Canadian ELD certification: what fleet managers need to know

Here are answers to common questions about Canada's Electronic Logging Device (ELD) requirements, including processes, deadlines, compliance, and applications.

When was the deadline for Canada’s ELD certification?

The Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA) set January 1, 2023 as the date carriers must use an ELD to record hours of service (HoS). A soft enforcement period began in June 2021. Since the deadline passed, carriers that do not use a certified ELD face penalties.

Learn more about recording hours of service.

How does ELD certification in Canada differ from the U.S.?

Canada requires third-party certification. An accredited organization tests the ELD against the Canadian technical standard before it can be sold or installed. In the U.S., the manufacturer self-certifies the ELD and registers it with the FMCSA, with no third-party testing step.

This difference matters if you run cross-border routes: check that your ELD appears on both Transport Canada's list and the FMCSA registry.

What is the purpose of the Canadian ELD certification?

The Government of Canada has opted for a third-party certification process to ensure higher compliance. This way, ELD providers must pay to have their solution tested and certified by an approved and accredited body. Third-party certification attempts to protect carriers from falsified ELDs and ensure an independent authority has validated that the ELD complies with technical requirements.

Who can certify an ELD in Canada?

ELD hardware and software must be tested and certified by a third-party certification body accredited by the Minister of Transport. For a complete list of accredited certification bodies, visit the Transport Canada website Open in new window.

How do I check whether an ELD is certified in Canada?

Search Transport Canada's list of certified ELDs Open in new window for the exact device and software version. Then confirm the provider meets the CCMTA Technical Standard Open in new window and the Commercial Vehicle Drivers Hours of Service Regulations Open in new window.

For questions about your own fleet's situation, contact the Transport Canada site Open in new window or your provincial authority.

What must a Canadian ELD do?

Before choosing an ELD, you should check with your device provider to ensure the device meets regulatory requirements and technical standards and has been certified by an accredited certification body. For the complete technical standard for ELDs, please refer to the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators’ Canadian Technical Standard for ELDs Open in new window.

How often must Canadian ELDs be retested?

Every ELD is recertified each year, with at least 25% of tests repeated. Recertification is performed by one of the three accredited certification bodies (AB, ON, QC) Open in new window, and providers complete software updates to meet certification requirements.

What are the penalties for not using a certified ELD?

According to the Canadian government Open in new window, penalties for non-compliance include fines or out-of-service orders after multiple offenses. ELD non-compliance fines in Ontario Open in new windowcan range between $250 for HoS non-compliance and $20,000 for federal violations. 

What changes for driver using a Canadian-certified ELDs?

The ELD records HoS, Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIRs) and roadside inspection data automatically. This reduces driver errors and improves data accuracy.

1. Drivers sign in to their logbook account at the start of each shift.
2. The ELD starts logging required data automatically.
3. Drivers monitor their current status and print or send reports for inspections.

Allow some time for drivers to learn the workflow.

Is Geotab's ELD solution certified in Canada? 

Yes. Geotab appears on Transport Canada's list of certified ELDs Open in new window, and Geotab Drive is certified for ELD mandates in Canada (Transport Canada) and the United States (FMCSA). We complete testing every year to maintain our place on the list. Read more about our certification.

What ELD features does Geotab offer for Canadian fleets?

The Geotab ELD solution pairs the GO7, GO8, GO9 and GO9+ devices with the Geotab Drive app for Android and iOS.

Roadside data transfer by email: Drivers enter an email address and optional comments in the Drive app. The recipient receives an encrypted email with the driver's compliance logs for the retention period (usually 7 to 14 days, depending on the ruleset) as CSV and PDF files. Check the details for ELD implementation.

How do ELD providers get certified in Canada?

Providers build the features required by the technical standard, pay a fee to the certification body, and test hundreds of real-world use cases. They then retest every year to stay certified. We follow this process so you can rely on a certified solution. Geotab is committed to ensuring we have a solution that complies with Canadian regulations to support our customers.