How Electronic Logbooks Will Impact the LTL Industry

 You might think that the LTL industry never changes. Well, you’re in for a surprise! The industry is making a landmark switch to electronic logbooks, which could impact your business in a huge way. Here’s how to stay ahead of the curve and be ready for the switch.

What is an Electronic Logbook?

Simply put, an electronic logbook is a small box installed into a commercial shipping truck to track the mileage and work breaks of drivers. Paper logbooks, which LTL has been using for quite some time now, will be a thing of the past. Technology has moved forward! Here’s why it’s beneficial:

• Improved Monitoring Since the electronic logbook can’t be disconnected from the engine, the miles driven and time spent shipping will be more accurate than paper logbooks. Standard paper logbooks are more inefficient in tracking the miles driven or the amount of work done on the shipping. When the logbooks differ from the actual mileage it can cause the price of shipping to go up for the shipping company which they pass on to you.
• More Honesty The electronic logbooks create an easier environment for a driver to stay within federal shipping laws. The device creates a more honest and accurate system to track mileage and work breaks for each driver. Once they’re implemented, companies have reported a massive reduction in logbook violations.
• Improved Safety Electronic logbooks prevent truckers from driving more hours than the legal maximum. This reduces the number of avoidable hazards that a shipping company must account for. Exhaustion related accidents and medical conditions due to overexertion should decrease significantly creating a safer work environment for the driver and others on the road.

The purpose of the electronic logbook is to create a more trackable environment when shipping. Less Than Truckload (LTL) will also be impacted by these changes because it’s mandated for the entire shipping industry. If your company uses LTL shipping, here’s what you need consider about the new regulation:

Smaller Businesses Will Go Under

Smaller companies that handle LTL will find the electronic logbook too expensive to implement. The annual cost of an electronic logbook can stretch between $165 and $832 per truck. Though the electronic logbook will pay for itself in time simply by eliminating mileage inaccuracies, the initial cost could push them out of trucking business completely. If you’re with a stable and secure shipping service, like eShipper, this won’t be a problem. Working with eShipper removes any fear that you may have to switch to a new shipping partner.

Truckers Leaving the Industry

Believe it or not, many truckers are leaving the shipping industry because of the electronic logbooks. Those that have been in the shipping industry for many years are put off by the new regulations and prefer paper logbooks, which are no longer an option. This puts stress on the LTL shipping industry because the drivers that can deliver the orders are no longer willing. This also can create longer wait times for you. Your LTL shipper may require higher buying limits as a result of the cost of the electronic logbooks and drivers leaving the industry.

With eShipper as a partner, you can stay ahead of the game. eShipper is dedicated to helping LTL businesses like yours reach their goals and remain in the market. We’re well-prepared for the electronic logbooks and offer our customers secure trucking partners so you always have peace of mind. Contact eShipper today to find out about our LTL options and how we can help your business grow.