An Electronic Logging Device (ELD) is a hardware-and-software system that connects to a truck’s engine data and helps a fleet keep Hours-of-Service (HOS) records accurately.
Instead of relying on handwritten logs, an ELD automatically captures key events, like when the truck starts moving, how long it’s been driving, and where it is. Then turns those events into electronic logs drivers can review and certify.
For fleets, the big advantage is consistency. When the logging process is automated, it’s easier to keep records inspection-ready, spot problems early, and reduce the “paperwork tax” that slows drivers and the back office down.
At its core, an ELD watches a few essential signals from the truck and turns them into a Record of Duty Status (RODS). The device can detect when the engine is on, when the vehicle is in motion, the VIN # of the vehicle being used, engine hours and how far it has traveled. Most systems also capture location points using GPS.
Then the driver uses an app or in-cab display to log in, choose duty statuses when needed (Off Duty, Sleeper Berth, On Duty Not Driving), and certify the day’s logs. In the background, the back office can review logs, manage exceptions, and respond to compliance issues.
If you keep this mental model in mind, engine data + motion + location + driver certification + back-office oversight then you’ll understand how every ELD system works.
An ELD starts by connecting to the truck through the diagnostic port. Once connected, it reads the signals needed for logging. That’s how the system knows when the engine is powered on, when the truck is moving, and how many miles and engine hours have accumulated. The 5 items the ELD needs to get are:
This connection is the foundation of ELD accuracy. When the device is synced to the truck, you’re not asking a driver to manually “remember” driving time. The ELD is capturing the activity directly from the vehicle.
A big reason ELDs exist is to remove the guesswork from “when did driving start?” and “when did it stop?” ELDs automatically detect driving and create drive-time events without the driver needing to do anything.
Once the truck is moving, the ELD records that motion as driving. When the truck stops, the ELD records the stop as well. This is what creates the backbone of a clean, consistent daily log.
Drivers still matter in this process, though. They’re responsible for logging into the system, selecting the right duty status when they’re not driving, and certifying that the log is accurate.
ELDs don’t just record “driving happened.” They also record when it happened and where it happened, using time stamps and location points.
That matters for two reasons.
First, it gives roadside officials what they need to verify compliance without reading through messy handwritten notes. Second, it gives fleets better visibility into operations. Where delays happen, where drivers are held up, and how routes actually play out over time.
Most fleets don’t want a system that only compliance people can understand. Drivers need to use it every day, often under pressure, often tired, and often in less-than-perfect conditions.
That’s why driver workflow matters so much.
In a typical ELD setup, the driver logs in using a phone, tablet, or in-cab display. From there, they can review the log, make guided edits when appropriate, and certify their logs. If the system is designed well, drivers can do the basics quickly without hunting through menus or second-guessing what to press next.
Drivers create logs, but fleets manage compliance. That’s where the portal side of an ELD matters.
A good back-office workflow helps your team spot issues early, before they become violations. Instead of discovering problems at the end of the week or during an audit, fleets can watch for patterns and act fast: uncertified logs, potential HOS issues, DVIR gaps, or documentation problems.
This is also where fleets standardize how they handle edits, certifications, and internal processes. The goal isn’t “more admin work.” The goal is fewer surprises.
When a driver is inspected, the ELD needs to provide the required HOS records and supporting data. ELD systems are built to support data transfer for inspections, so officials can review the records in a consistent format.
From a fleet perspective, the practical takeaway is simple: your logs should be easy to produce, easy to review, and consistent across drivers. That’s how you keep roadside inspections from turning into a time drain.
Most ELD frustrations don’t come from the concept of electronic logging. They come from workflow problems.
One common issue is driver usability. If drivers struggle to certify logs, fix mistakes, or understand what the system is telling them, the result is uncertified logs and compliance fire drills. This can lead to several drivers overwhelming a fleet manager with questions and frustrations if not properly trained.
Another issue is planning pressure. When dispatch and drivers don’t have a clear view of available hours, fleets can fall into last-minute rushing. That’s when mistakes happen: rushed routes, rushed stops, rushed log reviews.
Finally, fleets run into trouble when they treat the ELD as “just a logbook” instead of a tool that can reduce paperwork across the whole operation. If your ELD can also support DVIR workflows and document capture, it can reduce the number of separate apps and manual steps your drivers deal with.
A lot of vendors talk about ELDs as if the only goal is meeting the mandate. For fleets, compliance is the baseline. The real value comes when the same system helps reduce paperwork and improves visibility.
That looks like:
Shorter driver workflows, so drivers spend less time in the app and more time doing the job.
Cleaner back-office processes, so staff aren’t chasing missing logs and missing inspections.
Better operational visibility, so dispatch decisions are based on what’s actually happening instead of assumptions.
Blue Ink Technology builds tools for trucking fleets that want less paperwork and more visibility.
BIT ELD and BIT Dashcam makes electronic logbooks easier for drivers with a simple app experience: Available Hours clocks, one-tap log certification, guided log editing, in-app Help/Knowledge Base, and night mode.
It also supports real operations with split sleeper calculations (when drivers take a qualifying break), co-driver/team driving support, and a recap/planner to help drivers plan ahead. To cut paperwork, drivers can use paperless DVIR (with reminders), fuel receipt uploads to support IFTA workflows, and document capture in the app/portal.
For the office, BIT ELD provides dashboard visibility and alerts for HOS violations, uncertified logs, DVIR issues, and maintenance tasks, plus access to ELD logbooks, historical route maps, the FMS dashboard, and a driver details planner.
For IFTA workflows, BIT ELD captures in-state miles with GPS and odometer readings at state lines, supports estimating MPG using fuel receipts, and offers filters with CSV/PDF exports. BIT IFTA does not calculate state tax rates.
Hardware options include 9-pin, 6-pin, and OBD-II adapters for heavy-duty Class 7–8 and hotshot/medium-duty trucks and vans. It’s BYOD, Bluetooth 5.0, and plug-and-play, installs in minutes, is DOT-registered since 2017, and is built/tested in Huntington, WV with a 1-year Manufacturer’s Warranty.
How does an ELD know when a driver is actually driving?
An ELD connects to the truck and detects vehicle motion from the CAN Bus. When the truck is moving, the system records driving time automatically and builds the driving portion of the electronic log without the driver having to manually start or stop a timer.
Do drivers still have to do anything if the ELD logs automatically?
Yes. Drivers still log in, select the correct duty status when they’re not driving, review the record, and certify their logs. An ELD reduces manual logging, but it doesn’t remove driver responsibility.
What data does an ELD record for HOS logs?
ELDs record key operating data such as engine power status through RPMs, vehicle motion, miles driven, engine hours, VIN # and location points. That information is used to create an inspection-ready Record of Duty Status (RODS).
How do fleets use ELD data in the back office?
Fleets use ELD portals to review logbooks, track certifications, and watch for issues like HOS violations or uncertified logs. The goal is to fix problems early rather than discovering them during an audit or inspection.