Get ready for the ELD mandate which will require all drivers to transition to ELDs. If you’re on paper, get ahead of the mandate without adding costs by considering adopting electronic logs or a logging app. It allows drivers to get acquainted with electronic systems while still maintaining the ability to edit logs, something drivers are familiar with when using paper logs.

A well-designed electronic log book should mirror the aesthetic of paper logs — drivers shouldn’t face a steep learning curve. This allows for an intuitive transition from paper logs.

What are the real benefits of electronic logs compared to paper logs?

  1. Like paper logs, they’re fully editable. So if mistakes are made on your hours of service, it’s no problem! You can easily adjust your duty status to reflect the changes.
  2. They save you time. Writing your carrier information each day on your manual log can be cumbersome. With electronic log books, repeated information only needs to be added once, after which the information auto-populates in the future. For drivers, this means less time on paperwork and more time on the road.

How do we slowly transition to an ELD?

Evaluate your electronic provider without financial risk.

Get comfortable with a new system without first investing in ELDs by first trying out electronic log books. Change can be implemented in pieces by starting with a logging app, like the Motive Driver App, which gives everyone a chance to test the software and the vendor’s customer service before buying.

Reduce the learning curve

Making the jump straight from paper logs to an ELD is not always easy. The format isn’t the same — paper logs aren’t editable. However, switching away from paper to an editable electronic version is much easier because drivers still control their hours of service.

How to get started with an electronic logbook

Transition is a chain reaction. We suggest getting a few of your drivers to try an electronic logbook. If they like it and the success rate is high, others will transition from paper logs to electronic. Upgrading to an ELD is simple and can make ELD mandate compliance a breeze.