Weekly HOS & ELD Audit Playbook: Cut Violations and Improve CSA Scores

A weekly HOS & ELD audit is more than a quick review. In this post we’ll cover:

• Why a weekly audit wins: Turn HOS from a scramble into a predictable process—fewer violations, cleaner inspections, better CSA scores, and stronger insurance positioning.
• The 60-minute workflow (what to do each week): Pull last week’s logs and exception reports → triage by risk → coach top drivers → fix data hygiene (unidentified driving, DVIRs) → document actions and track improvements.
• Measure, automate & avoid common pitfalls: Track HOS violations/100 duty days, unidentified minutes, sign-off time and DVIR close-outs; verify ELD config (registered device, roles, data transfer, DVIR integration); fix break misses, unidentified driving and PC misuse with alerts, coaching scripts, and Simplex’s audit packs.

Why does a weekly HOS audit rhythm win?

Hours of Service (HOS) rules—and the Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) that enforce them—are major drivers of CSA scores, roadside outcomes, and insurance negotiations. A consistent weekly audit turns HOS from a scramble into a predictable process. The goal: fewer violations, cleaner inspections, and better coaching.

How Simplex Group helps: With our Simplex ELD platform, drivers log and report HOS with ease; paired with our HOS & ELD Audit services, we verify driver qualifications, file and maintain your paperwork, and keep your compliance engine running while you focus on freight.

The 60-minute weekly workflow

1) Pull the data (5 min)
Export last week’s logs and exception reports: 11/14-hour hits, 30-minute break misses, unidentified driving, edits, and odometer anomalies.

Simplex Group tip: Our audit team starts with a “top two patterns” filter (break timing + unidentified driving) to drive fast wins.

2) Triage by risk (10 min)

• Red flags: repeat 11/14-hour violations, falsification patterns, “yard move” overuse.
• Yellow flags: frequent edit requests, late sign-offs, multiple short breaks.
• Green: clean logs—use as training examples.

Simplex Group tip: In Simplex ELD, rules-based alerts surface red flags automatically so your staff reviews exceptions, not every log.

3) Coach drivers (20 min)
Meet briefly with the top 3–5 drivers by violation count. Show their log timeline, ask root-cause questions (tight appointments? confusing screens?), and agree on one behavior change for the coming week.

Simplex Group tip: We provide short coaching scripts and a one-page driver scorecard so feedback is fast and consistent.

4) Fix data hygiene (10 min)
Clear unidentified driving, correct driver/vehicle assignments, and close open DVIRs that block proper duty transitions.

Simplex Group tip: Our team reconciles unidentified drive time daily to avoid weekly pile-ups.

5) Close the loop (15 min)
Document coaching, note systemic issues (dispatch windows, unrealistic loads), and track improvements on a simple scorecard.

Simplex Group tip: We archive weekly audit packets for easy retrieval during New Entrant or compliance reviews.

Metrics that matter

• HOS violations per 100 duty days
• Unidentified driving minutes
• Average time to sign off daily logs
• DVIR defect close-out time
• No-violation inspection streaks (celebrate them!)

Manual vs. automated HOS auditing

Where Simplex fits: Our HOS & ELD Audit services run the automated review for you and hand you a prioritized action list, complete with driver coaching notes and supporting documents.

ELD configuration must-checks

• FMCSA-registered device with current firmware
• Driver roles & permissions set correctly (edits require annotations)
• Data transfer method tested (telematics or local)
• DVIR workflow integrated with maintenance tickets
• Yard move & personal conveyance policies enforced and monitored

Common HOS pitfalls (and fast fixes)

• Break misses: add in-cab countdown timers; schedule breaks into dispatch plans.
• Unidentified driving: assign yard hostlers; reconcile each shift.
• Auto-on-duty confusion: train on status changes at docks/fueling.
• Personal conveyance misuse: publish clear boundaries + audit mileage deltas.

Simplex Group advantage: Our ELD flags PC mileage deltas and frequent yard-move use so your team can coach with evidence.

Why do fleets choose Simplex Group for HOS & ELD audits?

• Simplex ELD for easy HOS logging: Drivers log quickly, managers see exceptions first.
• Audit service that does the heavy lifting: We file and maintain your paperwork, verify driver qualifications, and prep audit-ready packets.
• Root-cause coaching, not just alerts: We translate data into behavior changes that reduce repeat violations.
• Compliance continuity: When staffing changes happen, your process, documents, and renewals keep moving without disruption.

A one-hour weekly HOS/ELD audit—backed by Simplex ELD and Simplex Group’s HOS & ELD Audit services—consistently lowers violation rates and improves CSA performance. We’ll keep your driver qualifications, logs, and paperwork in order so there are no bumps in the road ahead.

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