June 12, 2021 will be here soon – are you ready?
The Canadian government’s mandate that all fleets utilize electronic logging devices will begin this summer and it’s important to keep some things in mind.
First of all, the COVID-19 Pandemic has created some leeway when it comes to getting ELD devices installed and operational.
On March 2, Transport Minister Omar Alghabra issued a statement noting that
The impact of Covid-19 on commercial vehicle operations has been unprecedented and must be acknowledged. As such, with the support of provinces and territories, and in consultation with industry, we will work together on the successful and effective implementation of a progressive enforcement period. This will give sufficient time for industry to obtain and install certified electronic logging devices without penalty as of June 12, 2021. Early enforcement measures will consist of education and awareness.
Second, while motor carriers are urged to adopt ELD products as soon as possible, there are not officially certified devices yet that fleet managers can implement.
While this does presently create a concern, a phased in approach is the only reasonable way to allow the mandate to take effect according to the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada (PMTC).
With no certified devices currently on Transport Canada’s list of approved devices, this is the only reasonable way to move forward. The extra time will allow more ELD [suppliers] to prepare and submit for certification, and provide carriers more time to pick from an adequate list of approved devices.
Third, there are additional enforcement concerns that haven’t been resolved which may lead to confusion. Many provincial governments don’t have laws in effect to complement the federal ELD mandate. This means that additional enforcement may take even longer to come into being at the local levels even after the June 12th deadline. It has also been noted that federal motor carrier inspectors have not been trained on how to do road side validation yet as no devices have been officially approved.
Fourth, and last, there are some significant certification costs for manufacturers that will likely limit the number of ELD devices and solutions available at the start of the mandate.
According to the trade website TruckingInfo.com;
Informed estimates suggest that only about 10 to 15% of the ELD suppliers currently producing product for the U.S. market will even attempt to certify in Canada. That will leave somewhere between 25 and 50 devices potentially certified in the early stages. And since ELD certification is device specific, suppliers producing several devices may narrow the range of product they choose to certify.
With all this to consider, it’s important you address your ELD mandate obligations with a proven company offering established devices and services. GPS to GO can help you with the Geotab service and product line which will be available for ELD mandate compliance at some point in 2021.
Watch this video to learn more about what to consider when selecting your mandated ELD products and services.