Immediate Steps
When an ELD malfunction indicator appears, the driver's first step is to note the malfunction on the ELD record of duty status at the time it is discovered. The driver must then notify the motor carrier within 24 hours of the discovery. Both the notation and the notification are required by 49 CFR 395.34 regardless of whether the device appears to still be recording.
Preserving the device display — with a photograph or written note of the exact malfunction code or description — is practical advice before attempting any troubleshooting, since some reset attempts may clear the indicator before it is documented.
The 8-Day Rule
From the time the carrier is notified, the motor carrier has 8 days to repair, replace, or exchange the malfunctioning ELD. If the device is not corrected within that window, the driver must: reconstruct the previous 7 days of duty status records on paper log forms (using available supporting documents — fuel receipts, dispatch records, tolls), and continue recording on paper for the remaining malfunction period.
The 8-day period is counted from notification to the carrier, not from discovery. A driver who discovers a malfunction and waits to notify the carrier is shortening the available repair window.
Supporting Documents
Supporting documents — fuel receipts, toll records, dispatch communications, odometer records — are used to reconstruct paper logs during a malfunction period. Retain any documents that help establish when the truck was moving, where it was, and what the duty status was during periods not captured by the ELD.
The reconstructed paper logs should be as accurate as possible given available supporting documents. They do not need to be perfect — the expectation is a good-faith reconstruction based on available evidence.
What Not To Do
Do not alter or delete existing ELD records. Do not continue operating without any record for driving periods. Do not skip the 24-hour carrier notification because the device appears to have recovered — if a malfunction indicator appeared, the notification obligation was triggered. This page is educational only; verify current obligations in 49 CFR 395.34 and with your carrier's compliance team.
Related Pages
Related Fault Code Pages
Sources
- ELD Malfunctions and Data Diagnostic Events Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration · government · accessed 2026-05-05 · confidence high
Source: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, ELD Malfunctions and Data Diagnostic Events. This page paraphrases factual fields only and is not a substitute for the original document.
Open source - 49 CFR 395.34 - ELD malfunctions and data diagnostic events Electronic Code of Federal Regulations · government · accessed 2026-05-05 · confidence high
Source: Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, 49 CFR 395.34 - ELD malfunctions and data diagnostic events. This page paraphrases factual fields only and is not a substitute for the original document.
Open source - 49 CFR Part 395 Appendix A to Subpart B - Functional Specifications for ELDs Electronic Code of Federal Regulations · government · accessed 2026-05-05 · confidence high
Source: Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, 49 CFR Part 395 Appendix A to Subpart B - Functional Specifications for ELDs. This page paraphrases factual fields only and is not a substitute for the original document.
Open source
FAQ
Does a driver have to stop driving immediately when an ELD malfunction appears?
No. An ELD malfunction does not require an immediate stop. The driver must note the malfunction, notify the carrier within 24 hours, and use paper logs if the device is not repaired within 8 days. The truck can continue operating during the malfunction period as long as the driver is following the required documentation procedures.
What counts as 'notifying the motor carrier' for the 24-hour ELD malfunction obligation?
The notification must reach the carrier — a phone call, message, or electronic communication that documents when and what the driver reported. Leaving a voicemail without confirmation may not be sufficient documentation. Many carriers have a specific malfunction reporting process; follow your carrier's procedure and keep a record of when you made the notification and how.
Can a driver reconstruct paper logs from memory without supporting documents?
Reconstruction should use available supporting documents to support accuracy — fuel receipts, toll records, dispatch logs, and similar records. Reconstruction from memory alone is not ideal and may be challenged in a compliance review. Collect and retain all available documents during the malfunction period specifically for this purpose.