What Unidentified Driving Records Are
When a vehicle with an ELD moves and no driver is logged in — or the logged-in driver account does not match the driver behind the wheel — the ELD records that driving time under an 'unidentified driver' placeholder. This is an intended ELD function, not a failure: the device is still recording the movement, it just cannot attribute it to a specific driver at the time.
Unidentified driving records accumulate a data diagnostic event indicator when the unattributed time exceeds the threshold defined in the ELD technical specification. The indicator prompts the driver and carrier to review and assign the records.
Driver Review Obligation
Under 49 CFR 395.32, drivers must review unidentified driving records that may belong to them and either accept or reject them. Most ELD devices present the unidentified records during the driver's login process with a prompt to review and assign them.
Records that belong to a driver must be accepted and will become part of that driver's HOS log. If a driver rejects records that actually belong to them, the driving time remains unattributed — which may create an undercount of actual driving time in the driver's log. Timely and accurate review is important.
Common Causes
Unidentified driving records most commonly occur when: a driver moves the vehicle before logging in (pre-trip inspection movements, yard moves, fueling trips), the previous driver's session expired without a proper logout, a technician or yard worker moves the vehicle without logging into the ELD, or a new driver begins a trip without completing the login process on the device.
In fleet settings, some carriers address this by configuring the ELD to prompt for driver login immediately when vehicle motion is detected without an active session.
Carrier Review Obligation
Carriers are responsible for ensuring that unidentified driving records are reviewed and assigned. Records that remain unassigned after the review period may indicate that a driver is operating without a log or that the ELD assignment process is not being followed consistently. Carriers should monitor unidentified records as part of their ELD compliance management.
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
Can unidentified driving records cause an HOS violation?
Yes, if they belong to a driver and remain unassigned. Driving time that should appear in a driver's log but stays in the unidentified profile effectively removes it from the HOS calculation — the driver's log shows less driving time than actually occurred. If the driving pushed the driver over an HOS limit, the violation would be visible once the record is properly assigned.
Who is responsible for yard moves and shop moves that create unidentified records?
Any person moving an ELD-equipped vehicle should log in, use the personal conveyance exception if applicable, or ensure the carrier's procedure for yard and shop movements is followed. If yard workers and mechanics move vehicles routinely, the carrier's ELD policy should address how those movements are to be logged or exempted from the driving obligation.
How long does a driver have to review and claim unidentified records?
49 CFR 395.32 sets out the review requirement. The specific timeframe for review and the exact process are defined in the regulation and may vary by device implementation. Check the current regulatory text in 49 CFR 395.32 and your ELD provider's documentation for device-specific review timeframes.