July 16, 2019.
OSCAR BERNARD
The Canadian Council of Motor Transportation (CCMTA) has rolled out a Mandate in June this year, that all Commercial Carriers must use Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) by June 12, 2021. This Mandate means that DOT Inspectors will not only issue a citation or hefty Tickets but place the Non-Compliant Vehicles Out of Service with effect from June 2021.
The clear Objective behind this new Mandate is to Improve Safety for Drivers and all Canadians and save on Paperwork expenses. This Mandate by CCMTA states that the Fleet Operators must capture Driver’s Hours of Service (HOS) with an Electronic Logging Device instead of entering Manually. The usage of Electronic Records will ensure Data Accuracy for the HOS record and create a safe work environment for the Drivers. The Automatic register will help the Canadian Cross-Border Truckers immensely as they will comply with the HOS Regulations while traveling International. They will also come to know whether they have any concerns about the Violations in advance. The ELD Compliant Carriers will be beneficial for the Fleet Companies as they can utilize their Fleeting Operations to its full capacity with drastically reduced downtime. This revolutionary ELD Mandate for the Fleet Industry will bring Transparency, a significant Increase in Efficiency and Accelerate its Scale of Operation.
To make sure the Fleet Companies get adequate time, the next 24 months will be the soft enforcement period for a Smooth Transition to ELD.
With the announcement of Canada’s long-awaited Electronic Logging Device rule, the few ahead of the Curve, players in the Trucking Industry already initiated their Transition resulting in spiraling the demand for ELD. The market is getting flooded with Certified and questionable ELD Devices that do not comply with the Mandate. The Fleet Companies need to choose the right equipment, which is accredited by the Regulatory Authorities and adopt a Fully Compliant one. So now is the time to explore the ELD Devices and find out the solution which will work best for your Fleet.
For those who are still hesitant to take a step, right now, let’s also hear unmediated versions on these Regulations. Michael J DuFour , from the Central Region Facility Audit Unit, Ministry of Transportation, Ontario, took a few minutes out of his busy schedule for a quick interview on Canada ELD Mandate with our correspondent.
Thank-you Officer DuFour for your time to answer our questions related to the announcement that Electronic Log Devices (ELD) will be Mandatory in Canada by June 12, 2021.
You are very welcome.
Now that we have a Date for the Mandatory usage of ELDs in Canada, how will that affect Canadian Drivers and the Companies they work for?
Well, in the United States of America, the Mandatory use of an ELD was implemented on December 18, 2017. On April 1, 2018, is when the Enforcement of the ELD Requirement commenced, which included the Out of Service Criteria, initiated through the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance. In Canada, the Amendments to the Motor Vehicle Transport Act and the Commercial Vehicle Drivers Hours of Service Regulations (SOR/2005-313) related to the Mandatory use of an ELD received Royal Assent on June 12, 2019. Unlike the United States of America, Transport Canada is allowing 24 months for Compliance. Enforcement of the Mandatory ELD in Canada will commence on June 12, 2021.
Do the Canadian Requirements for an ELD have a similarity with the USA Requirements?
From a technical perspective, Transport Canada has adopted the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA) Technical Standards. This means if you are already Operating with an ELD
because the company you drive for functions in the USA, then more than likely you have an ELD that
will meet the Transport Canada Technical Standard. However, your ELD must be Compliant with the
Canadian Hours of Service Rules, so you will need to check with your device provider to determine if
a software upgrade is required.
It is important to note that if you are using, for example, a TXT ELD your Device will meet the
Transport Canada Technical Standard and the Canada Hours of Service Rules.
In your experience with ELDs, I know this is a bit of a direct question, but what is your opinion of the TXT E Solutions Inc ELD?
Of all the ELD systems I have interacted with, during a Facility Audit and at the Roadside, I find
the TXT E Solutions Inc to be the best system on the market available. I always find that Drivers,
as well as the Safety and Compliance personnel, are still able to explain the Policy and provide for
us all the information that we need.
I also like the TXT ELD Device because a Canadian Company makes it for the Commercial Vehicle
Industry.
Thank-you Officer DuFour for the Valuable information and thank-you for your time today.
You are once again, very welcome. I am providing to your readers the following Questions and Answers related to the Transport Canada ELD Requirement on the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA) Website.
https://www.ccmta.ca/en/canadian-eld-standard/canadian-eld-standard-faq-sSo, you made your mind to prepare your Fleet for the Switch?
TXT ELD is Compliant with the Mandate. It is an Integrated Solution for capturing an Automated Elogs and Connect with all Dispatching Collaborators by providing them with Real-Time Data. TXT ELD helps in generating Vehicle Telematics Data, GPS Tracking, Vehicle Visibility, Cloud-Based Dashcams, and many more.
If you have any Queries about TXT ELD, call 1-905-362- 1716 or Email us at [email protected]. Our 24/7 Customer Support Team is always available to help you.