California intrastate ELD facts, exemptions and help (oh my)
What is the California intrastate ELD mandate?
California intrastate commercial drivers are currently required to record their hours of service (HoS). Through 2023, using paper logs was still permitted. That is no longer the case. California has aligned with the FMCSA’s ELD mandate and Effective January 01, 2024, drivers are not required to do so using electronic logging devices (ELDs).
Enforcement has begun. No soft start or grace period.
Why has California made this change?
California is the last state to adopt an ELD mandate for its intrastate commercial drivers.
According to the California Highway Patrol’s (CHP) Notice of Proposed Regulation, “The actions will enhance the safe operation of motor vehicles and increase the competitiveness of California carriers by eliminating or modifying, to the extent possible, regulations which conflict with updated federal regulations, reducing negative impacts on businesses. This rulemaking will also allow the CHP to remain consistent with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) adopted by the United States Department of Transportation, and addresses inconsistencies and incompatibilities between state and federal regulations.”
How are the California and FMCSA ELD mandates different?
For the most part, the California ELD regulations align with the FMCSA’s ELD mandate. However, there are differences that carriers and drivers traveling through California need to know to avoid violations.
| FMCSA ELD mandate | California ELD mandate |
|---|---|
| Exempts drivers from needing to use an ELD if their movements are within a 150 air-mile radius of the base of their operations. Maximum number of hours worked is 14 hours. | Uses a 100 air-mile radius and a 12-hour limit. Maximum duty period is 12 hours. |
| Mandatory 30-minute rest break after 8 hours of driving. Non-exempt drivers may only drive 11 of the 14 hours. | No 30-minute rest break requirement. Non-exempt drivers may drive 12 hours of the 16 hours on-duty for trucks. 15 hours for bus operators. |
| May extend duty period up to 2 hours. (16-hour exemption. Can be invoked once in each 34-hour reset cycle.) | May extend driving period up to 2 hours, but not the duty period. |
What are some exemptions under the California ELD mandates?
Not every fleet, truck, driver or trip are subject to California’s ELD mandate.
- Drivers operating a CMV driveway towaway operation.
- Drivers operating a CMV to transport a motor vehicle, or an empty or unladen vehicle.
- Drivers operating a CMV manufactured before model year 2000, or a CMV manufactured in model year 2000 (or newer) but with an engine replacement predating model year 2000.
- Drivers not operating a CMV more than 8 days in a 30-day period.
What are some common ELD-related roadside issues to prevent?
Know today’s most common roadside violations so you can prepare your fleet to avoid as many as possible.
- Vehicle is required to have an ELD but doesn’t.
- ELD can’t be viewed from outside the vehicle.
- Driver is operating a vehicle with a malfunctioning ELD for more than 8 days.
- Driver failed to note malfunction of ELD and notify carrier in writing within 24 hours.
- Driver doesn’t know how to transfer ELD data to the FMCSA Web Service. (California only accepts the telematic method of transfer.)
- Driver doesn’t have blank logbook pages in case of a malfunction or instructions for operating the ELD.
- Driver failed to present ELD cab card to enforcement.
- Driver failed to certify the accuracy of the information gathered by the ELD.
- Driver failed to manually add shipping document number.
Work with Zonar to avoid ELD violations.
Given the California’s sizable geography and volume of intrastate commercial vehicles, having this sector of the industry move exclusively to ELDs has been an undertaking. Implementing ELDs and training drivers to use it properly takes time, which makes choosing the right provider with the right technology important.
Drivers and fleet managers need time to familiarize themselves with the solution so they can avoid simple violations. Now that enforcement has begun, reducing training time has become more important.
Zonar Logs™, our proven ELD solution, already supports the California Intrastate ruleset today to help California fleets comply with the state’s ELD mandate. Plus, our safety and compliance experts know the ins and outs of this regulation. Work with them to determine next steps for ensuring your fleet complies.
If you’re currently a Zonar customer, our experts are already here to help. If you’re not currently a Zonar customer, schedule your complimentary consultation.
Also ask about complying with California’s new Clean Truck Check program, which will start being enforced in January 2025 as well. While you’re at it, determine which Zonar vehicle health solutions are ideal for maintaining peak, efficient operating condition.