Canadian ELD Mandate

Required records for your electronic log book

The following information needs to be recorded through an electronic logging device (ELD):

Date and start time (if it's not midnight)
Driver ID number
The cycle that the driver is following
The commercial vehicle's licence plates and the unit number or trailer number, if applicable
The names and the addresses of the motor carrier's home terminal
The main place of business where the driver worked or stayed during that day
A description of the vehicle's location if the device does not automatically record it
Any deferral of off-duty time
Any notes you need to add to complete the record

The Canadian ELD mandate is intended to aid in reducing driver weariness, preventing collisions, and ultimately increasing road safety since commercial driver drowsiness is one of the most frequent causes of traffic accidents in Canada.

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Who must use an electronic log book (ELD)

If you are currently required to complete a daily log to record your hours of service, you must use a certified ELD. Drivers of the following categories of vehicles are subject to the hours-of-service rules:

Commercial motor vehicles having gross weight or registered gross weight over 4,500 kilograms
Commercial motor vehicles that can accommodate more than ten passengers, including the driver

When drivers must use an ELD

The ELD mandate took effect on June 12, 2021, with a deadline for full implementation of January 1, 2023. After this date, commercial operators that don't record their service hours electronically will be deemed non-compliant and fined.

Do you also track business kilometres for vehicle reimbursement? See our CRA mileage guide on recording and deducting business-related vehicle expenses according to CRA rules.

The Canadian ELD mandate exemptions

Commercial motor vehicles will be exempt if:

They are working for a motor carrier under a permit
They are driving a commercial motor vehicle within a radius of 160 kilometres of the home terminal
They are driving a rented commercial motor vehicle for 30 days or less and the rental agreement cannot be extended or renewed
They are driving a vehicle that was manufactured before the year 2000
They have a statutory exemption

FAQ

When was the ELD mandate passed?

On June 12, 2021, the Canadian ELD requirement went into effect, and as of that date, all federally regulated motor carriers in Canada were required to use Electronic Logging Devices.

Can truckers still use paper logs?

Truckers are required to record their hours of duty using an electronic logging device (ELD). But if their ELD breaks down, they can only utilise paper logs for a maximum of 14 days—or until they return to their home terminal if the trip is longer than 14 days.