Construction

ELD Compliance for Construction Fleets — Which Vehicles Need an ELD and What to Do About It

Construction fleets with vehicles over 10,001 lbs GVWR often need ELD. Compare FMCSA-registered options for mixed fleets with exempt and non-exempt vehicles.

Construction fleets are rarely all-exempt or all-regulated — they mix dump trucks and flatbeds that need ELD with pickups and equipment that do not. Getting the classification wrong in either direction costs you: over-complying wastes money, under-complying risks $1,270-per-violation fines.

Last reviewed Mar 19, 2026

21 platforms reviewedUpdated March 2026See all eld compliance software →

How to evaluate eld compliance for construction companies

The ELD mandate applies to commercial motor vehicles over 10,001 lbs GVWR that operate in interstate commerce and whose drivers are required to maintain records of duty status. For construction fleets, this typically captures dump trucks, flatbeds, concrete mixers, and heavy-haul vehicles — not pickups, work vans under the threshold, or equipment that does not drive on public roads. The key variable is GVWR, not load weight. A vehicle with a 14,000 lb GVWR needs ELD even when it is hauling a light load.

Mixed fleets need a platform that handles both regulated and non-regulated assets without charging ELD subscription fees for vehicles that do not need it. Look for ELD vendors that offer asset-level billing — where dump trucks pay the full ELD subscription and pickups pay only for GPS tracking. Motive, Geotab, and Samsara all support mixed fleet billing. Vendors that charge a flat per-vehicle rate across your entire fleet will overcharge you significantly on exempt vehicles.

DVIR requirements apply to construction vehicles even when the ELD exemption applies. If your drivers operate commercial motor vehicles over 10,001 lbs GVWR in interstate commerce, they must document pre-trip and post-trip inspections — whether or not they use an ELD. Digital DVIR with defect-to-work-order workflow is valuable for construction fleets regardless of ELD applicability because it catches brake, tire, and hydraulic issues before they become roadside incidents.

Short-haul construction operations may qualify for the 100 air-mile exemption. If drivers report to the same work location each day, are released within 12 consecutive hours, do not exceed 100 air miles from the reporting location, and return to the same location, they are exempt from HOS recordkeeping and ELD requirements. For construction fleets where dump trucks run local hauls between quarry and job site, verify whether this exemption applies — it eliminates ELD cost for those operations entirely.

Job sites in rural areas often have weak cellular connectivity, which affects real-time HOS data sync. Confirm that your ELD handles duty status transitions cleanly and that the driver app works offline — storing duty status locally and syncing when connectivity returns. Cheap devices that drop sync in low-coverage areas create records gaps that auditors flag as the same violation as having no ELD at all.

Equipment-heavy construction operations often have drivers assigned to multiple vehicles across a project week — an operator might drive a dump truck Monday, a flatbed Tuesday, and a pickup the rest of the week. ELD platforms handle multi-vehicle assignments differently. Some lock a driver to a single device; others allow driver login at any enrolled vehicle. For construction fleets with flexible vehicle assignments, verify that the platform supports clean driver-to-vehicle pairing without manual back-office correction each time an assignment changes.

Seasonal construction slowdowns create ELD cost management challenges that do not exist in year-round trucking. If regulated vehicles sit idle October through March, you are paying ELD subscription fees for non-operating assets. Ask vendors about seasonal suspension policies — Motive and GPS Trackit allow month-to-month plans where you can pause inactive vehicles without penalty. Platforms with rigid annual contracts will charge you regardless of operating season, which matters significantly for construction fleets in northern climates.

Coordinating DVIR across a mixed construction fleet requires an ELD platform that allows supervisors to review and manage inspection records for both regulated and exempt vehicles in one place. A construction fleet manager should be able to pull the entire DVIR history for a dump truck, see any open defects, and verify that work orders were created and closed — all without toggling between the ELD system and a separate maintenance platform. Motive, Samsara, and Geotab all integrate DVIR with maintenance workflows at their mid and upper plan tiers.

Pricing guidance

ELD for construction vehicles runs $20-35/vehicle/month for trucks that require compliance — dump trucks, flatbeds, and heavy-haul vehicles over 10,001 lbs GVWR. GPS-only tracking for exempt vehicles costs $14-20/vehicle. For a construction fleet with 15 regulated vehicles and 25 exempt vehicles: $300-525/month ELD plus $350-500/month GPS-only tracking. Hardware: $100-250 per ELD unit for hardwired installs.

How each platform serves construction fleets

Here's how each leading platform performs specifically for construction fleet operations.

Samsara

Samsara handles mixed construction fleets well — regulated dump trucks and flatbeds get full FMCSA-registered ELD with HOS tracking, while exempt pickups and light work trucks run GPS-only at lower per-vehicle cost. The asset-level billing model is critical for construction operations where only a portion of the fleet crosses the 10,001 lb GVWR threshold. Samsara's offline mode stores duty status locally during weak-signal job site operations and syncs when connectivity returns — important for quarry and remote site work. DVIR integrates with work orders, so a driver flagging a brake defect on a dump truck triggers a maintenance ticket automatically. At $45-55/truck/month for ELD assets, Samsara is mid-premium but operationally justified for fleets over 25 regulated vehicles.

Motive

Motive is the most practical ELD choice for construction companies running 10-100 mixed vehicles. Its asset-level configuration lets fleet managers set each vehicle independently — full ELD subscription for regulated heavy haulers, GPS-only for exempt pickups — with billing that reflects actual compliance requirements. The Motive driver app handles offline duty status transitions, which is critical when dump trucks work at quarries and job sites with inconsistent cellular coverage. Multi-vehicle driver login allows equipment operators to log in to any enrolled vehicle with their credentials, supporting the flexible vehicle assignments common in construction operations. Pricing runs $35-45/truck/month for ELD vehicles and $14-20 for GPS-only assets.

Geotab

Geotab via reseller is the enterprise-tier choice for large construction companies that need deep DVIR customization and maintenance integration alongside ELD compliance. Geotab Drive handles FMCSA-registered ELD for regulated construction vehicles, and the MyGeotab platform allows custom DVIR checklists for construction-specific vehicle types — dump trucks, concrete mixers, and equipment transporters each have different inspection points. The maintenance module converts DVIR defects into work orders with parts tracking. For construction companies operating 75+ vehicles across multiple project sites, Geotab's multi-site reporting and custom alert configuration is worth the reseller markup over direct platforms. Typical pricing: $25-40/vehicle/month plus hardware.

Teletrac Navman

Teletrac Navman works well for mid-size construction companies that want ELD compliance bundled with job-site visibility features without enterprise complexity. Its FMCSA-registered ELD handles regulated vehicle HOS tracking and DVIR, while the GPS platform provides job site arrival and departure logging that construction project managers use for timesheet verification and equipment utilization reporting. Mixed fleet billing allows exempt light vehicles to pay GPS-only rates. Teletrac Navman's customer support response times for compliance questions are generally strong — important for construction company owners who do not have dedicated fleet compliance staff. Pricing runs $30-40/vehicle/month for ELD assets.

Omnitracs

Omnitracs serves larger construction contractors that operate heavy truck fleets of 100+ vehicles and need enterprise-grade HOS compliance management alongside job site coordination. Its ELD handles property carrier HOS rules for dump trucks, flatbeds, and equipment haulers with multi-terminal compliance dashboards that give safety managers visibility across multiple project locations simultaneously. Omnitracs' unassigned miles management and violation alert systems reduce the compliance errors that scale with fleet size. For construction companies that also manage owner-operator subcontractors hauling materials, Omnitracs has carrier management features that extend compliance monitoring beyond directly operated vehicles. Pricing is quote-based at approximately $35-50/vehicle/month.

J.J. Keller Encompass

J.J. Keller Encompass is a strong choice for construction companies that operate regulated heavy trucks but lack dedicated fleet compliance staff. The platform's regulatory expertise is built in — HOS rule sets are pre-configured correctly, DVIR templates include construction-relevant vehicle types, and the driver qualification file management covers CDL drivers operating dump trucks and flatbeds. J.J. Keller's compliance team publishes plain-language guidance on exemptions and rule changes, which is valuable for construction company owners navigating the 100 air-mile exemption and seasonal operational changes. Pricing runs $20-35/vehicle/month with DQ file management included.

Rand McNally ELD

Rand McNally ELD suits small construction companies with a handful of regulated dump trucks or flatbeds that need straightforward FMCSA compliance at low monthly cost. The ELD 50 Pro is FMCSA-registered, handles standard property carrier HOS rules, and includes roadside data transfer via Bluetooth. For a construction company with 2-5 regulated heavy trucks supplemented by a larger fleet of exempt pickups, Rand McNally covers compliance needs at $15-20/truck/month without requiring the full bundled platform of Motive or Samsara. The limitation is no mixed fleet management — you would need separate GPS tracking for exempt vehicles. Best for small construction operators focused on compliance cost minimization.

Zonar

Zonar's hardwired ELD hardware and DVIR capabilities make it a practical choice for construction fleets where vehicle reliability and inspection documentation are operational priorities. Construction dump trucks and equipment haulers accumulate more wear than over-the-road vehicles — Zonar's guided inspection checklists with photo documentation catch brake, tire, hydraulic, and body damage issues before they become roadside enforcement findings. The hardwired hardware resists the vibration and dust exposure common in construction environments better than Bluetooth OBD-II dongles. For construction companies with heavy DVIR compliance needs and regulated vehicles operating in rough conditions, Zonar's hardware durability justifies the $30-45/vehicle/month pricing.

BigRoad

BigRoad provides entry-level FMCSA-registered ELD compliance for small construction companies with a few regulated heavy trucks that need to meet the mandate without enterprise investment. The app-based ELD handles standard property carrier HOS rules and roadside data transfer for $10-20/truck/month. For a construction company owner-operator or small GC with 1-3 dump trucks that cross state lines, BigRoad covers the compliance at minimum cost. The platform lacks mixed fleet management — GPS tracking for exempt vehicles requires a separate tool — and its back-office analytics are thin compared to Motive or Samsara. Best for construction operators focused purely on compliance for a small number of regulated vehicles.

#21

Trimble Transportation is one of the most established names in enterprise fleet and transportation management. Born from acquisitions of TMW Systems, PeopleNet, and others, the platform now offers a cloud-native, AI-powered TMS alongside fleet maintenance, driver mobility, and real-time visibility tools. We evaluated the full Trimble Transportation ecosystem — testing its new AI-powered Trimble TMS, analyzing hundreds of user reviews, and comparing it against Omnitracs, Samsara, Motive, and Geot

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eld compliance software for construction — side by side

Pricing, deployment, and trial availability for every platform reviewed. Click any row to read the full review.

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Software	Pricing model	Starting price	Deployment	Free trial
Fleetio	Per vehicle	Vehicle records, basic maintenance, fuel tracking	Cloud	Yes
Samsara	Per vehicle	GPS tracking, basic reporting, geofencing	Cloud	Yes
Teletrac Navman	Per vehicle	GPS tracking and basic fleet management	Cloud	Yes
Azuga	Per vehicle	GPS tracking, geofencing, trip history, basic reporting	Cloud	Yes
CalAmp	~$25–$45/vehicle/mo (custom quotes)	Varies by features and fleet size	—	—
ClearPathGPS	~$20/vehicle/mo; no setup fees	Real-time tracking, geofencing, alerts, driver behavior, reporting	—	Yes
Fleet Complete	From $10/vehicle/mo	GPS tracking, geofences, basic reporting. 36-month contract. Best for basic location tracking.	—	—
Motive	Per vehicle	ELD, GPS tracking, basic reporting	Cloud	Yes
Geotab	Per vehicle	GPS tracking, basic reporting, geofencing	Cloud	Yes
GPS Trackit	Per vehicle	Real-time tracking, trip history, basic geofencing	Cloud	Yes
IntelliShift	~$25–$45/vehicle/mo (custom quotes)	Connected vehicle data, GPS tracking, basic safety scoring, reporting	—	Yes
Lytx	Per vehicle	Dual-facing camera, MV+AI, self-managed video review	Cloud	—
Netradyne	~$30–$50/vehicle/mo + hardware	AI alerts, GreenZone scoring, video cloud storage, driver coaching, analytics dashboard	—	—
Omnitracs	From $23/vehicle/mo (quote-based)	EOBR ($23), Compliance ($32), Premium ($46)	—	—
One Step GPS	~$13.95/vehicle/mo (no contract)	Real-time tracking, geofencing, alerts, trip history, driver reports	—	—
Rastrac	Contact for pricing	Real-time tracking, geofencing, basic alerts	—	—
Simply Fleet	Free plan; Pro from ~$3/vehicle/mo	1 vehicle, maintenance tracking, fuel logging, service reminders, basic reporting	—	Yes
Verizon Connect	Per vehicle	GPS tracking, geofencing, basic alerts	Cloud	Yes
Zonar Systems	From ~$26/vehicle/mo	Includes Zonar Logs, DVIR, Ground Traffic Control, HOS	—	—
Rhino Fleet Tracking	Contact for pricing	Standard rate; all core features included	—	—
Trimble	Contact for pricing	Custom quote	—	—

Frequently asked questions about eld compliance for construction fleets

Which construction vehicles require an ELD?

Construction vehicles over 10,001 lbs GVWR that operate in interstate commerce and whose drivers must maintain records of duty status require an FMCSA-registered ELD. This typically includes dump trucks, flatbeds, concrete mixers, and heavy equipment transporters. Pickup trucks and work vans under the GVWR threshold are exempt. Vehicles operating entirely intrastate may be subject to state-level regulations that differ from the federal mandate.

Do construction vehicles qualify for the short-haul ELD exemption?

Many do. The 100 air-mile short-haul exemption applies when drivers report to the same location each day, are released within 12 consecutive hours, stay within 100 air miles of that location, and return to the same location. Local dump truck operations shuttling between a quarry and a job site typically qualify. The exemption disappears immediately if a driver exceeds 100 air miles on any given day — construction companies with occasional long-haul runs need a plan for those days.

Can one ELD platform manage both exempt and non-exempt construction vehicles?

Yes — the major fleet platforms support mixed fleets. Motive, Samsara, and Geotab all allow you to configure vehicles individually: dump trucks get full ELD subscription with HOS tracking, pickups get GPS-only tracking at lower cost. Verify asset-level billing before signing, because it directly determines whether your ELD investment makes financial sense for a mixed construction fleet.

What happens if a construction company runs regulated vehicles without ELD?

Drivers caught operating without a required ELD can be placed out of service on the spot, stopping the vehicle until the violation is resolved or a 10-hour off-duty period passes. Civil penalties start at $1,270 per violation and can reach $13,000 for egregious cases. For a construction company mid-project, an out-of-service order on a dump truck translates directly to project delays and potential contract penalties.

Do ELD platforms handle driver-to-vehicle assignment changes for construction fleets?

The major platforms handle this, but they handle it differently. Samsara and Motive allow drivers to log in to any enrolled vehicle using their driver app credentials, making vehicle reassignment simple on job sites where drivers swap equipment. The ELD automatically records which driver operated which vehicle for which duty period. Platforms with device-locked ELD setups require back-office intervention to update driver assignments, which creates HOS record gaps on active construction sites.

What ELD is best for construction companies with mixed fleets?

Motive and Samsara are the best choices for construction companies with mixed regulated and exempt vehicles. Both support asset-level billing — dump trucks pay full ELD subscription, pickups pay GPS-only rates — and both handle offline operation for job sites with poor cellular connectivity. Geotab via reseller is a strong option for larger construction fleets that need custom DVIR workflows and maintenance integration. Avoid flat-rate ELD vendors that charge ELD pricing on all vehicles regardless of compliance requirement, as they will significantly overcharge you on exempt assets.

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