Setting up Simplex ELD in your fleet, step by step
A new ELD fails on day one for the same few reasons: the wrong accounts, a loose phone, a missing instruction sheet, or old logs nobody kept. Each one is avoidable before the first trip.
Written by Inely Baez
Simplex ELD setup in numbers
Setting up Simplex ELD takes six steps: confirm the device on FMCSA's registered list, create a unique account for every driver and office user, install the unit and mount the phone or tablet, stock the in-cab packet, carry over your old logs, and review unidentified driving in the first week.
Most ELD problems I see in a new rollout are not device problems. They are setup gaps: two drivers sharing a login, a tablet riding loose on the seat, or last week's logs left behind on the old provider's server.
I lead operations at Simplex, and this is the checklist we work through with fleets moving to Simplex ELD. Each step maps to a rule in 49 CFR Part 395, so it doubles as your record that setup was done right.
The full briefing, read aloud
8 chapters. Select one to jump to it.
Generated with AI text-to-speech from this article's key insights, in order, rather than reading it word for word. Chapter times come from a transcript of the audio. The article itself was written and reviewed by Inely Baez.
Key takeaways
Check the listing, not the box
Simplex ELD is registered as SimpleX ELD 2 Go, ELD identifier CAUS02. Match that ID on your log header.
One driver, one username
The carrier creates each account. A driver's license or Social Security number can't be the username.
Phones and tablets must be mounted
A portable ELD has to sit in a fixed position, visible from the normal driving seat.
Your old logs don't expire when you switch
Keep the current day and previous 7 days with the driver, and 6 months of records at the office.
The first week is a test run
Review unidentified driving, driver certifications, and one practice roadside transfer per driver.
In this articleContents
What is Simplex ELD, and what are you setting up?
Simplex ELD is a three-part electronic logging system: a unit that plugs into the truck's diagnostic port, the Simplex ELD 2 GO app that drivers run on Android or iOS, and a web portal where office staff manage logs. You set up all three, and each has a different owner.
| Part | Who uses it | What setup involves |
|---|---|---|
| ELD unit | The truck | Plugging into the 9-pin or 6-pin port with the included adapter |
| Simplex ELD 2 GO app | Drivers | Installing, signing in, and pairing with the unit over Bluetooth |
| Web portal | Owners, dispatch, safety staff | Creating users and vehicles, then reviewing logs |
Plans, pricing, and the portal login live on our Simplex ELD product page. This guide covers what happens after the order: the first week, especially if you are switching from another device.
What should you check before the first trip?
Before any truck rolls, confirm the device is registered and build your account list. Both are carrier duties under 49 CFR 395.22, not the provider's.
Step 1: Confirm the registration
A carrier may use only an ELD on FMCSA's registered list. As of October 16, 2026, FMCSA's registered ELD list shows Simplex ELD as SimpleX ELD 2 Go, model CUSGEOAP, software version 2.12 and above, ELD identifier CAUS02.
Listing means the provider self-certified the device; FMCSA states it endorses none. Our guide to ELD certification explains what that does and doesn't promise.
Step 2: Build the account list
The carrier creates, updates, and deactivates every ELD account. Under 49 CFR 395.22(b) through (e), each driver account needs:
- First and last name exactly as shown on the driver's license
- A unique username chosen by the carrier, never the license number or Social Security number
- The driver's valid license number and the state that issued it
Office users who edit or review logs get their own accounts too, with their name as shown on a government ID. Everyone signs in with their own credentials: shared logins are a violation, not a shortcut.
How do you install Simplex ELD in each truck?
Install one unit per power unit, pair it with the driver's app, mount the phone or tablet, and put the information packet in the cab. Then have each driver practice sending logs once.
Step 3: Install, pair, and mount
Plug the unit into the diagnostic port with the adapter that fits the truck, then pair the driver's app over Bluetooth. A phone or tablet used as the display counts as a portable ELD, so 49 CFR 395.22(g) requires it to be mounted in a fixed position, visible from the normal driving seat.
Step 4: Stock the in-cab packet
Every cab needs an instruction sheet for sending logs to an officer, an instruction sheet for malfunctions, and blank paper logs for at least 8 days. The ELD user's manual no longer has to ride along: FMCSA dropped that requirement effective July 22, 2026, as our post on ELD rule changes explains.
Step 5: Practice the roadside transfer
Simplex ELD sends logs to officers by web service and email. In the app, the driver taps Roadside Inspection on the Dashboard, then Send Logs, and can add any note the officer asks for before sending.
During the drill, have the driver open the log display and find the ELD ID line. It should read CAUS02, the identifier on FMCSA's list.
What happens to your old ELD's records when you switch?
Your old records stay your responsibility after you switch. FMCSA's ELD FAQs say that when an ELD is replaced, the driver's records for the current day and the previous 7 days must still be kept, either uploaded into the new ELD or carried on paper.
Step 6: Export before you cancel
Pull everything from the old provider before the account closes. You must keep:
- Records of duty status and supporting documents for 6 months (49 CFR 395.8(k))
- A backup copy of ELD records for 6 months, on a device separate from the original (49 CFR 395.22(i))
- Unidentified driving records for each ELD for 6 months (49 CFR 395.32(c)(2))
If you are switching because your old device was removed from the registered list, FMCSA's recent removal notices give carriers up to 60 days to replace it, logging on paper in the meantime. After that deadline, a driver still using the removed device is placed out of service under 49 CFR 395.8(a)(1).
If you file IFTA from ELD mileage, export the old device's GPS data too. Our post on ELD IFTA reporting covers what that data must show.
What should you review in the first week?
Review three things at the end of the first week: unidentified driving, driver certifications, and any malfunction alerts. New installs surface setup errors fast, and each one has a rule behind it.
- Unidentified driving. Any driving with no one logged in lands on an Unidentified Driver account. Assign it to the right driver or annotate why it is unassigned (49 CFR 395.32).
- Driver certifications. Each driver certifies every 24-hour record as true and correct. Office edits only take effect after the driver accepts them and recertifies (49 CFR 395.30).
- Malfunctions. A malfunction starts a 24-hour notice clock for the driver and an 8-day repair clock for the carrier (49 CFR 395.34).
Lots of unidentified driving usually means someone is driving before signing in, or a unit is paired to the wrong truck. Fix the habit in week one, before it shows up at an inspection.
After the first week, move to a standing weekly log review. Our ELD compliance guide for fleets lays out that routine.
How Simplex helps you get set up
The device, the accounts, and the review routine all need an owner. We can take on as much of it as you need.
Simplex ELD
Compare the Lite and Premium plans and find the portal login on our Simplex ELD page. Our ELD support team answers 24/7.
ELD and hours-of-service support
Our DOT safety compliance team covers ELD and hours of service, driver qualification files, and audit support.
Ongoing HOS management
Our compliance programs include HOS management, CSA monitoring, and mock audits after setup is done.
Frequently asked questions
How do I log in to Simplex ELD?+
How do I reach Simplex ELD customer service?+
Is Simplex ELD FMCSA approved?+
Can I move my logs from my old ELD to Simplex ELD?+
Do drivers need the ELD manual in the truck?+
Where this information comes from
The requirements and registration details below come from FMCSA's ELD registry, FMCSA's ELD FAQs, federal regulation, and the Federal Register, checked on October 16, 2026.
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1
FMCSA — Registered ELD List
SimpleX ELD 2 Go (CUSGEOAP, CAUS02) registration and transfer method; the SIM2GO removal on the Revoked tab.
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2
FMCSA — ELD Frequently Asked Questions
Records to keep when an ELD is replaced, and mounting rules for phones and tablets.
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3
FMCSA — ELD News and Events
The 60-day replacement window and out-of-service enforcement for removed devices.
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4
eCFR — 49 CFR 395.22
Registered device, user accounts, portable ELD mounting, cab packet, and 6-month backup.
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5
eCFR — 49 CFR 395.8
6-month retention of records of duty status and supporting documents.
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6
eCFR — 49 CFR 395.32
Reviewing and keeping unidentified driving records.
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7
Federal Register — ELD operator's manual rescission
Final rule removing the in-cab manual requirement, effective July 22, 2026.
Written by
Inely Baez
Chief Operating Officer, Simplex Group
Chief Operating Officer at Simplex Group, with nearly eight years at the company leading operational strategy and execution across compliance, technology, logistics, and performance systems. She is a Certified Public Accountant with a background spanning operations and finance, including leadership roles within Simplex's Freight 4 U division and Velox Transport Solutions. Her work focuses on building scalable, disciplined systems that support long-term performance and growth.
Published · Updated
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Set it up once, and set it up right
Every gap in this checklist is cheaper to close in the yard than at a roadside inspection. A clean first week sets the habits for the rest of the year.
If you are moving your fleet to Simplex ELD, or want a second set of eyes on your setup, talk to our ELD team.