ELD Mandate Comparison: Canada and the U.S.

Learn about the notable differences between the Canadian and US mandate rules.

Published On: 07/05/2019
Canadian transport insight from J. J. Keller
J. J. Keller Editor Heather Ness

Written by:

Heather Ness

Editorial Content Manager — J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc.

This article was originally published in July 2019 and was updated on 12/11/2020.

Canada’s electronic logging device (ELD) mandate has been in the making for at least six years, and it was finally adopted on June 12, 2019. The mandate is effective for all federally-regulated carriers starting on June 12, 2021.

The Canadian mandate closely follows the U.S. rules and operability requirements, which was a very intentional move by Transport Canada. Regulators and industry knew that Canada’s mandate must closely follow the U.S. rules to avoid disrupting cross-border transportation and the movement of goods across the border.

While the ELD operability requirements are very similar, there are a few notable differences between each country’s regulations. A few of the more prominent differences between the two countries are described below.

ELD Mandate Comparison - Canada vs. United States

 

Canada

United States

Implementation24-month implementation (June 2021), no grandfathering provisionsMandate adopted Dec. 2015; mandate effective Dec. 2017; grandfathering for carriers using AOBRDs ends Dec. 2019
CertificationELD 3rd party certificationELD provider self-certification
ExemptionsLimited exemptions for: drivers operating under a permit or statutory exemption; drivers operating a rental CMV for 30 days or less; drivers operating CMVs manufactured before the year 2000Drivers operating a rental CMV for 8 days or less; pre-2000 exemption is the same as Canada; also, multiple industry/situational exemptions
NotificationsCompliance with the limits must be tracked and driver must be warned 30 minutes before reaching a limitU.S. devices must only record, no warning required
Malfunctions14 days to replace or, if the trip is longer than 14 days, upon return to the terminal; carrier must keep records of malfunctionsUp to 8 days allowed, no recordkeeping requirement
Roadside Inspection EnforcementDisplay or print the record of duty status; email records upon request by enforcement.
Bluetooth/USB transfer is an option, not mandatory
Display or printout or Bluetooth/USB/web/email is required (must transfer using one of 4 methods.)
Email direct to officer is not an option.
North of 60NDevice must have the ability to change when crossing 60N (to Yukon and Northwest Territories)Not applicable

 

Read the Canadian hours of service and electronic logging device mandate FAQs.

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