United Kingdom (UK)
UK Drivers' Hours & Tachograph Compliance: The UK Equivalent of ELD
The UK doesn't use US ELDs. It uses tachographs and retained Regulation 561/2006. Compare tachograph analysis and drivers' hours compliance software for UK operators, with £ context.
There is no US-style ELD mandate in the UK. The UK equivalent is the tachograph: a recording device fitted to most HGVs and coaches, combined with drivers' hours rules under retained Regulation (EC) 561/2006 (and AETR for some international journeys). If you searched for 'ELD compliance UK', what you actually need is tachograph analysis and drivers' hours software. This guide explains how UK requirements differ from FMCSA's ELD regime and compares the platforms that download, store and analyse tachograph data and flag infringements, with honest tradeoffs and £ pricing context. We flag reform areas (such as smart tachograph rollout) rather than overstate fixed dates.
Why do United Kingdom fleet managers choose ELD compliance?
The biggest mistake US-built compliance tools make in the UK is treating ELD and tachograph as the same thing. They aren't. UK operators must use approved tachographs (analogue for very old vehicles, digital for most, and increasingly smart tachograph version 2 on newer vehicles under EU/UK rules), download driver cards at least every 28 days and vehicle units at least every 90 days, retain the data (commonly 12 months), and analyse it for drivers' hours infringements. The software you want is a tachograph analysis platform, not an FMCSA ELD.
Drivers' hours limits under retained Regulation 561/2006 differ from US HOS: broadly, a 9-hour daily driving limit (extendable to 10 hours twice a week), a 45-minute break after 4.5 hours of driving, and weekly/fortnightly limits with rules on daily and weekly rest. Some domestic-only operations follow GB domestic drivers' hours rules instead. The right platform applies the correct ruleset per journey rather than assuming one regime.
Smart tachographs (version 2) capture additional data including more frequent position records and are central to enforcing the EU Mobility Package for cross-border work. For operators running to Europe, retrofit timelines and cabotage/posting rules interact with what your analysis software needs to flag. Treat specific retrofit dates as 'confirm current guidance' because they have phased in over time.
United Kingdom at a glance
- Registered trucks
- ~600,000 HGVs in scope of tachograph rules
- Carriers / companies
- Tens of thousands of O-licence holders
- Freight value
- Drivers' hours infringements are a leading cause of DVSA enforcement action
- Key fact
- The UK has no FMCSA-style ELD mandate. Compliance is built on tachographs and retained Regulation 561/2006, not the US Hours-of-Service ruleset.
Which United Kingdom industries benefit most from ELD compliance?
International Haulage
Operators running to mainland Europe must handle smart tachograph data, EU Mobility Package rules, cabotage limits and posting-of-drivers requirements. Analysis software has to cover EU rules, not just GB domestic.
Domestic HGV Distribution
GB-based trunking and distribution generally falls under retained Regulation 561/2006; some operations use GB domestic rules. Software must apply the correct ruleset and flag infringements for transport-manager review.
Coach & Bus (PSV)
Passenger transport has its own drivers' hours considerations and tachograph requirements for in-scope services, distinct from goods-vehicle workflows.
Mixed Light/Heavy Fleets
Operators with vehicles above and below the tachograph threshold need software that correctly scopes which vehicles and drivers are in or out of the rules.
What coverage do you need for United Kingdom routes?
Dover–Calais & Eurotunnel
The main gateway to Europe where smart tachograph data, cabotage and posting rules under the Mobility Package come into play.
M6 / M1 trunk routes
High-mileage domestic corridors where daily driving limits and break rules generate the most infringements to monitor.
Welsh & Scottish long-haul routes
Longer rural runs where rest-stop availability affects how easily drivers stay within daily and weekly limits.
Which United Kingdom compliance requirements affect your tracking decision?
- Tachographs, not ELDs: most HGVs/coaches must use an approved tachograph (analogue/digital/smart v2); there is no FMCSA ELD registry: equipment is type-approved under EU/UK rules.
- Retained Regulation (EC) 561/2006: the core drivers' hours regime: broadly a 9-hour daily driving limit (10 hours twice weekly), 45-minute break after 4.5 hours' driving, plus weekly/fortnightly limits and rest rules.
- Download & retention: driver cards must be downloaded at least every 28 days, vehicle units at least every 90 days, with records retained (commonly for 12 months).
- GB domestic rules: certain domestic-only operations follow GB domestic drivers' hours rules instead of EU rules: software should apply the right one.
- EU Mobility Package: for cross-border work, smart tachograph v2, cabotage limits, posting of drivers and return-of-vehicle rules apply. Confirm current phase-in dates.
- Enforcement: DVSA checks tachograph data at the roadside and at operator level; infringements can lead to O-licence action by the Traffic Commissioner.
Where are United Kingdom fleet managers deploying tracking?
How does United Kingdom infrastructure shape your tracking needs?
Channel ports & Eurotunnel
Cross-border traffic makes EU drivers' hours, cabotage and smart tachograph compliance unavoidable for international operators.
DVSA enforcement sites
Roadside check sites and operator audits make clean, downloaded, analysed tachograph data essential to avoid prohibitions and licence action.
Major distribution hubs
High-frequency trunking from the Midlands golden triangle concentrates drivers' hours exposure on a predictable set of routes.
Top ELD compliance platforms for United Kingdom fleets
These are the 28 platforms we track for United Kingdom fleet operators, ranked by our independent editorial rating. Each links to a full review with verified pricing, pros and cons, and our verdict, so you can dig into the platforms that fit the United Kingdom considerations above.
| # | Tool | Published price | Deployment | Free trial | Best for | Pricing detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Azuga | $25 per vehicle/mo, published | Cloud | Yes | Fleets that want practical GPS tracking | See pricing |
| 2 | CalAmp | quote only | Not stated | No | Fleets and asset-heavy operators that care more about hardware reliability, deployment flexibility | See pricing |
| 3 | ClearPathGPS | quote only | Not stated | Yes | Service-oriented fleets that want a clean tracking rollout with low commercial friction | See pricing |
| 4 | Fleet Complete | quote only | Not stated | No | Canadian and North American fleets that need a proven GPS tracking platform | See pricing |
| 5 | Fleetio | quote only | Cloud | Yes | Fleets that want a dedicated, affordable maintenance management platform | See pricing |
| 6 | Garmin eLog | $249.99 one-time, no subscription | In-cab hardware paired to a phone, tablet or compatible dezl navigator | No | Owner-operators, one to three trucks | See pricing |
| 7 | Geotab | quote only | Cloud | Yes | Fleets that want telematics depth, reporting control | See pricing |
| 8 | GPS Insight | quote only | GPS hardware plus AI dashcams, ELD (with 2025 Titan GPS-added Canadian compliance), and adjacent field-service/inspection apps | No | GPS Insight fits a fleet that values a vendor with a strong | See pricing |
| 9 | GPS Trackit | quote only | Cloud | Yes | Small to mid-size fleets that want GPS tracking deployed quickly with minimal contractual risk | See pricing |
| 10 | IntelliShift | quote only | Not stated | Yes | Mid-market fleets (50–500 vehicles) in construction, field services, utilities | See pricing |
| 11 | Linxup | $25 per vehicle/mo, published | Plug-in, wired, or JBUS GPS hardware, plus optional dashcams, asset trackers, and Apollo-branded ELD | No | Linxup fits a small-to-midsize fleet, construction, landscaping, HVAC, field service, that wants GPS tracking | See pricing |
| 12 | Lytx | quote only | Cloud | No | Fleets that want a serious safety program built around video, coaching | See pricing |
| 13 | Motive | quote only | Cloud | Yes | Trucking fleets, regional carriers, and transportation operations that want one connected environment for ELD | See pricing |
| 14 | Netradyne | quote only | Not stated | No | Fleets that already take safety seriously and want a dedicated camera layer that improves | See pricing |
| 15 | Omnitracs | quote only | Not stated | No | Large trucking and transportation fleets that run structured long-haul or enterprise carrier operations | See pricing |
| 16 | One Step GPS | $13.95 per vehicle per month | Not stated | No | Small to mid-sized fleets (5–100 vehicles) that need GPS tracking | See pricing |
| 17 | Optima ELD | quote only | ELD hardware paired to a phone or tablet, plus GPS, dashcam, dispatch and IFTA add-ons | No | Small Android-equipped fleets | See pricing |
| 18 | RAM Tracking | $14.99 per vehicle per month | GPS hardware, optional dashcams and ELD, plus a separate Klipboard job-management app | No | Stable fleets wanting tracking plus video | See pricing |
| 19 | Rastrac | quote only | Not stated | No | Small to mid-size fleets and asset-heavy operations that want reliable GPS tracking, geofencing | See pricing |
| 20 | Rhino Fleet Tracking | quote only | Not stated | No | Small and mid-size service fleets that want straightforward GPS tracking, geofencing | See pricing |
| 21 | Samsara | quote only | Cloud | Yes | Fleets with 50+ vehicles, a serious safety program, compliance requirements | See pricing |
| 22 | Simply Fleet | Free for up to 5 vehicles | Not stated | Yes | Small fleet operators (5–50 vehicles) who need affordable maintenance scheduling and fuel logging | See pricing |
| 23 | Teletrac Navman | $14.99 per vehicle/mo, DC contract | Cloud | Yes | Enterprise and mid-to-large fleets in construction, transportation, government | See pricing |
| 24 | Transflo | quote only | Geotab GO hardware with Transflo software, paired to a phone or tablet | No | Carriers with high document volume | See pricing |
| 25 | Trimble | quote only | Not stated | No | Large carriers, freight brokers, and logistics companies that need enterprise-grade transportation management | See pricing |
| 26 | TruckX | quote only | Bluetooth or wired ELD paired to a phone or tablet, or a bundled in-cab tablet | No | Owner-operators and small carriers | See pricing |
| 27 | Verizon Connect | $15.95 per vehicle/mo, GSA rate | Cloud | Yes | Enterprise fleets, service-heavy operations, and organizations that value dispatch depth, established vendor relationships | See pricing |
| 28 | Zonar Systems | $14.70 per bus/mo, district contract | Not stated | No | Fleets where electronic inspections, safety compliance | See pricing |
Showing 28 of 28. Published price is the figure the vendor states; “quote only” means it states none.
- 1
- From
- GPS tracking, geofencing, basic alerts
- Free trial
- Yes
Simple, affordable [GPS fleet tracking](/categories/gps-fleet-tracking) with driver rewards and safety features.
- 2
- From
- Varies by features and fleet size
- Free trial
- No
CalAmp is a [telematics](/categories/telematics) hardware manufacturer and [fleet management software](/categories/fleet-management-software) provider known for its LMU and TTU device families and the CalAmp iOn cloud platform.
- 3
- From
- Real-time tracking, geofencing, alerts, driver behavior, reporting
- Free trial
- Yes
ClearPathGPS is an 8.1/10-rated [GPS fleet tracking](/categories/gps-fleet-tracking) platform best suited for small-to-mid-size field service, construction, and trade fleets that want reliable tracking with transparent pricing and exceptional customer support.
- 4
- From
- GPS tracking, geofences, basic reporting. 36-month contract. Best for basic location tracking.
- Free trial
- No
Fleet Complete (now Powerfleet) is a Canadian-born fleet management platform serving 30,000+ customers across North America.
- 5
- From
- Rate not verified, fleetio.com blocks automated retrieval. Monthly or annual billing; vehicle records, maintenance, fuel tracking.
- Free trial
- Yes
Modern fleet maintenance and management platform for mixed fleets.
- 6
- From
- $249.99 one-time (part 010-01876-00), device plus 6-pin J1708 adaptor
- Free trial
- No
Garmin eLog is a $249.99 one-time-purchase ELD with no subscription fee, registered by FMCSA for local transfer only, which makes it a strong owner-operator device and a poor fleet one.
- 7
- From
- GPS tracking, basic reporting, geofencing
- Free trial
- Yes
Open-platform [telematics](/categories/telematics) with advanced data analytics for fleet optimization.
- 8
- From
- Not published, page title tag references "Under $20" but content shows no figure
- Free trial
- No
GPS Insight rates well on Trustpilot and Capterra (4.5/5 on both), but its pricing page's own title tag promises a sub-$20 starting price the page content never shows, and its ELD marketing overstates FMCSA's role.
- 9
- From
- GPS tracking, geofencing, alerts
- Free trial
- Yes
Budget-friendly [fleet tracking](/categories/fleet-tracking) with flexible hardware options.
- 10
- From
- Connected vehicle data, GPS tracking, basic safety scoring, reporting
- Free trial
- Yes
IntelliShift is a 7.9/10-rated fleet intelligence platform best suited for mid-to-large mixed fleets in construction, utilities, and field service that need to unify data from multiple vehicle types and [telematics](/categories/telematics) sources.
- 11
- From
- $94.99 hardware (incl. first month) + $25/month service
- Free trial
- No
Linxup is an FMCSA-registered GPS, dashcam, asset-tracking and ELD vendor whose pricing page is quote-only and whose Terms require a specific cancellation form with a 31-day notice period.
- 12
- From
- Dual-facing camera, MV+AI, self-managed video review
- Free trial
- No
AI-powered video safety platform with the largest driving behavior database.
- 13
- From
- ELD, GPS tracking, basic reporting
- Free trial
- Yes
AI-powered fleet management with ELD, dashcams, and spend management.
- 14
- From
- AI alerts, GreenZone scoring, video cloud storage, driver coaching, analytics dashboard
- Free trial
- No
Netradyne is an 8.6/10-rated AI dash cam platform best suited for fleets that prioritize [driver safety](/categories/driver-safety), video [telematics](/categories/telematics), and positive behavior coaching.
- 15
- From
- Not published, quote only; no pricing page on omnitracs.com or fleet.solera.com
- Free trial
- No
Omnitracs is a veteran fleet management platform now owned by Solera, built for long-haul trucking and enterprise carriers.
- 16
- From
- Real-time tracking, geofencing, alerts, trip history, driver reports
- Free trial
- No
One Step GPS is an 8.0/10-rated GPS fleet tracker best suited for small businesses and budget-conscious fleets that need reliable real-time tracking at the industry’s lowest price point.
- 17
- From
- Not published, quote only
- Free trial
- No
Optima ELD is a genuinely FMCSA-registered ELD provider whose homepage advertises 'Contract-free' while its own Terms of Service set a default 12-month term that auto-renews annually.
- 18
- From
- $14.99/vehicle/month
- Free trial
- No
RAM Tracking publishes real prices for its entry GPS, dashcam and job-management tiers, but its standard contract is structured as an equipment lease with a third-party finance company and a non-cancelable term.
- 19
- From
- Real-time tracking, geofencing, basic alerts
- Free trial
- No
Rastrac is a 7.5/10-rated [GPS fleet tracking](/categories/gps-fleet-tracking) and asset management platform best suited for small to mid-size fleets that need affordable real-time vehicle tracking, geofencing, driver behavior monitoring, [fuel management](/categories/fuel-management), and maintenance alerts.
- 20
- From
- Standard rate; all core features included
- Free trial
- No
Rhino [Fleet Tracking](/categories/fleet-tracking) is a 7.8/10-rated budget [GPS fleet tracking](/categories/gps-fleet-tracking) platform best suited for small to mid-size fleets that need affordable real-time vehicle tracking, geofencing, maintenance alerts, and basic reporting without long-term contracts.
- 21
- From
- GPS tracking, basic reporting, geofencing
- Free trial
- Yes
Connected operations platform for [fleet tracking](/categories/fleet-tracking), safety, and compliance.
- 22
- From
- Up to 5 vehicles, maintenance tracking, fuel logging, service reminders
- Free trial
- Yes
Simply Fleet is a 7.6/10-rated fleet maintenance app best suited for very small fleets, owner-operators, and individual vehicle owners who need basic maintenance tracking, fuel logging, and expense management without paying enterprise prices.
- 23
- From
- GPS tracking and basic fleet management
- Free trial
- Yes
Fleet management with strong compliance and safety features for commercial fleets.
- 24
- From
- Not published, demo request only
- Free trial
- No
Transflo is a document-workflow and compliance platform whose ELD now ships as [Geotab](/software/geotab) hardware.
- 25
- Free trial
- No
Trimble Transportation is one of the most established names in enterprise fleet and transportation management.
- 26
- From
- Not published, Dashcam Pro add-on pricing not disclosed by the vendor
- Free trial
- No
TruckX is a budget ELD with the largest driver review base in its segment, no published subscription price, and a documented FMCSA revocation from 2023 that was never reinstated.
- 27
- From
- Real-time tracking, geofencing, basic alerts
- Free trial
- Yes
[GPS fleet tracking](/categories/gps-fleet-tracking) and fleet management for businesses of all sizes.
- 28
- From
- Includes Zonar Logs, DVIR, Ground Traffic Control, HOS
- Free trial
- No
Zonar Systems is a commercial fleet [telematics](/categories/telematics) provider known for its dominance in school bus and public transit fleet management.
Want the full side-by-side breakdown: editorial verdicts, detailed pros and cons, and real pricing for every platform? See the complete eld compliance software comparison
United Kingdom ELD compliance: buyer questions answered
Do UK trucks need a US-style ELD?
No. The US ELD mandate doesn't apply in the UK. UK HGVs and coaches use tachographs and must comply with retained Regulation 561/2006 (or GB domestic rules for some operations). If you're shopping for 'ELD' in the UK, the right category is tachograph analysis and drivers' hours software.
How are UK drivers' hours different from US Hours of Service?
They're a different regime entirely. Broadly the UK/EU rules set a 9-hour daily driving limit (extendable to 10 hours twice a week), require a 45-minute break after 4.5 hours of driving, and impose weekly and fortnightly driving limits plus daily/weekly rest requirements. US HOS uses different limits and concepts (e.g. the 14-hour window). Don't assume a US HOS engine will compute UK compliance correctly.
How often must I download tachograph data?
As a rule of thumb, download driver cards at least every 28 days and vehicle units at least every 90 days, and retain the records (commonly for 12 months). Good software automates remote downloads and warns you before deadlines: missing downloads is itself an infringement DVSA can act on.
What changes for operators running to Europe?
The EU Mobility Package adds smart tachograph (v2) data, cabotage limits, posting-of-drivers rules and vehicle-return requirements for cross-border work. Specific retrofit and phase-in dates have rolled out over time, so verify current guidance and choose software that explicitly supports EU cross-border drivers' hours analysis, not just GB domestic.
Compare ELD compliance in other regions
- United Kingdom (UK)
- Canada (CA)
- Europe (EU)
Score every ELD compliance platform on the same criteria
Scoring these vendors side by side takes a weighted sheet, not a notepad. The vendor evaluation scorecard weights price, support, lead time and reliability, then rates each shortlisted vendor 1 to 5 against the same criteria.
See full comparison with pricingExplore other fleet software categories