If you run cross-border, the U.S. ELD rule isn't the only one you answer to. Canada has its own mandate — and it works differently. Here's what matters before you cross at the bridge.
Canada's federal ELD requirement came into force on June 12, 2021, followed by a progressive-enforcement period to give carriers time to adjust. Full enforcement began January 1, 2023. It applies to federally regulated commercial drivers who are already required to keep a daily log (a record of duty status) — broadly the same population the U.S. rule covers.
This is the part that trips up American drivers. In the U.S., ELD manufacturers self-certify their devices and list them with FMCSA. In Canada, every ELD must be certified by an accredited third-party body before it can be sold or used for compliance. The two lists are not the same.
The practical takeaway: a device that is only self-certified for the U.S. is not automatically valid in Canada. If you cross the border, confirm your provider's ELD appears on Canada's list of certified devices — many major units are certified for both countries, but you should verify, not assume.
The clocks change when you cross. Canadian federal HOS for most "south of 60°N" driving runs on different numbers than the U.S. hours-of-service rules you already know:
Your ELD has to log under the correct ruleset for wherever you're physically driving, and the record needs to show the switch when you cross.
Canada keeps some exemptions, including drivers operating within a 160 km radius of the home terminal, short-term vehicle rentals, vehicles under a statutory exemption or permit, and older trucks built before model year 2000. These are similar in spirit to U.S. exemptions but not identical — check the specifics for your operation, just as you would with the U.S. ELD mandate.
Eagleye ELD is built to handle both rulesets, switching HOS calculations as you cross so your drive, on-duty and cycle timers stay correct on each side. That keeps a Canadian or U.S. inspection from turning into a violation just because the clock was set to the wrong country.
Run compliant on both sides of the border — start for $1 →Canada's federal ELD requirement came into force on June 12, 2021, with a progressive-enforcement period. Full enforcement across federally regulated carriers began January 1, 2023.
Canadian ELDs must be certified by an accredited third party, while U.S. devices are self-certified by the manufacturer. A device that is only self-certified for the U.S. is not automatically valid in Canada.
Yes. While you are operating in Canada you must follow Canadian hours-of-service limits, which differ from the U.S. rules, and your logs must reflect the correct ruleset for where you are driving.