California Intrastate ELD Mandate: What You Need to Know

Effective January 1, 2024, intrastate motor carriers and drivers in California are required to use an electronic logging device (ELD) to record a driver's record of duty status (RODS), according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). This includes those operating in intrastate commerce.

California ELD law on Intrastate Electronic Logging Devices

California ELD Requirements

California is falling in line with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) ELD mandate for interstate motor carrier(s) and interstate driver(s) and will require intrastate commercial drivers to use ELDs instead of paper logbooks, starting on January 1, 2024. Drivers required to keep a logbook to comply with hours of service rules must do so using an electronic logging device listed on the FMCSA list of self-certified devices, with a few key ELD exemptions. How can you make sure your fleet is ready for the change in Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations?

What is the California ELD intrastate mandate? 

In the state of California, intrastate drivers must accurately track their hours of service (HOS) in order to remain compliant. Currently, they are allowed to do so using paper logs – however, starting on January 1, 2024, the state will align with the FMCSA’s ELD mandate, which “is intended to help create a safer work environment for drivers, and make it easier and faster to accurately track, manage, and share records of duty status (RODS) data. An ELD synchronizes with a vehicle engine to automatically record driving time, for easier, more accurate hours of service (HOS) recording.”

This is not a change to the HOS rules, simply a change in how HOS will be recorded and documented. According to the California Highway Patrol’s (CHP) Notice of Proposed Regulation, “The actions will enhance the safe operation of motor vehicles and increase the competitiveness of California carriers by eliminating or modifying, to the extent possible, regulations which conflict with updated federal regulations, reducing negative impacts on businesses.”

Who is exempt from the California ELD intrastate mandate?

Several exemptions exist from the new California ELD intrastate mandate. Drivers under these exemptions can still continue using a paper log book:

• Commercial drivers operating a CMV driveaway-towaway operation
• Commercial drivers operating a CMV to transport a motor vehicle or an empty or unladen vehicle
• Commercial drivers operating a CMV manufactured before model year 2000, or a CMV manufactured in model year 2000 or newer that has an engine replacement predating model year 2000
• Drivers not operating a CMV more than 8 days in a 30-day period

How are the FMCSA ELD mandate and the California intrastate ELD mandate different?

There are a few ways in which the FMCSA and California ELD regulations differ. Drivers must understand and acknowledge these differences to stay informed.

What are some ELD-related roadside violations in California?

Now that California is implementing an ELD intrastate mandate, it’s important to understand how and why your drivers can be fined for being in violation of this mandate. There are certain ELD rules and regulations that they will need to follow in order to be in compliance with this new mandate.

The California ELD Intrastate mandate can penalize drivers in the following instances:

• Their vehicle is required to have an ELD but doesn’t
• Their ELD can’t be viewed from outside the vehicle
• The driver has been operating a vehicle with a malfunctioning ELD for more than eight days
• The driver failed to record an ELD malfunction or notify the carrier in writing within 24 hours
• The driver doesn’t know how to transfer ELD data to the FMCSA Web Service – California only accepts the telematic method of transfer
• The driver doesn’t have blank logbook pages – or instructions for operating the ELD – in case of a malfunction 
• The driver failed to present the ELD cab card to enforcement
• The driver failed to verify the accuracy of the information gathered by the ELD
• The driver failed to manually add the shipping document number

How can I avoid California ELD mandate violations?

Thankfully, the FMCSA has a list of approved ELD providers to help you comply with the ELD requirement and avoid penalties.

ELDs can also provide additional benefits for your fleet management, apart from simply keeping you compliant, such as:

• Tracking idling and reducing fuel costs
• Tracking driver behavior to improve safety
• Analyzing fleet data to improve operational efficiency
• Automating fuel tax reporting
• Improving fleet uptime by tracking diagnostic data

To learn more about the benefits, visit our ELD Solution page.