Hours of Service 4.5 Release Notes

This release covers changes to the Omnitracs Hours of Service application that are related to FMCSA ELD compliance. For more information on the FMCSA ELD mandate and Omnitracs’ plans for compliance, please see our ELD Facts website: http://eldfacts.com/

The ELD changes defined here are available to customers participating in ELD beta. If you would like to participate in the ELD beta on IVG, please email us at: eldbeta@omnitracs.com.

For previous release notes, click here.

ELD Features Available if Running the IVG ELD Firmware

Feature/Function AOBRD Running ELD (IVG)
Unassigned Driving reconciled Host Only Mobile; if rejected then host
Mobile Edits can be disabled Yes No
Driver can approve/decline edits from carrier No Yes
Auto on-duty/off-duty at login/logout Yes No
Events timed to seconds No Yes
Capture VIN from ECM No Yes
Capture Engine Hours from ECM No Yes
Complete edit audit history visible on host No (original and last only) Yes

Features and Enhancements

Time Resolution Format

Times now display with a resolution to seconds. For vehicles with ELD software, the time is accurate to the second and displays the true values. For vehicle with AOBRD software, the time is accurate to the minute and displays 00 for the seconds. With ELD software, violations are reported when the driver is in violation for one second. For AOBRD software, violations are still reported when the driver is in violation for one minute.

Note: For information on how web services were affected, see Web Services.

The example below shows the new time resolution format for duty statuses reported from ELD software.

Carrier-Initiated Driver Log Edits

Edits made to drivers’ logs by the carrier through the Hours of Service application function differently and display differently within the Hours of Service application, depending on if the in-cab software is ELD compliant or an AOBRD.

The look and function of carrier-initiated edits to logs for a driver using AOBRD software are unchanged. Edits to logs for a using ELD software are not automatically accepted, but remain in a Pending state until reviewed and accepted by the driver through the in-cab software. The edited record for the driver with ELD software displays as italic and is flagged as Pending within the Hours of Service host application until the driver accepts or rejects the proposed changes.

Note: Pending duty status changes cannot be edited.

In summary:

  • If the software in the cab is an AOBRD, carrier-initiated log updates are still automatically accepted and are never shown as Pending within the Hours of Service host application.
  • If the software is ELD-compliant, the driver is prompted upon login to the in-cab software to accept reject those changes. Until they’re acknowledged by the driver, the edited log record shows as Pending within the Hours of Service host application.

The original, unedited logs display on reports until the driver accepts the proposed carrier-initiated edits.

Driver-Initiated Driver Log Edits (ELD Only)

To meet the requirements of the ELD mandate, all drivers may now edit their logs from the in- cab software and driver- initiated edits can no longer be disabled from the Hours of Service host application.

Unassigned Vehicle Movement (ELD Only)

What was previously referred to as “Unknown” driving, e.g. when a driver’s credentials are rejected upon login or a driver logs out before being authenticated, is no longer reported as such by the mobile. Drive time recorded by a mobile without an authenticated driver is reported as Unidentified Driving. This means that no “Driving” duty status records display for an ELD vehicle in the Vehicle Details page of the Hours of Service application when the “Unknown” filter is selected.

When unidentified driving is recorded on an ELD, the next driver that logs in to that mobile is required to accept or reject the unassigned driving records that have been saved by the mobile.

Note: A host user will not be able to assign these Unidentified Driving records unless a driver has rejected them or an 8-day period has passed with no action taken on the mobile.

Vehicle Identifier (VIN) Capture

To meet the requirements of the ELD mandate, the VIN is captured from the JBus and displayed on the mobile interface and in reports.

Engine Hours Capture

To meet the requirements of the ELD mandate, engine hours are captured and displayed on the mobile interface and in reports. The engine hours are displayed for duty statuses, and elapsed (accumulated) engine hours are displayed for non-duty statuses.

Web Services

For more information on web services in this and prior releases, go here: https://intinfo.omnitracs.com/display/qhosint/Integrating+with+Omnitracs+Hours+of+Service

The following web services include the new parameter TimeResolutionInSeconds that specifies whether certain values in the response are returned in seconds or minutes (false: minutes; true: seconds).

  • CanadaDriverLogReport
  • CanadaDriverLogReport2
  • DriverLogQueue
  • DriverLogQueueByGroup
  • DriverLogQueueEx
  • DriverLogQueueByGroupEx
  • DriverViolations
  • DriverViolationsByGroup
  • ExportDriver
  • ExportDriverByDepotId
  • ExportDriverClock
  • ExportDriverClockByDepotId
  • ExportDriverLog
  • GetLogExceptions
  • GetLogExceptionsByDepot
  • LogEvents
  • USDriverLogReport
  • USDriverLogReport2

The following chart shows what web services have modified time-related parameters.

Web Service Parameter Meaning
GetDataRanges FirstStatusChange Earliest status change for the driver in GMT (truncated to the minute)
GetDataRanges LastStatusChange Latest status change for the driver in GMT (truncated to the minute)
GetRestBreakExemptionUsage RbeUsageStartTime Time when rest break exemption started (truncated to the minute)
GetRestBreakExemptionUsage RbeUsageEndTime Time when rest break exemption ended (truncated to the minute)
GetRestBreakExemptionUsageByDepot RbeUsageStartTime Time when rest break exemption started (truncated to the minute)
GetRestBreakExemptionUsageByDepot RbeUsageEndTime Time when rest break exemption ended (truncated to the minute)
GetViolationEvents EventTime Time that driver crossed the threshold causing the event (truncated to the minute)
GetViolationEvents CaculationTime Time calculated that the driver crossed the threshold (truncated to the minute)

Changes and Additions to Web Services Exposed in the Prior Releases

The web services AddVehicle, UpdateVehicle, and Get were updated in a prior release to include the parameter PlateNumber: the license plate number for the vehicle. This parameter is now required under ELD.

The web services AddEx, AddWithCarrierName, UpdateDriverEx, and UpdateEx have the following new fields.

Parameter Meaning
CDL Commercial driver's license
CDLState Issuing state or province
ELDExempt Flag indicating driver is exempt from ELD requirements
ELDExemptReason Reason for exemption

Other web service changes are as follows.

Web Service Parameter Meaning
Get ELDExempt Flag indicating driver is exempt from ELD requirements
  ELDExemptReason Reason for exemption
Get USDotNumber US DOT Number of the carrier
Add USDotNumber US DOT Number of the carrier
Update USDotNumber US DOT Number of the carrier

IVG User Interface Changes (ELD Only)

Drivers with companies participating in the IVG firmware beta will see the following login/log out screens. Drivers are now required to identify a duty status upon login and log out.

Initial Login

When logging in to the IVG, drivers are no longer On Duty by default. They are prompted to identify their duty status immediately after they enter their ID and password.

Logging Out

There’s a logout prompt that parallels the login prompt for drivers forcing them to identify their duty status when they log out.

Previous Releases


© 2019 Omnitracs, LLC. All rights reserved.
Omnitracs is a trademark of Omnitracs, LLC. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Omnitracs endeavors to ensure that the information in this document is correct and fairly stated, but Omnitracs is not liable for any errors or omissions. Published information may not be up to date, and it is important to confirm current status with Omnitracs. Specifications subject to change without notice.

This technical data may be subject to U.S. and international export, re-export or transfer (export) laws. Diversion contrary to U.S. and international law is strictly prohibited.