How to Interpret ELD Violations Without Panicking

Let’s be real: seeing a violation pop up in your log system can feel like getting a surprise bill. But if you can interpret ELD violations calmly and correctly, most issues become fixable—and a lot of them are preventable.

The trick is knowing what you’re actually looking at. Some problems are true Hours-of-Service (HOS) limit issues, while others are recordkeeping problems or ELD “technical” flags like diagnostics and malfunctions. FMCSA separates these concepts in its ELD guidance and regulations, and that’s why the same messy day on the road can produce different types of citations.

How to Interpret ELD Violations Step by Step

When you’re trying to interpret ELD violations, use this quick 3-step approach:

Identify the category: Is it an HOS limit issue, a record-of-duty-status issue, or an ELD malfunction/diagnostic flag? FMCSA’s ELD materials explain that devices must detect certain malfunctions and data diagnostic events, which are different from driving-time limits.
Find the trigger: What exactly caused it—missing data, unidentified driving, an edit problem, or driving past a limit?
Decide your action: Fix it now (paper logs, repair, coaching), dispute it (if it’s incorrect), or prevent it (process change).

Do this consistently and you’ll interpret ELD violations faster, with a lot less stress.

ELD violation codes

Most systems show a “code” or reference tied to what an officer may cite, often tied to recordkeeping rules (like Part 395 record of duty status) or to ELD technical requirements (malfunctions/diagnostic events). FMCSA notes that ELDs are required to monitor for issues like power, timing, positioning, data transfer, and unidentified driver records.

Practical tip: don’t stop at the code label. Click into the event details and look for the plain-language reason (missing location, no engine sync, unidentified drive time, etc.). That’s how you interpret ELD violations in a way that leads to a fix.

Hours Of Service Violations

These are the classic “you drove too long” problems, like exceeding the 11-hour driving limit, driving past the 14-hour window, skipping required breaks, or hitting the 60/70-hour weekly cap. FMCSA’s HOS summaries lay out these limits and how the weekly cap works.

If you’re trying to interpret ELD violations tied to driving time, zoom in on the timeline:

When did the driver go on duty?
When did driving begin?
Was there a valid off-duty break?
Did yard move or personal conveyance get used correctly?

Most “mystery” issues become obvious once you trace the duty-status changes.

Log Audit Basics

A good internal audit isn’t about “catching” drivers, it’s about catching patterns. Start simple:

Pull a weekly sample (especially new hires and high-mileage runs)
Check edits and annotations for clarity
Confirm supporting documents match (fuel, tolls, BOL times)

FMCSA also provides examples showing how violations are flagged on logs (like visual indicators of where a limit was exceeded), which can help you spot the exact moment things went sideways.

The more routinely you review, the easier it becomes to interpret ELD violations before they turn into repeat problems.

Roadside Inspection Results

After an inspection, the report matters as much as the stop itself. FMCSA’s CSA Safety Planner notes drivers must deliver the inspection report to the carrier within 24 hours, and carriers must sign/return the report within 15 days and keep it on file for 12 months.

Also, certain recordkeeping failures can lead to out-of-service time. FMCSA guidance explains that if the driver can’t produce the proper record of duty status, an inspector may place the driver out of service for a set period, based on CVSA criteria.

This is why it’s smart to interpret ELD violations right after the report comes in, while details are fresh and corrections are still quick.

Compliance Score Impact

Violations don’t just “go away” after you fix the log. They can influence how a carrier is prioritized for interventions. FMCSA’s CSA materials explain that CSA is designed to identify carriers with safety problems and that HOS-related violations fall under the HOS Compliance area.

In plain terms: repeated issues can create a paper trail. That’s another reason learning to interpret ELD violations consistently is worth it, because prevention is cheaper than cleaning up a pattern later.

How To Interpret ELD Violations During An Audit

During an audit, think of “proof and process.” You want to show:

The issue was identified
The correction was made properly (with notes)
The cause was addressed (training, procedure, maintenance, settings)

Keep your documentation tight and boring (in a good way). If you can interpret ELD violations and show your corrective action steps, you’re not just reacting, you’re demonstrating control.

What ELD Violation Codes Mean For Drivers And Fleets

For drivers, codes usually translate to coaching: better status changes, cleaner annotations, fewer last-minute edits. For fleets, they translate to risk and cost: delays, potential out-of-service events, and more admin time.

The best approach is to treat every code like a signal. When you interpret ELD violations as signals (not just “errors”), you get ahead of them, and your operation runs smoother.

Make ELD Violations Easier to Manage

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s knowing what you’re seeing, fixing it fast, and preventing repeats. Once you can interpret ELD violations with a clear routine, audits and inspections feel a lot less intimidating, and your team builds better habits naturally.

Need Help Tightening Up Your ELD Compliance?

Reach out to us at 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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