Help & Support

Everything you need to get the most out of your ERETHELD ELD

Getting Started

Get up and running with ERETHELD ELD in four simple steps. Most drivers complete setup in under 10 minutes.

1

Create Your Account

Sign up at eretheld.com/register.html. You will need your CDL number, carrier USDOT number, and a valid email address. Your carrier or fleet manager may send you an invite link directly.

2

Connect the ERS238 Device

Plug the ERS238 hardware device into your truck's 9-pin (J1939) or 6-pin (J1708) diagnostic port, typically located under the dash on the driver's side. The indicator light will turn solid blue when connected to the ECM.

3

Pair via Bluetooth

Open the ERETHELD app on your phone or tablet. Navigate to Settings → Device Pairing. Select your ERS238 from the list of available Bluetooth devices. Stay within 30 feet of the device during pairing. Confirm the PIN shown on screen.

4

Set Your Driver Profile & Rule Set

In the app, go to Profile → HOS Settings. Select your applicable rule set: 70 hours / 8-day (carriers operating every day of the week) or 60 hours / 7-day (carriers not operating every day). Enter your home terminal time zone and exempt status if applicable.

How HOS Logging Works

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires commercial drivers to record their hours of service using one of four duty statuses. ERETHELD automatically tracks and logs each status in real time.

Status
12am
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12pm
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
OFF DUTY
SLEEPER
DRIVING
ON DUTY
Off Duty
Sleeper Berth
Driving
On Duty (Not Driving)

OFF DUTY

Not performing any work-related activities. A minimum 10-hour off-duty rest period is required before a new driving window can begin. Off-duty time does not count against your 14-hour on-duty window.

SLEEPER BERTH

Resting in the truck's sleeper compartment. Counts toward the required rest period. Sleeper berth provisions allow split-sleeper arrangements: 8/2 or 7/3 splits, giving flexibility on long-haul runs.

DRIVING

Vehicle is in motion exceeding 5 mph. ERETHELD automatically records this status — no manual input required. The 11-hour driving limit and 14-hour on-duty window both apply to this status.

ON DUTY (NOT DRIVING)

Performing work but vehicle is not moving. Includes pre-trip and post-trip inspections, loading and unloading, fueling, waiting at shipper/receiver, and time at a weigh station.

Key HOS Limits — Property-Carrying Drivers

  • 11-hour daily driving limit after 10 consecutive hours off duty
  • 14-hour on-duty window — cannot drive after 14 hours on-duty
  • 30-minute break required after 8 cumulative hours of driving
  • 70-hour / 8-day limit (carriers operating every day of the week)
  • 60-hour / 7-day limit (carriers not operating every day)
  • 34-hour restart: reset your 7/8-day clock after 34 consecutive off-duty hours

DOT Inspection Transfer

When a law enforcement officer requests your electronic logs during a roadside inspection, ERETHELD makes the transfer fast and straightforward. Follow these steps.

1

Inspector requests log transfer

When a DOT or state officer asks to see your ELD records, open the ERETHELD app on your phone or tablet. Ensure the device is connected to the ERS238 via Bluetooth and you have either cellular data or a WiFi connection available.

2

Tap "DOT Inspection" in the app

In the main dashboard, tap the sidebar menu icon (three lines, top-left). Select DOT Inspection from the menu. You will be taken to the log transfer screen showing your last 8 days of records.

3

Choose your transfer method

Two transfer methods are available. Web Services is the preferred and fastest method. Use Email as a fallback if Web Services is unavailable.

Web Services (preferred) Email (fallback)
4

Web Services transfer

Select Web Services. Enter the officer's USDOT number as provided by the inspector. Tap Send via Web Services. The logs are transmitted directly to FMCSA's inspection system. This typically completes within 10–15 seconds.

5

Email transfer (fallback)

Select Email. Enter the officer's email address exactly as they provide it. Tap Send via Email. A standardized ELD output file is sent immediately. Keep a note of the sent timestamp.

6

Confirmation screen

A confirmation screen will display once the transfer is complete, showing the transfer method used, timestamp, and a reference number. Screenshot or note this information for your records. The inspector can verify receipt on their end.

Your last 8 days of logs are always available for transfer. Keep your ELD charged and connected to the ECM port at all times when operating a CMV. If your device battery is low, plug into the truck's USB port or a power bank before beginning an inspection transfer.

DOT Inspection screen
dashboard view
Web Services transfer
confirmation screen
Email transfer
send screen

DVIR Instructions

A Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR) is a federally required document that commercial drivers must complete at the start and end of each day, as well as when changing vehicles. ERETHELD digitizes this process completely — no paper forms required.

Pre-Trip Inspection

Completed before beginning any driving. Open the ERETHELD app, tap DVIR in the menu, then select Pre-Trip. Walk around the vehicle systematically and mark the condition of each component. Sign and submit before departure.

Post-Trip Inspection

Completed at the end of each driving day or when changing vehicles. Select Post-Trip in the DVIR menu. Any defects found must be noted. The next driver will review your post-trip report as part of their pre-trip inspection.

Required Inspection Items

Service brakes
Parking brake
Steering mechanism
Lighting & markers
Tires
Horn
Windshield wipers
Mirrors
Coupling devices
Wheels & rims
Emergency equipment
Heater & defroster
Fuel & oil leaks
Exhaust system
Frame & body
Suspension
Fifth wheel (if applicable)
Trailer brake connections
Cargo securement
Reflective triangles

Marking Defects DEFECT

If any item is found to be faulty, tap the item in the app to toggle it to Defect status. A red DEFECT badge will appear and you will be prompted to add a written description. Photos can be attached from your device camera. All defects are automatically flagged for your motor carrier's maintenance team.

Safe / Unsafe to Drive

At the end of the DVIR, you must select one of two conditions: Vehicle is safe to operate (no defects found, or defects found but corrected) or Vehicle is NOT safe to operate (defects found that affect safe operation). You must make a selection before the report can be submitted. A vehicle marked unsafe cannot be placed back into service until repairs are made and a corrective DVIR is completed by a mechanic.

Troubleshooting

Common issues and how to resolve them quickly. If your issue is not listed here, contact support at info@eretheld.com.

ELD not connecting

Ensure Bluetooth is enabled on your phone or tablet and that the device is within 30 feet of the ERS238. Make sure the truck ignition is in the ON or ACC position — the ERS238 requires power from the ECM port. If still not connecting, remove the ERS238 from your device's Bluetooth list and re-pair from scratch via Settings → Device Pairing.

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Missing driving time

ERETHELD automatically records driving when the vehicle moves faster than 5 mph for 1 or more consecutive minutes. Very short movements (such as moving in a yard) may not trigger automatic driving status. Verify that the ERS238 is firmly seated in the ECM diagnostic port and that the port is the correct J1939 or J1708 type for your truck.

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HOS sync error

Check your cellular data or WiFi connection. Force-close the ERETHELD app completely and reopen it. All duty status records are stored locally on the ERS238 device and will sync automatically when the connection is restored. You will not lose any data during a temporary connectivity outage.

📳
Cannot send DOT transfer

Verify that you have an active cellular data or WiFi connection. If Web Services is unavailable, use the Email transfer method as a fallback — this requires only basic email delivery. Confirm with the officer that the USDOT number entered is correct. For email, double-check the officer's email address for typos.

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Forgot password

On the login page at eretheld.com/login.html, tap Forgot password? below the sign-in button. Enter your registered email address and you will receive a password reset link within a few minutes. Check your spam folder if you do not see it. For immediate assistance, contact info@eretheld.com.

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DVIR not saving

Ensure all required fields are completed before submitting. Every DVIR requires: vehicle unit number, odometer reading, and a safe/unsafe to operate selection. If defects are marked, a written description is also required. Verify your app has permission to access device storage. Update the app if you are running an older version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most common questions about ELD requirements, ERETHELD features, and FMCSA compliance.

Do I need a CDL to be required to use an ELD?
Generally yes — the ELD mandate applies to CDL drivers operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. Specifically, drivers required to keep records of duty status (RODS) under 49 CFR Part 395 must use an ELD. Short-haul drivers operating within a 150 air-mile radius and returning to their home terminal within 14 hours may qualify for a short-haul exemption from RODS requirements. Agricultural operations, driveaway-towaway movements, and vehicles manufactured before model year 2000 also have exemptions. Consult your motor carrier or a compliance specialist to confirm your specific status.
What happens if my ELD malfunctions during a trip?
If the ELD malfunctions, you must: (1) note the malfunction in writing and annotate your records, (2) notify your motor carrier within 24 hours of the malfunction, (3) switch to paper RODS (hand-written logs) within the same 24-hour period, and (4) continue on paper logs for up to 8 consecutive days while the ELD is repaired or replaced. The motor carrier then has 8 days to correct the malfunction. You are required to carry a supply of blank paper log sheets in your cab at all times for this purpose. Contact ERETHELD support immediately at (786) 654-8900 so we can begin the repair/replacement process.
Can I use ERETHELD on multiple devices?
Yes. Your ERETHELD account can be accessed from any smartphone, tablet, or web browser. Your logs and settings sync across all devices via the cloud. However, the ERS238 hardware device pairs to one primary device at a time via Bluetooth. To switch the active Bluetooth connection, disconnect from the current device in the app settings and then initiate pairing from the new device. Only one device can communicate directly with the ERS238 at any given time.
How do I handle the 30-minute break requirement?
After 8 cumulative hours of driving time since your last qualifying break or off-duty period, you must take a 30-minute non-driving break before continuing to drive. This break can be taken as off-duty, sleeper berth, or on-duty (not driving) time — any status except Driving satisfies the requirement. ERETHELD monitors your cumulative driving time and will alert you at the 7-hour and 30-minute mark, giving you a 30-minute warning before the break is required. Tap the notification to set your status to off-duty or on-duty to begin your break timer.
What is the 70-hour/8-day rule?
The 70-hour/8-day rule states that a driver may not drive after accumulating 70 hours of on-duty time in any 8 consecutive days. Carriers that do not operate every day of the week may use the 60-hour/7-day rule instead (no driving after 60 hours in 7 consecutive days). ERETHELD tracks this rolling total automatically and displays your remaining hours prominently on the main dashboard. A 34-hour restart provision allows you to reset your weekly on-duty total to zero after taking at least 34 consecutive hours off duty. The restart must include two periods from 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. per FMCSA rules.
Is ERETHELD approved for all CMVs?
ERETHELD's ERS238 device is FMCSA-registered and listed on the FMCSA ELD registry, making it approved for use in all CMVs subject to the ELD mandate. The ERS238 supports both J1939 (9-pin) and J1708 (6-pin) diagnostic ports, covering the vast majority of commercial trucks and tractors. For vehicles with non-standard diagnostic configurations, contact our technical support team to confirm compatibility before ordering. See our compliance documentation at eretheld.com/docs.html for full technical specifications.
How long are my logs stored?
ERETHELD retains all ELD records for a minimum of 6 months in cloud storage, meeting the FMCSA requirement that logs be kept for at least 6 months. The ERS238 device itself retains the most recent 7 days of logs locally so that transfer is always available even without internet access. Drivers on the Pro plan benefit from unlimited log history, making it easy to retrieve records from any date for dispute resolution, audit purposes, or compliance reviews. Standard plan drivers can export and archive their logs before the 6-month window expires.
Can I edit my logs?
Drivers may annotate existing log entries or request edits to non-driving duty statuses. All annotations and edit requests are tracked with a complete audit trail — the original entry is never deleted, only supplemented. Driving time recorded automatically by the ERS238 based on ECM data cannot be manually deleted; however, you can annotate it with context (e.g., "personal conveyance" or "yard moves" where applicable). Edit requests sent to your motor carrier are displayed as pending until approved. The full edit history is always visible to both the driver and the carrier.
What is the difference between On Duty and Driving?
Driving status is recorded automatically by the ERS238 whenever the vehicle moves faster than 5 mph for 1 or more consecutive minutes. No manual input is required or permitted for Driving status — it is set by the device based on ECM engine data and GPS. On Duty (Not Driving) covers any other work-related activity where you are not behind the wheel and the vehicle is not in motion: this includes pre-trip and post-trip inspections, loading and unloading cargo, fueling, waiting at a shipper or receiver dock, attending safety meetings, or sitting at a weigh station. Both Driving and On Duty time count against your 14-hour daily on-duty window and your 70-hour/8-day limit.
How do I update my vehicle information?
Log in to your ERETHELD dashboard at eretheld.com. Navigate to the Settings tab in the left sidebar. Under the Vehicle section, you can update your truck unit number, VIN, trailer number, and carrier information (company name and USDOT number). Changes take effect immediately and are reflected in all new DVIR reports and ELD records going forward. If you change vehicles mid-day, update the vehicle information before beginning your next driving session to ensure accurate records for that vehicle.

Contact Support

Our team is ready to help with any ELD questions, compliance issues, or technical problems. Reach us by phone or email.

Phone Support

(786) 654-8900

Available Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 6:00 pm ET

Email Support

info@eretheld.com

Response within 24 hours on business days

17150 N Bay Rd, Apt 2419, Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160

For urgent ELD malfunctions or DOT inspection issues, call immediately. Do not wait for email. Our phone support team is trained to walk you through ELD malfunction procedures, DOT roadside inspection transfers, and any compliance issue in real time. Have your driver ID and USDOT number ready when you call.