depending on company policy.

If you are truly local and exempt from logging you need to meet criteria.
1. No more than 12 hour shift. Work longer than 12 hours, you must log.
2. Don't exceed the 100 air mile radius.
3. Company must keep records of time.

If you do qualify, you can still go outside those requirements 8 days in any rolling 30 days and just paper log without needing an ELD.

That said, if you are running a full ELD that connects to the ECM and follows all regs for ELD's it will have to be able to connect to the truck. It will also be very grumpy if it's not always used because it will detect all non-ELD movement and ask about it. If you are using a simple Electronic Logger (smartphone app) you will need to be able to print your logs on demand on the side of the road

 

Google ELD App (or use app store)
I just did a search. Two top names came up.
Keep Truckin
Big Road

Good luck

 

Well, it depends on the ELD. Ones like Omnitracs or Peoplenet are "built in" yes. Ones like Rand Mcnally that plug into the diagnostic port can be moved between trucks fairly easy. The biggest problem is most (but not all) have a monthly fee, even if it's not used. Your best bet would be looking into one of the non-subcription ones like Garmin eLog. This is where you can PM @Dieselboss as he sells ELD's and can match up your requirements with what's out there.

Problem with an "ELD app" is they are elctronic logs, not ELD's that hook up to the ECM of the truck. While most do sell an ELD component to go with the electronic log, by itself one would also need to carry around a printer as one needs to be able to print on demand as this is seen in the law as no different than a paper log. Some LEO's require a physical copy of the logs.

 

If it’s less then 8 days you can use paper or the old style recorder type log on a smart device

 

Where do you think the ecm goes too? It goes to the same port, there were logs on a tablet or computer, whether they are still available or not I don't know, just run a paper log, soon it will be a lost skill. I see new drivers freaking out if the ELD doesn't work

 

Before the ELD mandate, I used KeepTruckin as my personal electronic logbook. It’s as valid as paper logs, if that’s what you’re looking for.

 

The print requirement has been changed. Logging apps like KeepTruckin can transmit logs by several methods. Open the app to inspection mode, choose transmit logs and enter the appropriate information, press send.
To be a qualified ELD, it needs to be electronically connected to the ECM of the vehicle. If not, it will operate in manual mode, just like a paper log.

 

Not per the guidance. If it's not connected to an ECM, it must be able to print on demand.

Question 28: May a driver use a computer, tablet, or smartphone (that is not an Automatic On-Board Recording Device) to create, electronically sign, and store the record of duty status (RODS)?

Guidance:

Yes. A driver may make manual duty-status entries to a computer, tablet, or smartphone program that is used to generate the graph grid and entries for the record of duty status (RODS) or log book, provided the electronically-generated display (if any) and output includes the minimum information required by §395.8 and is formatted in accordance with that section. The driver must sign the RODS (manually or electronically) at the end of each 24-hour period to certify that all required entries are true and correct.

1. If electronic signatures are not used:

• The driver must print and manually sign the RODS daily.
• The driver must have in his or her possession the printed and signed RODS for the prior seven consecutive days (if required on those days).
• The driver should be given an opportunity to print and manually sign the current day’s RODS at the time of the inspection.

1. If RODS have been electronically signed:

• At the time of an inspection of records by an enforcement official, the driver may display the current and prior seven days RODS to the official on the device’s screen.
• If the enforcement official requests printed copies of the RODS, the driver must be given an opportunity to print the current and prior seven days RODS (if required on those days) at the time of inspection.