ELD vs AOBRD: Key Differences for Driver Compliance

For years, electronic logging devices (ELDs) and automatic onboard recording devices (AOBRDs) were both used by carriers to track driver hours and maintain compliance with federal regulations. However, with the full implementation of the ELD mandate by the FMCSA, the transition from AOBRDs to ELDs became not just preferred—but required.

While AOBRDs are now largely phased out, understanding the differences between the two systems remains important. Not only does it clarify the history of digital compliance in trucking, but it also helps explain why certain features are regulated the way they are under today’s standards.

The Basics: What Each System Does

Both ELDs and AOBRDs serve the same foundational purpose: recording a driver’s Hours of Service (HOS) in a digital format. They were created to replace paper logbooks and ensure accurate, tamper-resistant recordkeeping.

AOBRDs, introduced in the late 1980s, allowed for electronic HOS tracking but offered more flexibility in how data was recorded and edited. ELDs, which became mandatory for most drivers in 2019, are more standardized and restrictive in terms of functionality, data accessibility, and compliance visibility.

Key Differences in Functionality

The most noticeable distinction between the two systems lies in how much control the driver and carrier have over the log data.

With AOBRDs, drivers could make manual edits to driving time, and the system didn’t always automatically record movement. That meant there was room for interpretation—and in some cases, unintentional non-compliance. ELDs, on the other hand, automatically track drive time once the vehicle reaches a certain speed and limit the ability to change that record afterward.

ELDs are also required to have a specific set of data points, including vehicle location, engine status, and time metrics. AOBRDs weren’t held to the same data granularity, which allowed for broader discretion in how HOS were recorded.

Visibility and Enforcement

One of the reasons the FMCSA moved to standardize ELD usage was to improve enforcement. ELDs must be capable of transmitting data to enforcement officials via multiple formats—wireless web services, USB, or Bluetooth—and must include a built-in display or printout to show logs during inspections.

AOBRDs did not require that same level of data sharing or formatting consistency. This sometimes made roadside inspections slower and more subjective. ELDs simplify this by making logbooks uniform across carriers, which allows inspectors to more easily spot violations in real-time.

The Transition Timeline

Initially, when the ELD mandate was introduced, carriers that were already using compliant AOBRDs before December 18, 2017, were allowed to continue using them during a two-year transition period. After December 16, 2019, however, all AOBRDs had to be replaced by registered ELDs to remain compliant.

While most carriers made the switch years ago, some drivers still refer to their logging devices by the older AOBRD label out of habit. It’s important to recognize that ELDs are now the required standard, and all commercial vehicles subject to HOS rules must use one.

Final Thoughts

The shift from AOBRDs to ELDs marked a significant moment in the evolution of driver compliance and safety enforcement. While both systems served a similar purpose, ELDs provide a more transparent and consistent approach to logging hours—one that minimizes the gray areas and boosts accountability across the board.

For today’s drivers, understanding the differences between these systems isn’t just about history—it’s about recognizing how current compliance tools work, why they’re designed that way, and how to use them to avoid violations and keep operations running smoothly.