How to Convert Paper Logs to ELD

Making the switch can feel like a big deal, especially if your team has been using paper for years. But you can convert paper logs to ELD without the drama if you treat it like a rollout, not a flip-the-switch moment.

The goal isn’t just “install devices and hope for the best.” The goal is to convert paper logs to ELD in a way that keeps drivers comfortable, keeps your records clean, and keeps you ready for inspections. When you plan it right, most fleets find that once the learning curve is over, life gets simpler.

ELD Setup

Before you convert paper logs to ELD, get the foundation right. A small setup mistake, like the wrong time zone, incorrect vehicle assignment, or a loose connection, can create a week’s worth of confusing logs.

A solid setup usually includes:

Confirming device compatibility with each truck
Making sure drivers can log in and switch units correctly
Testing log display and data transfer (so inspection day isn’t the first test)
Setting clear permissions for edits and back-office changes

Quick tip: pilot the system on one or two trucks first. It’s the easiest way to spot “real world” issues before the whole fleet feels them.

Driver Training

Training is where most transitions either succeed or go sideways. If drivers don’t feel confident, you’ll spend your first month fixing avoidable mistakes, then everyone blames the ELD.

Keep driver training simple and hands-on:

Duty status changes (and when to use each one)
Daily log certification (so you’re not chasing signatures later)
What to do with yard moves/personal use (based on your policy)
How to show logs to an officer quickly

If you want the transition to stick, add a short refresher after the first week. That’s when drivers finally have real questions.

Data Migration

Here’s the truth: you usually don’t need to move every old paper log into the new system. But you do need a clean plan for data migration so nothing gets lost or mismatched.

What matters most:

Accurate driver profiles and vehicle assignments in the ELD system
A clear retention process for your paper logs (filed, labeled, easy to retrieve)
A process for supporting documents if you use them (fuel, dispatch, bills)

When you convert paper logs to ELD, the “data” you’re migrating is often your workflow, who checks what, when, and where it gets stored.

Compliance Steps

If you’re going to convert paper logs to ELD, line up your policies with how the device actually works. This is where fleets prevent repeat issues and reduce audit stress.

Key compliance steps to define early:

Who can suggest edits, and how drivers approve or reject them
How malfunctions are reported and documented
How often logs are reviewed (daily is ideal during the first few weeks)

This is also a good time to set expectations with dispatch: legal hours are legal hours, and planning has to match reality.

Go-Live Checklist

A go-live should feel like a controlled launch, not a surprise event. Use a go-live checklist so you’re not trying to fix issues while freight is moving.

Before you officially convert paper logs to ELD fleet-wide, confirm:

Devices are mounted, powered, and tested in every truck
Drivers can log in and show the current day + previous days
Settings are correct (carrier info, time zone, unit assignments)
Support is ready (who drivers call when something looks wrong)
A first-week audit routine is scheduled

That last point matters more than people think. Early reviews prevent bad habits from becoming “the new normal.”

How To Convert From Paper Logs To Eld Step By Step

If you want a simple path that works for most fleets, use this:

Pick a small pilot group (a few drivers, a few trucks).
Run real loads for a week and note what breaks or confuses drivers.
Fix setup issues and update training based on what you learned.
Roll out in phases (batch by batch), not all at once.
Audit logs daily for the first 2–3 weeks after you convert paper logs to ELD.
Coach quickly and document patterns so the same errors don’t repeat.

That’s the difference between a smooth conversion and months of cleanup.

Paper Log To Eld Transition Checklist For Fleets

Use this quick checklist to keep the switch organized:

Confirm installs and truck connections
Verify driver accounts, unit assignments, and permissions
Train drivers on log edits, certifications, and inspections
Set a malfunction/reporting procedure
Create a daily review process for the first few weeks
File paper logs properly for retention after you convert paper logs to ELD

If you follow this, you’ll convert paper logs to ELD with fewer surprises, and your drivers will feel supported instead of stressed.

Make The Switch Smooth And Keep Your Fleet Ready

When fleets convert paper logs to ELD successfully, it’s rarely because they bought the “best” device. It’s because they planned the rollout, trained drivers like humans (not like robots), and reviewed logs early. If you’re about to convert paper logs to ELD, start with a small pilot, tighten the process, then expand with confidence.

Need Help Switching From Paper Logs to ELD?

Reach out to us at ww.welocity.ca, call 905-901-1601, or email info@welocity.ca if you need any trucking-related services. Whether it is ELD setup, compliance training, or vehicle inspections, we have you covered.

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