Cargo Van ELD: What Is Required and What Brokers Now Ask For
Expedited cargo van carriers built their business without an ELD because the mandate never touched them. That changed the moment vetting platforms started asking for a live telematics connection. This page covers the rules and the fastest low-cost setup.
Do cargo vans need an ELD?
A cargo van under 10,001 lbs GVWR is not covered by the FMCSA ELD mandate and does not need an ELD for federal compliance. It may still need one to keep booking freight, because brokers and carrier-vetting platforms increasingly require a connected ELD or telematics account. ELD Hub provides that for $15 per vehicle per month with no contract.
Last verified by ELD Hub.
4 quick steps — personal details, company info, billing, done. About 2 minutes.
When an ELD Is Required — and When It Is Not
Federal mandate: only at 10,001 lbs GVWR and above
Most cargo vans are below that line, which is why van carriers were never in scope.
Interstate commerce still applies
Being ELD-exempt does not exempt you from USDOT registration, insurance filings or safety rules if you operate interstate for hire.
Broker vetting is the new driver of demand
Load boards and vetting platforms use ELD data to verify the vehicle and its location. No connection can mean no loads, regardless of weight.
Van plus trailer changes the math
If the combined rating crosses 10,001 lbs, federal HOS and ELD rules can apply to the whole combination.
ELD HUB is an FMCSA-registered ELD provider and is fully integrated with Highway and Trucker Tools. If a broker or carrier-vetting platform is asking you to connect an ELD, an ELD HUB account satisfies that request — including on sprinter vans, cargo vans, box trucks and vehicles under 10,000 lbs. Month to month at $15 per vehicle, no contract, and hardware at $150 per device with free shipping.
Hardware and Setup
- Any cargo van with a standard OBD-II port works with the PT-30 — plug in and drive.
- $150 one-time for the device with cable, free ground shipping in the mainland USA, 5–7 business days.
- Already own a PT-30 or IOSiX from a previous provider? We re-register it free.
- Driver app runs on the phone the driver already carries, iOS or Android.
- Integrated with Highway and Trucker Tools, so a broker asking you to connect an ELD can be satisfied with an ELD HUB account.
FAQ
Can I run an ELD in a cargo van voluntarily?+
Yes. Nothing stops an exempt carrier from running a real ELD account, and it is the normal way to satisfy a broker or vetting-platform requirement. You get GPS tracking, duty-status records and DVIR alongside it.
Is an ELD required for a vehicle under 10,001 lbs?+
No. The FMCSA ELD mandate applies to commercial vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,001 lbs or more that are required to keep records of duty status. A sprinter van, cargo van or light box truck under 10,001 lbs GVWR is outside the mandate. Many carriers still add an ELD because brokers and carrier-vetting platforms now ask for a connected ELD or telematics account before releasing loads.
Why is a broker or vetting platform asking me for an ELD if I am exempt?+
Broker-side vetting is not the FMCSA. Platforms use a live ELD or telematics connection to confirm the truck exists, is where the carrier says it is, and matches the MC on the load. That is an access requirement to book freight, not a federal requirement. ELD HUB is integrated with Highway and Trucker Tools, so an ELD HUB account meets that requirement.
Is ELD HUB integrated with Highway and Trucker Tools?+
Yes. ELD HUB is fully integrated with both Highway and Trucker Tools. Once your device is installed and reporting, your duty status and vehicle location can be connected to those platforms so brokers can verify the load — on vans, box trucks and vehicles under 10,000 lbs as well as tractors.
What is the cheapest way to add an ELD to a van or light truck?+
ELD HUB is $15 per truck per month, month to month with no contract and a 14-day free trial. Hardware is a one-time $150 PT-30 with the cable included and free ground shipping in the mainland USA, 5–7 business days — the lowest device price on the market. If you already own a PT-30 or IOSiX unit, we re-register it at no cost.
How fast can I be set up?+
Register online in about two minutes, plug the device into the vehicle's diagnostic port, and pair it to the free ELD HUB app on iOS or Android. Most single-vehicle operators are recording within a day of the device arriving; if you already own a compatible device you can be running the same day.