Straight answer
What does an ELD cost, and which one should I buy?
ELD subscriptions commonly run $180 to $480 per truck per year depending on the provider and what's bundled. The single non-negotiable requirement is that the device appears on FMCSA's registered ELD list. Devices get removed from that list, and when one is revoked, every carrier using it has a short window to replace it or fall out of compliance.
We don't have one brand to push. We select against your operation, buy at cost, and charge $75 a truck to set it up properly and train the driver. If you'd rather buy it yourself and just have us configure it, that's the same $75.
What we supply
Devices and what they're actually for
ELD
Hours of service recording, required for most interstate CMV operations. We check the device is currently FMCSA-registered before you buy, configure your carrier profile and exemptions, and train the driver on edits, annotations and the roadside transfer procedure.
Dash cams
Road-facing, or road plus driver-facing. In a disputed accident, footage is often the only thing standing between you and a claim you didn't cause. Several insurers offer premium credits for cameras — ask your agency before you buy.
GPS trackers
Asset tracking for trailers and equipment, plus location visibility for shippers who require it as a condition of hauling. Some drop trailer programs mandate it.
Driver-facing cameras: think before you install
Inward-facing cameras reduce insurance premiums and settle disputes. They also make drivers quit, and in a market where hiring is hard that cost is real. Some states have specific rules on recording audio inside a vehicle. Decide deliberately, tell drivers before they're hired, not after.
Setup included
What the $75 covers
- Confirming the device is on FMCSA's current registered ELD list
- Carrier profile, USDOT number, timezone and cycle rules configured correctly
- Exemptions set properly — personal conveyance, yard move, short-haul if applicable
- Driver account created and walked through log edits, annotations and certification
- Roadside inspection transfer method tested before you need it
- Unassigned driving time alerts configured so it doesn't pile up unnoticed
Market comparison
How our price compares
Market figures are published 2026 US industry ranges, not our own estimates.
| Option | Typical cost | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Buy direct from provider | Hardware + subscription | Configuration and training on you |
| Truck Dispatching USA | Cost + $75/truck | Registered-list checked, configured, driver trained |
| Full fleet tech installers | $150 – $400/truck | Typically includes physical installation |
Answers
ELD, dash cams & trackers — questions
How much does an ELD cost per truck?
ELD subscriptions typically run $180 to $480 per truck per year depending on provider and features, plus the hardware. We supply hardware at cost and charge $75 per truck for configuration and driver training. If you already own a device, the $75 configuration service is available on its own.
How do I know if an ELD is compliant?
The device must appear on FMCSA's registered ELD list at the time you use it. Devices are occasionally removed from that list, and when that happens carriers using them have a limited window to replace the device. We verify current registration before you buy and re-check periodically for clients on our compliance plan.
Do dash cams lower insurance premiums?
Several insurers offer credits for safety technology including dash cams, but it varies by carrier and by your risk profile. Ask your licensed insurance agency what discount applies to your specific policy before you buy the hardware — the answer decides whether it pays for itself.
Should I install driver-facing cameras?
It's a genuine trade-off. They help in disputed claims and can reduce premiums, but they are a common reason drivers leave, which costs real money when hiring is difficult. Some states also regulate in-cab audio recording. Decide before you hire, and be upfront with drivers about it.
Want this handled?
Tell us where you are — brand new authority, adding a truck, or drowning in paperwork. We'll tell you which of these you actually need and which you don't.