ELD audit checklist: close-up of a printed checklist on a clipboard beside an in-cab ELD screen, as a fleet manager reviews logs and checks off items for compliance before inspections.

ELD Audit Checklist (Printable)

If you’ve ever had a roadside inspection turn into a long, awkward delay, you already know why an ELD audit checklist matters. A quick, consistent review helps you catch problems before they become violations, and it keeps drivers from getting blindsided by simple log mistakes.

This guide walks you through a practical, printable ELD audit checklist you can use day-to-day or before an inspection. It’s meant to be clear, realistic, and easy to follow, whether you manage five trucks or fifty. Use this ELD audit checklist as a routine, not a rescue plan, and your logs will start feeling a lot less stressful.

Log Audit Checklist

Start with the basics. Your ELD audit checklist should begin with quick red-flag checks that take minutes but save hours later:

  • Unassigned or unidentified drive time
  • Missing driver certifications for the day
  • Unusual “gaps” (no duty status when the truck moved)
  • Too many edits, especially repeated patterns
  • Incorrect cycle selection (if applicable)

These are the issues that tend to trigger questions during reviews. Catch them early and you’ll spend less time chasing details after the fact.

Related Article: How to Avoid ELD Mistakes and Keep Logs Clean

Compliance Checklist

A strong ELD audit checklist isn’t only about the graph. It’s also about proving you’re running a compliant process. Make sure you can confirm:

  • Driver profile data is accurate (name, licence info if stored, carrier details)
  • Units are assigned correctly to drivers and vehicles
  • Time zone and location settings are correct
  • Malfunctions are documented and addressed
  • Supporting documents match the logged workday when required

Think of this step as “making your system believable.” If the setup is sloppy, even honest logs can look questionable.

Related Article: How to Correct ELD Discrepancies Before Compliance Reviews

Roadside Inspection Prep

When an inspection happens, the goal is simple: respond quickly and confidently. Your ELD audit checklist should include a short “inspection-ready” review for each unit:

  1. Confirm the ELD is mounted, powered, and readable.
  2. Verify the driver knows how to display the current day and prior days.
  3. Ensure the driver can transfer or present logs the way enforcement expects.
  4. Check that any special statuses used that day have notes (as needed).

This part is less about paperwork and more about avoiding fumbling in the moment, because that’s when small issues turn into big delays.

Related Article: Roadside Inspection Violations and How to Avoid Them

Driver Documentation

Even with perfect ELD data, missing documents can still cause trouble. Build your ELD audit checklist around what drivers should have ready and organized, such as:

  • Current registration and insurance
  • Any required permits (where applicable)
  • Company policy notes for special statuses (if your operation uses them)
  • A simple process for reporting ELD problems immediately

Drivers don’t need a filing cabinet in the cab, but they do need a system. A quick “where is it, can you show it?” check goes a long way.

ELD Records Review

This is where your ELD audit checklist earns its keep. Look at the story the logs are telling and ask, “Does this make sense?”

  • Do duty status changes match how the trip likely went (pickup, fuel, scale, delivery)?
  • Are breaks and off-duty periods reasonable and consistent?
  • Are edits explained and acknowledged properly?
  • Do location entries look believable and complete?

If something feels off, ask the driver the same day. Waiting a week turns a simple question into a detective mission.

Printable ELD Audit Checklist For Fleet Compliance Reviews

Here’s a simple version you can print and use daily or weekly. Keep it to one page so it actually gets used.

Daily / Per Driver

  • uncheckedNo unassigned driving time
  • uncheckedDriver certified logs for the day
  • uncheckedNo unexplained duty-status gaps
  • uncheckedSpecial statuses used correctly with notes if needed
  • uncheckedEdits reviewed and driver acknowledged where required

Weekly / Per Unit

  • uncheckedDriver/vehicle assignments correct
  • uncheckedAny malfunctions documented and addressed
  • uncheckedTime zone/location settings verified
  • uncheckedPatterns reviewed (repeat issues, coaching needed)

Use this ELD audit checklist consistently and your compliance reviews will feel far more predictable.

ELD Audit Checklist To Prepare For Dot Inspections

Before a DOT stop happens (or before you run into an enforcement blitz), do a fast “inspection confidence” pass:

  • uncheckedDriver can display and transfer logs without help
  • uncheckedDevice is functioning, charged/powered, and mounted properly
  • uncheckedPrevious days are available and complete
  • uncheckedAny exceptions or malfunctions have notes and supporting details
  • uncheckedSupporting trip paperwork is organized and accessible

This version of the ELD audit checklist is all about reducing surprises at the worst possible time.

Get Your ELD Audit Checklist Working For You

A solid ELD audit checklist isn’t about nitpicking. It’s about making compliance easier. When reviews are routine, drivers get clearer coaching, violations drop, and inspections become less intimidating. Print your checklist, keep it simple, and make it part of the rhythm of the fleet.

Need Help Getting Inspection-Ready?

Reach out to us at www.welocity.ca, call 905-901-1601, or email info@welocity.ca if you need any trucking-related services. Whether it’s ELD setup, compliance support, or inspection readiness coaching, we have you covered.

Scroll to Top