Safety Spotlight: HOS and ELDs

annaviergutz
Apr 30
2 min read

Updated: May 2

With the upcoming CVSA International Roadcheck scheduled for May 13 - 15, now is the time to ensure your fleet is prepared, especially with this year’s driver focus on Hours-of-Service (HOS) compliance.

HOS regulations exist to protect road safety by limiting how long commercial drivers can be on the road without rest. These rules are designed to reduce fatigue-related crashes by giving drivers the opportunity to take adequate rest breaks and off-duty time.

To stay compliant, drivers must accurately track their duty statuses in their driver logs. Failing to maintain or falsifying these records doesn’t just lead to fines—it can result in driver out-of-service violations or even prosecution.

What Inspectors Look For

During the driver inspection portion, CVSA officers review:

The driver’s CDL
A valid medical examiner’s certificate
Their record of duty status (RODS)
Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse status
Seat belt usage
Any signs of alcohol or drug impairment

If any violations are found, the driver may be placed out of service on the spot, sidelining both driver and vehicle until resolved.

Top HOS Violations to Avoid

Some of the most common violations include:

Exceeding the maximum driving hours
Not taking the required 30-minute break
Failing to maintain 7 days of logs
Falsified duty status entries
Incomplete or outdated ELD information

How to Prevent HOS Violations

Regularly audit your ELD system. Ensure that your driver listings and profiles match their licenses and personal details exactly, especially when a driver updates their CDL or changes states.
Keep your ELD data accurate and accessible. Drivers should know how to access and transfer ELD data quickly during inspections.
Use digital driver file management software. Not all ELD systems are created equal. Some come equipped with extensive features beyond basic logging. Tools like digital libraries can house and organize essential documents like CDLs, med cards, and training records in one secure location, including tools to digitally house and manage driver files. This ensures drivers always have access to current, compliant documentation, helping prevent violations during inspections.
Automate driver reporting to continuously coach on HOS issues. Superior ELD systems offer robust reporting and analytics that help you track and address trends. Tools like Driver Scorecards allow fleet managers to monitor HOS violations and other performance metrics in real time, making it easier to coach drivers before small issues become costly problems.

Be Inspection-Ready

By keeping driver data current, logs complete, documents accessible, and continuously coaching your driver, you give your team the tools they need to succeed and stay on the road. A proactive approach to HOS and ELD compliance not only avoids costly violations but also demonstrates your commitment to safety and professionalism.