a static filled screen representing an ELD outage

How to Avoid an ELD Outage

You’ve used technology long enough to know that outages happen. Cell towers go down in storms. Your internet won’t connect on a laptop. Things happen. But when your equipment is what keeps your business moving (and legally compliant!), outages must be rare and long outages are unacceptable. Outages Happen, But They Shouldn’t Be Common At[…]

A truck belonging to a safe driver that uses an ELD

ELDs Lead to Better Rested, More Alert, and Safer Drivers

Time is money, but too much time, especially behind the wheel, leads to fatigue and accidents. The good news is that electronic logging devices (ELDs) lead to drivers who get more rest which leads to fewer accidents. Anecdotal Evidence The hard data isn’t available yet on the effectiveness of ELDs, but many in the industry[…]

a fleet using a driver scorecard

Using Driver Scorecards to Improve Your Fleet’s Performance

Name one improvement you’d like to make in your fleet’s performance this year. Is it reduced violations? Lower fuel costs? Fewer equipment replacements? Fewer accidents? Better delivery times? For most fleets, the answer is all of the above. The first place to start is to know how your drivers perform behind the wheel. This is[…]

spreadsheet showing the rise of insurance costs for fleets

Rising Insurance Costs: What Can You Do?

Insurance premiums could increase as much as 20 to 25 percent in 2020, thanks in large part to the extremely high awards being determined by juries against carriers and fleets. With insurance rates on the rise, what can you do? Preparing for Insurance Rate Increases Insurance companies that service the trucking industry have been running[…]

canadian flag representing the canadian ELD

Canadian ELDs and Third Party Certification Requirements

Hopefully by now you’ve heard the big news. Canada recently announced it’s own ELD mandate that will go into effect in June 2021. It is very similar to the American version but with at least one key difference. ELDs will need to go through a third party certification process in order for Canadian drivers and[…]

a fleet manager who just transitioned his fleet away from AOBRDs to an ELD

Fleets Flock to ELDs for Compliance and Added Functionality

Carriers and fleets across the country are beating the December 16 deadline to phase out AOBRDs in favor of electronic logging devices (ELDs). Doing so well in advance of the deadline gives these carriers an advantage over their non-complying competitors and improves fleet functionality. If you haven’t made the switch yet, here’s what you need[…]

The ELD Mandate: Improving Safety Through Technology

The ELD Mandate goes into effect when the AOBRD grandfather provision expires, December 16, 2019. At this point, Phase 3 of the ELD Rule begins. Drivers and Motor Carriers subject to the ELD Rule must use ELDs registered with the FMCSA to remain compliant. How do ELDs Work? ELDs synch with the CMV engine to automatically record:[…]

AOBRD vs. ELD: Do you know the difference?

The ELD Mandate is less than a year away and there have been a lot of questions from drivers and enforcement personnel concerning the difference between grandfathered automatic onboard recording devices (AOBRDs) and electronic logging devices (ELDs). With AOBRDs still in use until December, it can be difficult to distinguish between the two devices. What’s[…]

The ELD Mandate: Don’t wait to transition from AOBRD to ELD

This is an important time in the trucking industry and compliance is vital. Phase 3 of the ELD Rule being implemented is fast approaching and the AOBRD grandfather provision will expire. On December 16, 2019, Drivers and Motor Carriers subject to the ELD Rule must use self-certified ELD’s registered with the FMCSA. Self-Certification is the[…]

a fleet managing unidentified drive time

How to Manage Unidentified Drive Time

One unforeseen consequence of the ELD mandate is the new phenomenon of “unidentified drive time.” An ELD is required to log every mile a truck is driven, even if a driver isn’t assigned to it. This means there are blocks of times in any given day that don’t have a driver assigned. It occurs when[…]

a trucker preparing for the CVSA's annual inspection blitz

CVSA Announces Annual Inspection Blitz

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) announced two annual events to improve road safety among commercial vehicles. The first is the International Roadcheck set for June 5 through June 7, a 72-hour blitz across North America to check driver and commercial vehicle compliance. The second is the annual Operation Safe Driver Week set for July[…]

Gorilla Safety Stevie Awards

Gorilla Safety Recognized as an Industry Leader – Winner of 4 Stevie Awards

Gorilla Safety was honored to receive three gold and one bronze Stevie Awards in the 2018 American Business Awards competition. The gold Stevie Awards were for: Company of the Year in transportation Management Team of the Year for business products New Product or Service of the Year (Software) for mobile on-demand applications. The bronze award[…]

trucks stopped worried about ELD enforcement

ELD Mandate Enforcement Around the Country

With the ELD mandate having gone into effect for most drivers and fleets on December 18, 2017, the next issue to face has been regarding the enforcement of the mandate. Around the country, ELD mandate enforcement varies from state to state. When you cross state lines on your route without a properly installed ELD, you[…]

a truck taking advantage of the 90 day agriculture waiver

The 90 Day Waiver for Agriculture Drivers and Why You Shouldn’t Wait

While the ELD mandate compliance date goes into effect for the majority of drivers on December 18, 2017, agriculture drivers have been given a temporary reprieve recently in the form of a 90-day waiver. While it may sound good to some, a good ELD and fleet management system does so much that it really doesn’t[…]

a small fleet using ELDs

Fleets of All Sizes Can Benefit from an ELD

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), in a last ditch effort, petitioned the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for a five-year exemption for “small business truckers” to delay the ELD implementation. OOIDA may think that small businesses should be exempt but with all the benefits, the system will pay for itself with increased efficiency[…]

ELD checklist

How to Choose the Right ELD

Choosing an ELD system may be one of the most important business decisions you’ll have to make right now. Not only does the electronic logging device have to keep you in compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) but it has to work, be affordable, and not[…]

a fleet of trucks in need of an ELD

Does Your ELD Offer a Full Solution?

  Not every fleet management platform offers an electronic logging device (ELD) system meant to handle the needs small, medium, and large companies. Some don’t take into account certain quirks of the different mandates you have to work within, like the one that says you can have an AOBRD until 2019 — unless you get[…]

truck using Gorilla Safety's AOBRD

Make Your ELD Transition Smoother With Gorilla Safety’s AOBRD

  Every day you’re hit with a new rule or regulation. Failing to follow them can cost your fleet time and money. Complying with a new regulation is stressful, can be costly, and requires getting your entire staff and drivers on board so that no one gets caught out on the road breaking the rules.[…]

a truck using a self certified ELD

Self-Certification and Third Party Reviews Matter in an ELD

Recently we talked to a very large fleet (85,000 employees worldwide) who said they were told that the ELD they were using would not be certified. Some ELD providers and fleets believe self-certification isn’t required. Whether it’s required or not can be debated. What’s not debatable is that every fleet deserves to know that the[…]

a truck that belongs to a fleet that understands that not all EDLs are equal

Not All ELDs are Created Equal

Every company offers a different electronic logging device (ELD product) and fleet management system. That’s almost never a bad thing. Competition breeds innovation, and companies that respond to customer needs and make life easier and more profitable for fleets and businesses, do well. The free market is a beautiful thing. But the trucking industry is[…]

gorilla safety packages

Flexible Packages to Fit Your Needs

Every fleet is a little different; no two are exactly alike. Owner operators with a truck or two don’t have the same needs that a nationwide fleet with hundreds of trucks and drivers has. Small fleets are in the middle, with needs and expectations greater than the single owner operator but without the budget of[…]

ELD compliance

Taking ELD Compliance and Certification Seriously with Help from KPMG

We know that finding the right ELD for your fleet can be a challenge, and going to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website to find certified ELD companies hasn’t been the simplest process. Which company do you choose? How do you know which is the better choice? Are all ELD providers the same?[…]

a gavel representing the ELD mandate ruling

ELD Mandate Upheld by Courts

If you’ve been waiting for a final ruling on whether the ELD Mandate governing the requirement for electronic logging devices (ELDs) would be upheld by the U.S legal system or not, your wait is over. On October 31, the United States Court of Appeals ruled against the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) and unanimously agreed[…]

average cost of ELDs

Average Cost of ELDs

Because they’re regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), electronic logging devices (ELDs) must meet specific requirements, especially if owner-operators and fleets want to be in compliance by December 2017 and December 2019. Every ELD must be able to do specific things and the benefits of an ELD are compelling. However, when you[…]

eld mandate deadline

Owner-Operators: Don’t Wait to Become ELD Compliant

In recent surveys, owner-operators are slowly becoming more comfortable with the idea of electronic logging devices (ELDs) in their trucks but are still waiting to comply with the new ELD mandates. Some are waiting for the settlement of a lawsuit by Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), while others are waiting for the deadline to get[…]

A Canadian Flag flying before electronic logging devices are required in Canada

ELD Mandate Coming to Canada

Back in February 2016, the Canadian government issued a statement that electronic logging devices (ELDs) were coming. Little followed after the initial release, but now we know more thanks to a statement released in June. Over time, Canadian drivers will be required to electronically record their hours of service (HOS) but ELDs have not been[…]

an iphone filled with apps for truckers to use while on the road.

Top Apps for Truckers

A 2013 survey of truck drivers showed that almost 80% use a smartphone and more than 90% download apps to their phone. There’s no doubt that number has grown over the last few years. Even though we use our phones for personal things like email, texting our family, and playing games while we’re in waiting[…]

eld compliant truck

Take the First Steps Towards Becoming ELD Compliant

You’re running a business – and trying to make it a profitable one. You can’t throw money at every new gadget, technology, or process that comes your way. You need to know that it will work first. To top it off, you’ve got new regulations for how your trucks will operate and how you’ll report[…]

calculating how money an ELD saves

How Electronic Logging Devices Can Save You Money

As of December 16, 2017, Electronic Logging Devices become mandatory for commercial trucks as part of a law passed in 2012 by Congress and based on rules and requirements outlined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Before you look at this change as yet another government regulation causing you and your drivers problems,[…]

gavel

The ELD Final Rule – What You Need to Know

In 2012, Congress passed the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) bill requiring the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to create new regulations for the use of Electronic Logging Devices (ELD). They were given until 2015 to enact the Final Rule. The FMCSA announced the provisions of the ELD Final Rule[…]

truck interior

AOBRDs, EOBRs, and ELDs – Which is Right for You?

If you’ve worked in the trucking industry – as a driver, owner, or fleet manager, for any length of time, you’ve heard plenty of acronyms thrown around. Are your HOS accurate for your RODS? Did you get your IFTA done? Now, do you know the difference between an AOBRD, EOBR, and ELD? And, most importantly,[…]

truck stop at night

What is an Electronic Logging Device – and Why Should Your Company Use One?

Simply put, an Electronic Logging Device (ELD) is a system that records a truck driver’s Hours of Service (HOS). The ELD is meant to replace the clunky, outdated paper log that drivers and companies have relied on for so many years. By December 16, 2017, all CDL drivers who keep a Record of Duty Status[…]

fuel truck

Safety Benefits of Using an Electronic Logging Device

The Electronic Logging Device (ELD), a new requirement for commercial drivers, regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), is about to become a reality for millions of drivers across the country. The move to newer technology and away from paper logs used since 1938 is hailed for its many benefits. Besides reducing paperwork[…]

a truck driver that loves our electronic logging device

8 Reasons Why Drivers Love ELDs

You’ve probably heard of electronic on-board recorders (EOBRs) or automatic on-board recording devices (AOBRD). With new technology expected perhapsperhaps you resisted making the change or just wanted to wait until the dust settled and rules were finalized. Whatever the reason, if you’re new to the world of electronic logging devices (ELDs), don’t let a new[…]

vintage truck without an electronic logging device

Everything You Need to Know About Electronic Logging Devices

As of December 2015, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) adopted their Final Rule on Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs). The concept of the ELD was born as part of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) bill passed by Congress back in 2012. The bill mandated that the FMCSA establish rules[…]