User manual for "Orion eLog"

A complete ELECTRONIC LOGGING DEVICE system in compliance with FMCSA
Version 1.0.8
4212 Beacon Avenue
Pennsauken, NJ 08109
888.485.9993
[email protected]
www.OrionElog.com

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Table of Contents
Introduction to Orion eLog ..........................................................................................................3
Installing Orion eLog ..................................................................................................................3
Quick Start Instructions ...............................................................................................................4
Orion eLog Menu ........................................................................................................................4
Inspect & View Logs ..................................................................................................................5
Introduction to eLog....................................................................................................................7
APPENDIX  GENERAL ELOG INFORMATION.................................................................. 11
Basic understanding of eLog ................................................................................................. 11
ELog Rules (generalization) .................................................................................................. 11
Notes:.................................................................................................................................... 13
eLog Examples ...................................................................................................................... 14
eLog Daily automated reporting and driver input ................................................................... 15
On Duty Time Variables ....................................................................................................... 17
Vehicle Inspection Report ..................................................................................................... 18

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Introduction to Orion eLog
Orion eLog provides a standardized single-step compilation for the drivers ELD records and
initiation of the data transfer to authorized safety officials when requested during a roadside
inspection. The official accesses Inspect Daily Logs and taps on INSPECT ON-SCREEN. The
data is displayed on the screen for the one or more vehicles that comprise the Hours of Service
for the individual driver. Alternatively, the Driver data can be emailed to the official by entering
an email address. Orion eLog offers a unique capability in that the data from the ECU is
extracted from the J1939 CANBUS and transmitted to a central transceiver located within or on
the dashboard of the vehicle. This transceiver then communicates via Bluetooth with the Orion
eLog mobile app installed on a smart phone, tablet or computer. If Bluetooth is not turned-on or
available, a warning message is presented to the Driver. Initialization consists of the Driver
either entering an eLog transceiver code in the mobile app or using the mobile app to scan a QR
code placard inside the vehicle. This procedure automatically pairs the transceiver, the CANBUS
device, and the mobile app that is unique to the vehicle-driver combination. Orion eLog also
sends data to the Orion Cloud for reporting and data history using server-side tools within the
Orion Portal. This arrangement allows for fully-duplex communications whereby the Orion
Portal can send additional instructions to the CANBUS in the event of a malfunction indicator.

Installing Orion eLog
Orion eLog has two primary components: 1) CANBUS, and 2) transceiver. Before you install
these devices, make sure you note their serial numbers affixed to the enclosures. You will also
need Bluetooth and cellular service for either a mobile smartphone, tablet, or computer to display
and manage your information. The CANBUS device plugs into the vehicles J1939 port using
either a standard Deutsche round-cable connector or a DB16 pin connector. Plug the CANBUS
cable into the vehicles J1939 plug and insert the other end into the CANBUS device. The cable
is long enough to allow positioning the CANBUS device up inside the dashboard out of view.
Data pulled from the vehicles ECU is wirelessly transmitted to the Orion eLog transceiver.
The Orion eLog transceiver has a 12v DC power cable that can be plugged into any full-time 12v
DC power source in the vehicle fuse box or tapped into any appropriate wire. Ideally, the
transceiver should be located on the vehicle dashboard, but it can be positioned up inside the
dash out of view.
That completes the installation. The specific configuration of your Orion eLog system is done
through the mobile app and/or the associated Orion eLog cloud-based portal. Your system comes
with a QR code that can be used by your mobile app to automatically pair and configure the
majority of your Orion eLog systems.

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Quick Start Instructions
Getting started with the Orion eLog system is fast and easy! After Orion eLog is installed, the
mobile app is used to add device registration numbers. This can be done via a manual input or by
scanning the supplied QR code. Since Orion eLog can be utilized with multiple drivers and
vehicle installations, each installation requires a unique name. When entering the mobile app, the
user can select a previously stored configuration.

Orion eLog Menu
After login and selecting the configuration, the Dashboard appears as depicted in the screen
capture below. In the upper right-hand corner, tap the 3 horizontal lines to access additional
menu options for Settings; Switch Truck, and Sign Out.
Tap the circle to select any of the following status options:





Off duty
Sleeper
On Duty (driving)
On Duty (not driving)

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Duty status with a note
Cancel

Tap Daily Logs to view driver activity, rules, and other information. Also, from the Daily Logs
screen, options are available to Inspect Logs and View Logs.

Inspect & View Logs
After tapping Daily Logs button on the Dashboard screen, scroll down to view button options for
Inspect Logs and View Logs. The Inspect Logs screen provides instructions and offers two
options for the enforcement official (inspector) to visualize the eLog data. This includes
INSPECT ON-SCREEN and SEND/PRINT LOGS. The later option also enables sending the log
file via email which is input by the inspector.

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Introduction to eLog
Compliance Safety Accountability (CSA) is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
(FMCSA) safety program. The goal of the program is to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities on
the nation's highways. CSA focuses on both motor carriers and drivers. A great deal of
compliance data for the CSA Safety Measurement System is collected during roadside
inspections. The data collected (both good and bad) during roadside inspections goes into the
CSA Safety Measurement System (SMS). The data is then organized into seven Behavioral
Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs). One of the seven BASICs is fatigued
driving. The fatigued driving BASIC includes violations of the hours-of-service regulations. A
poor score in the fatigued driving BASIC can lead to an Intervention.
Interventions are actions FMCSA can take against a motor carrier and driver. Interventions range
from mild to severe  from a warning letter to a fine or out-of-service order (unfit suspension).
Because of this, it is even more important than ever to understand and comply with the hours-ofservice regulations. Historically, hours-of-service is the most frequently cited violation during
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roadside inspections. Receiving citations for hours-of-service violations can have an impact on a
motor carrier's and a driver's fatigued driving BASIC score and potentially have an impact on
continued operation.
Compliance with the hours-of-service regulations includes following the limits and maintaining a
current and legal record of duty status (log book).
The limits
The hours-of-service regulations, located in Part 395 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Regulations (FMCSRs), include three maximum limits:




11-hour driving rule,
14-consecutive hour duty rule, and
60-hour/7day and 70-hour/8-day rules.

The following table of rules are published by FMCSA on-line as of 12 Mar 2019 at:
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-service/summary-hours-service-regulations

PROPERTY-CARRYING DRIVERS

PASSENGER-CARRYING DRIVERS

11-Hour Driving Limit

10-Hour Driving Limit

May drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10
consecutive hours off duty.

May drive a maximum of 10 hours after 8
consecutive hours off duty.

14-Hour Limit

15-Hour Limit

May not drive beyond the 14th consecutive
hour after coming on duty, following 10
consecutive hours off duty. Off-duty time
does not extend the 14-hour period.

May not drive after having been on duty
for 15 hours, following 8 consecutive
hours off duty. Off-duty time is not
included in the 15-hour period.

Rest Breaks

60/70-Hour Limit

May drive only if 8 hours or less have
May not drive after 60/70 hours on duty
passed since end of drivers last off-duty or in 7/8 consecutive days.
sleeper berth period of at least 30 minutes.
Does not apply to drivers using either of the
short-haul exceptions in 395.1(e). [49 CFR
397.5 mandatory in attendance time may
be included in break if no other duties
performed]
60/70-Hour Limit

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Sleeper Berth Provision

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May not drive after 60/70 hours on duty in
7/8 consecutive days. A driver may restart a
7/8 consecutive day period after taking 34 or
more consecutive hours off duty.

Drivers using a sleeper berth must take at
least 8 hours in the sleeper berth, and
may split the sleeper berth time into two
periods provided neither is less than 2
hours.

NOTICE: The Consolidated and Further
Continuing Appropriations Act of 2015 was
enacted on December 16, 2014, suspending
enforcement of new requirements for use of the
34-hour restart, pending a study. Based on the
findings from the study, the 34-hour restart rule
in operational effect on June 30, 2013, is
restored to full force and effect. The requirement
for two off-duty periods of 1:00 a.m. to 5:00
a.m. in section 395.3(c) of the Agencys hoursof-service rules will not be enforced, nor will the
once-per-week limit on use of the restart in
395.3(d).

Sleeper Berth Provision
Drivers using the sleeper berth provision
must take at least 8 consecutive hours in the
sleeper berth, plus a separate 2 consecutive
hours either in the sleeper berth, off duty, or
any combination of the two.

This rule is based on the amount of on-duty time you have in a "rolling" 7-day or 8-day period.
The oldest of the 7 or 8 day's hours drop off at the end of each day when you calculate the total
on-duty time for the past 7 or 8 days.
If your company does not operate vehicles every day of the week, you must follow the 60hour/7-day limit. If your company operates vehicles every day of the week, you may follow
either of the two limits.
Under the 60-hour/7-day limit, you may not drive a CMV after having been on duty for 60 hours
in any period of 7 -consecutive days.
Under the 70-hour/8-day limit, you may not drive a CMV after having been on duty for 70 hours
in any period of 8 -consecutive days.

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Keep in mind, that under either limit you may do non-driving work after reaching the 60-hour or
70-hour maximum, but these hours must be added into your total.
The regulations include an optional "restart" provision. Drivers may not drive after 60/70 hours
on duty in 7/8 consecutive days. A driver may restart a 7/8 consecutive day period after taking 34
or more consecutive hours off duty as per 2013 FMCSA hours of service HOS rules.
Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) drivers using a sleeper berth must take 10 hours off duty, but
may split sleeper-berth time into two periods provided neither is less than 2 hours.
On-duty time is all time from the time you begin work or are required to be ready for work until
you are relieved from all work and responsibility for work. On-duty time includes time spent:









Waiting to be dispatched
Inspecting, servicing, or conditioning a CMV
Driving in or on your vehicle (except sleeper-berth time)
Loading or unloading your vehicle
Repairing, obtaining assistance, or attending a disabled vehicle
Performing any other work for a motor carrier
Complying with drug or alcohol requirements, and
Performing compensated work for any other employer.

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APPENDIX  GENERAL ELOG INFORMATION
Basic understanding of eLog
1. Data input: At the start of each driving cycle, drivers must provide (input) the following data:
provide the following:
a. Select your driving schedule:
b. 7 day 60 hours
c. 8 day 70 hours
d. Vehicle Number: XXXXXXXXX
e. Odometer: XXXXXXXXX
f. Signature
i.
The initial digital signature is created on the first time the driver signs into
Orion eLog. That digital signature is stored and is used when when generating
reports.
2. All data is stored on the mobile device (local) and also uploaded to the portal
3. In the event a data connection is not available, data can be uploaded to portal when the data
connection is available
4. All local data is stored for a minimum of 17 days
5. Every time a status change is made (on duty-driving, sleeper, on duty-not driving, duty
status-with note), record the date, time, and GPS location such that a cumulative summation
of the various statuses for 24-hr and 7 or 8 day clock (and also the 34-hr clock for Off Duty)
ELog Rules (generalization)
During a 24 hour period, the driver must adhere to the following:
1. Driving and Not Driving are considered On Duty. The technical descriptions are really:
a. On Duty Driving
b. On Duty Not Driving
c. Driver is limited to a maximum of 11 hours On Duty Driving and 3 hours On
Duty Not Driving. This is a total of 14 hours On Duty per 24 hours
2. During the 24 hours, 8 consecutive hours minimum must be Sleeper
3. During the 24 hours, 2 consecutive hours minimum (separate from the 8 hr sleeper time)
MUST be eitherOff Duty or Sleeper
a. The driver must rest a total of 10 hours in a day. This must be broken-up in 2
blocks of time: one is 8 hrs and the other is 2 hrs. The 8 hr block MUST be
Sleeper. The 2 hr block can be sleeper or off-duty... However, you cannot' have a
10 hr consecutive block of Sleeper.
b. Important times
i. 11 hours total driving
ii. 3 hours total on duty not driving
iii. 8 hour block must be sleeper
iv. 2 hour block can be either sleeper or off duty
4. Notifications to Driver should occur when:
a. Driver hits 10 Hours On Duty Driving
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i. WARNING: Only 1 hour of On Duty remaining in your 24 hour period
ii. On Duty Driving icon changes to Amber / Yellow at 10 hours
iii. Change On Duty Driving icon to Red at 11 hours AND pop-up Seek Safe
Haven if they are currently operating under this icon
iv. If they are operating under another duty cycle, and the On Duty Driving
icon is Red and the driver clicks on it, the following should display:
1. You have reached your 11 hr maximum limit for your 24-hr
period. Do you want to Seek Safe Haven? YES NO
a. If YES, go to Seek Safe Haven screen for On Duty Driving
b. If NO, just cancel
b. Driver hits 2 hours On Duty Not Driving
i. WARNING: Only 1 hour of On Duty Not Driving remaining in your 24
hour period
ii. On Duty Not Driving icon changes to Amber / Yellow at 2 hours
iii. On Duty Not Driving icon changes to Red at 3 hours AND pop-up Seek
Safe Haven if they are currently operating under this icon
iv. If operating under another icon, and the On Duty Not Driving icon is Red
and the driver clicks on it, the following should display:
1. Do you want to Seek Safe Haven? YES NO
a. If YES, go to Seek Safe Haven screen for On Duty Not
Driving
b. If NO, just cancel
5. When On Duty Driving and On Duty Not Driving limits are reached, the following
notifications will appear:
a. STOP DRIVING! You have reached 11 hours On Duty in your 24 hour period.
i. The response choices should be OK and Seek Safe Haven
b. LIMIT REACHED! You have reached 3 hours On Duty Not Driving in your 24
hour period
i. The response choices should be OK and Seek Safe Haven
6. On Duty Exception (called Seek Safe Haven)
a. If the Driver has more than 11 hours On Duty Driving, he has to use what is
called Seek Safe Haven. This means he can exceed 11 hours, but it requires a note
description.
b. Common reasons can be selected from the included list, or Other can be selected
for the driver to input the unlisted reason for exceeding 11 hrs On Duty Driving.
So, once 11 hours On Duty Driving is reached, the driver must click Seek Safe
Haven, and then select a DDL:
i. In traffic, not moving, unable to exit or pull-over
ii. In traffic, moving slowly, unable to exit or pull-over
iii. Moving, no available exits or places to pull-over
iv. Moving, but too dangerous to stop at this time
v. Other (driver to enter reason)
c. If exceeding 3 hours On Duty Not Driving, DDL options:
i. With vehicle during road-side assistance
ii. Vehicle in yard, awaiting open dock to load / unload
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iii. Awaiting vehicle transfer
iv. Other (driver to enter reason)
7. RESTART
a. This option is a button which is available ONLY after the 34-hr Off Duty
requirement is met
i. RESTART puts the 24-hr and 7/8 day clock back to 0
b. When RESTART is selected, provide the option to change driving schedule:
i. You are about to RESTART your eLog clock.
ii. Select an option:
1. RESTART with 7-day 60-hr schedule
2. RESTART with 8-day 70-hr schedule
iii. OK CANCEL
c. If select OK, the program would then begin totaling hours starting from 0
Notes:
1. The eLog clock gets reset when a period of 34 hours of Off Duty is reached.
2. Sleeper Berth and Off Duty are separate
3. Off duty has to be off 10 hours in 24 hours, but has to be 8 consecutive hours as Sleeper
and then an additional 2 hours consecutive Off Duty (or Sleeper) segment that is NOT
contiguous with the original 8-hr Off Duty segment.
4. Sleeper berth hours dont count toward the 34 hours necessary
5. RESTART  keeps them off the clock. Driver could make a mistake and restarts.. then
has to rescind and note that he made a mistake
6. Seek Safe HavenThis is when the Driver is going to bust a segment limit such as
Driving past 11 hours in a 24-hour period because he is stuck in traffic and cant get to an
exit off ramp.
7. Breakdowns count as on duty
8. Remember Off Duty requires NO / ZERO responsibility

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eLog Examples
ELD eLog system provides a more accurate and semi-automated approach to monitoring HOS.

If a driver operates on the period of 70 hours in 8 days, use the summary sheet on the left; if
operating on the period of 60 hours in 7 days, use the summary sheet on the right. Entries should
be made for each day - even when driver does not work. If no work is performed, enter zero (0)
in first column and compute other columns as explained below.
70 HOURS - 8 DAYS
Enter the number of working hours (on duty & driving) for each of the last seven days of the
preceding month in the first seven spaces under the column headed "Hours Worked Today".
Enter in the first space under Column A the Total of the number of hours worked during the last
7 days. Subtract the figure entered in Column A from 70 hours and enter this figure - hours
available for tomorrow - in Column B.
At the end of each day, complete the first three columns adjacent to the days of month in the
same manner as explained above. Total the number of hours worked during the last 8 days and
enter in Column C. If any number in Column C exceeds 70, no driving should have been done.
Any driving that was done is a violation and should be circled for easy identification.
34-hour restart: It you meet the 34-hour restart requirements in 395.3, you have 70 hours
available again. You would then begin your totaling on the day of the restart and not go back the
full 7 or 8 days.
60 HOURS - 7 DAYS

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Follow the same instructions provided for completing the summary sheet for 8 days - 70 hours,
except substitute last six days for last seven days and 60 hours for 70 hours.
34-hour restart: If the driver meets the 34-hour restart requirements in 395.3, you have 60 hours
available again. You would then begin your totaling on the day of the restart and not go back the
full 6 or 7 days.
A completed paper eLog may look like the following:

eLog Daily automated reporting and driver input
1. Date
2. Truck
a. Number - input
b. License plate - input
3. Trailer Number
a. Number - input
b. License plate - input
4. Location (daily)
a. Starting address, date & time - input
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b. Ending address, date & time - input
5. Driver
a. Name - input
b. Employee number - input
6. Co-Driver
a. Name - input
b. Employee number- input
7. Shipping Documents
a. Manifest number- input
b. Bill of Laden number - input
c. Shipper - input
d. Commodity - input
8. Total Miles Driving Today
9. Total Miles Today
10. Certification signature
11. Mark Time (driver selects buttons for ON and OFF)
a. when a start time for any option is selected, then it automatically sets the stop
time of any previously set condition
b. Each Day is between the time of 12:00:00 AM to 11:59:59 PM
c. At each mark time point the following data are required:
i. Auto stamp date
ii. Auto stamp time
iii. Auto stamp GPS location
iv. Option: input location address
v. Option: associate camera / gallery pictures
vi. Option: driver notes
vii. Option: load
1. Pro
2. Manifest
3. Other
viii. Option: unload
1. Pro
2. Manifest
3. Other
ix. Display auto-accumulated times for each of the 4 marking options
1. Daily
2. Last 7 days
3. Weekly (must previously input start date or repeat weekly from a
given day of the week)
x. Identify if a change in any of the vehicles happen
1. Input new vehicle(s) ID
2. GPS location auto-stamp
3. Date/Time auto-stamp
4. Notes - input
d. Mark Time options
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i. Off Duty
1. Not working, no responsibility - input
2. Start time - input
3. Stop time - input
ii. Sleeper Berth
1. 10 hour break every day
a. At least 8 hours in the sleeper both - input
b. 2 hour can sit in the driver seat / walk around, but not
sleeping - input
2. Start time - input
3. Stop time - input
iii. Driving
1. As soon as you start the engine and start moving
2. Can only drive for 11 hours, but can be On Duty for 14 hours
3. Start time - input
4. Stop time - input
iv. On Duty (not driving)
1. E.g., backs to loading dock. Maximum of 3 hours - input
2. Truck cannot be moving
3. Once driver pasts 3 hours of waiting time, it eats into drivers
actually drive time
4. Start time - input
5. Stop time - input
e. Report running hours
i. For each of the 4 conditions
ii. Summary of all 4 conditions - input
1. Daily
2. Last 7 days
3. Week-to-date
4. Last 30 days
5. Monthly
iii. On duty driving for 11 hours / day - input
1. Need half-hour break within 8 hrs on duty
iv. On-Duty NOT driving for 3 hrs / day - input
On Duty Time Variables
When On Duty Not Driving is selected, it needs to be associated with a reason. The reason could
be a pre-selected reason (see list below) or could be a field input.
Pre-selected reasons: - input
1.
2.
3.
4.

Waiting to be dispatched
Inspecting, servicing, or conditioning vehicle
In or on vehicle (except sleeper-berth time)
Loading vehicle

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5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Unloading vehicle
Repairing, obtaining assistance, or attending a disabled vehicle
Performing other work for the motor carrier
Complying with drug or alcohol requirements
Performing compensated work for hire (not driving)

These fields need to be displayed and filled in by the driver. At the end of each day, a report has
to be generated.
1. Date (automatic)
2. DRIVERS VEHICLE INSPECTION REPORT (completed by the driver)
3. Claimers
a. I detect no defect or deficiency in this motor vehicle as would be likely to affect
the safety of its operation or result in mechanical breakdown - input
b. I detect the following defects or deficiencies in this motor vehicle as would be
likely to affect the safety of its operation or result in its mechanical breakdown
(list below):
i. Tractor/Truck: (describe in detail) - input
ii. Trailer: (describe in detail) - input
4. Total Miles Driving Today
5. Total Mileage Today
6. Vehicle 1 info
7. Vehicle 2 info
8. Driver adds online written signature in response to this certification statement
9. Co-Driver needs to add his online written signature in response to this certification
statement
10. Shipping documents
a. BOL or Manifest Number
b. Shipper and Commodity
11. Enter the name of place driver reported and where released from work and when and
where each change of duty occurred: NOTE: this may be automatic as every time a
driver phase change is clicked, the app is automatically recording date, time and GPS
address location
12. If defects checked:
a. For Mechanic:
i.
Defects corrected - input
ii.
Defects need not be corrected for safe operation of vehicle - input
iii.
Mechanics name - input
iv.
Mechanics signature - input
13. Drivers signature
Vehicle Inspection Report
1. Date - input
2. Truck
b. Number - input
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c. License plate - input
3. Trailer Number
d. Number - input
e. License plate - input
4. Claimers (radio buttons)
f. I detect no defect or deficiency in this motor vehicle as would be likely to affect
the safety of its operation or result in mechanical breakdown - input
g. I detect the following defects or deficiencies in this motor vehicle as would be
likely to affect the safety of its operation or result in its mechanical breakdown
(list below):
v.
Tractor/Truck: (describe in detail) - input
vi.
Trailer: (describe in detail) - input
5. If defects checked:
h. For Mechanic: (radio buttons)
vii.
Defects corrected - input
viii.
Defects need not be corrected for safe operation of vehicle - input
ix.
Mechanics name - input
x.
Mechanics signature - input
6. Drivers signature

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