Canadian Electronic Logging Device Mandate FAQs

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.  Read this blog for more details on the difference between the U.S. and Canadian mandate rules.

Q. What is the compliance date for Canada's ELD mandate?

A. The mandate was effective on June 12, 2021. An educational/progressive enforcement period started on June 12, 2021, and is currently running through June 12, 2022. This means that federally-regulated carriers will need to equip their vehicles with ELDs by that date.

There are two provinces — Alberta and Manitoba — that may start issuing warnings in December 2021.

Q. Who must comply with Canada's ELD mandate?

A. Federally regulated carriers based in Canada that are not exempt must comply with the ELD mandate.

U.S.-based carriers operating into Canada are also subject to Canada's ELD mandate. As a result, U.S.-based carriers must use certified ELDs when operating into Canada.

Q. What does it mean when the ELD rule states that Canada requires third-party certification of ELDs?

A. A person or an entity can apply to Canada's Minister of Transport for accreditation as an ELD certification entity. The person or entity must:

• Verify that they meet the International Organization for Standardization standard ISO/IEC 17065, "Conformity assessment — Requirements for bodies certifying products, processes, and services";
• Verify that they are knowledgeable about the ELD Technical Standard; and
• Confirm the validity of their certification methodology.

Accreditations are valid for five years.

ELD providers submit their devices to the person or entity for testing and certification. A list of certified ELD providers will be posted on Transport Canada's website. There are currently three certification bodies: FPInnovations, CSA Group, and COM Driver Tech.

Q. Will FMCSA self-certified ELDs count as certified for Canada?

A. No. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires ELD providers to self-certify that their devices meet U.S. regulations. This is not the same as a third-party certification and is not accepted in Canada.

Q. With the adoption of the ELD mandate in Canada, were there any changes to the hours-of-service limits?

A. No. The hours-of-service limits remain the same. Transport Canada made technical amendments to the regulation, which involved clarifying the on-duty time definition, loosening up the 160-km log exemption recordkeeping requirements (although the individual jurisdictions can require more detailed recordkeeping), and updating the definition of a commercial motor vehicle. Transport Canada also more clearly defined what constitutes a supporting document under the regulation, but none of these updates affect hours-of-service limits.

Q. Will U.S. carriers that operate into Canada be required to comply with Canada's ELD mandate?

A. Yes. While many of Canada's technical specifications are nearly identical to the U.S. ELD specifications, Canada differs in a few areas. This means that U.S. carriers operating into Canada will need to comply with those differences. For example, U.S. carriers into Canada will need to ensure their ELD providers have secured third-party certification of their ELDs, and again, that drivers are using only certified ELDs when operating into Canada.

General Canada HOS FAQs

Q. Which cycle should a U.S.-based driver choose when operating into Canada?

A. Many carriers operating into Canada from the U.S. choose the 70 hour/7 day cycle because it is closest to the cycles in the United States. Generally, U.S. drivers operating into Canada under the 70 hour/7 day rule will be in compliance if they are in compliance with either the 60 hour/7 day or 70 hour/8 day cycles in the United States, as these cycles are more restrictive.

Q. Does Canada have regulations specific to passenger carriers?

A. The Canadian hours of service regulations do not differentiate between property-carrying and passenger-carrying carriers.

Q. Does the requirement to have 24 hours off duty at some point within the previous 14 days apply to U.S. drivers?

A. Yes. Upon entering Canada, a U.S. driver should be prepared to show at least 24 consecutive hours of off-duty time at some point within the previous 14 days.

Q. Must U.S. drivers operating into Canada present the previous 14 days' worth of logs?

A. Yes. U.S. drivers must carry or display 14 days' worth of logs while in Canada.

Q. When operating in Canada and using the vehicle as a personal conveyance, must a U.S.-based driver comply with Canada's personal use limits?

A. Yes, while in Canada, Canada's personal use provisions apply. Drivers are limited to 75 kilometers of personal use travel per day, the vehicle must be empty, and trailers must be unhitched. The starting/ending odometer readings of the personal use must also be recorded on the daily log.

Upon entering Canada from the U.S., if the driver's use of personal conveyance in the U.S. does not meet Canada's requirements, it will result in the time being changed to on-duty time or driving time and the on-duty time/driving time/cycle and will be recalculated accordingly. Enforcement will not consider the log falsified due to the change, as the record was true and correct when the driver was in the United States. Learn more about Canada's personal conveyance rule here.

This article was initially published in July 2019 and was updated on 12/11/2020 and 10/25/2021.