Truck drivers across the US must stop using Nationwide Technologies' Nationwide ELD device, as it has been removed from the FMCSA registry for lack of compliance with government regulation.
The FMCSA hasn't (yet) explained where the Nationwide ELD failed to measure up, simply saying that the company behind it failed to “meet the minimum requirements” set out in the appendix that details how ELDs must work.
Fleet drivers and managers that are currently using Nationwide will have until April 4, 2023, to replace their ELD.
Nationwide ELD Is No Longer Legal to Use
FMCSA announced the update on their website. While the government agency didn't offer many details about why they had made the decision, they were very clear on what Nationwide's clients need to do about it.
Here is the specific make and model number that is affected:
- Name: Nationwide ELD
- Model number: NWTELDV1.1
- Identifier: NWT001
- Provider: Nationwide Technologies Inc
The revoked certification was announced on February 3, and since there's a 60-day grace period before enforcement, drivers will have until April 4 before they'll need to replace the ELD.
What Truckers Need to Know
After April 4, any driver using the Nationwide ELD will be in violation of the ELD mandate, since they won't be able to provide a “record of duty status” when needed. If pulled over, they'll be placed out of service.
We've rounded up the top ELD replacement devices in the past, and all of them have remained ELD-compliant.
If a driver can't switch to a replacement ELD device soon enough to meet the deadline, however, there is another option, the FMSCA says. They can “revert to paper logs or logging software to record required hours of service data.”
What's Next for Nationwide?
Needless to say, this isn't great news for Nationwide. For better or for worse, every modern fleet tracking service that offers ELD recording needs to meet the federal regulations surrounding an ELD's functional specifications.
By failing to do so, Nationwide has shifted from the list of registered ELDs to the list of revoked devices. Shifted back is a simple job on paper — the company just needs to ensure its device meets regulations once more, and it can be re-instated.
However, the damage will be done by then, as all of the company's clients are currently scrambling to find a compliant ELD, and they won't be likely to move back to Nationwide even if the regulatory mishap is fixed. If you're among them, you can start reviewing the best fleet management systems and begin gathering personalized quotes today.
