Mandatory ELD Update Adds 14-Minute Unskippable Ad Before Every Duty Status Change

Truckers across the country woke up this week to a mandatory firmware update for their electronic logging devices that its fictional maker, LogJam Systems, calls "a bold new chapter in driver engagement."

The update, version 9.0.0-final-FINAL-v2, introduces a 14-minute unskippable video advertisement before every change of duty status. Drivers who want to switch from Driving to On Duty Not Driving must first watch a commercial for a premium subscription to the ELD they are already legally required to use.

"We heard feedback that drivers felt their logs were too accurate," said a LogJam spokesperson, who asked to be identified only as Chad from Growth. "Now every status change is also a chance to learn about our partners in extended warranties."

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Under the new system, the mandatory 30-minute break now consists of 14 minutes of advertising, a 9-minute "loading compliance" spinner and seven minutes of actual rest, which the device logs as "suspicious inactivity."

Drivers who try to skip the ad are offered a "Skip Ad" button that, when pressed, generates a form asking why they want to skip the ad. That form also has an ad.

Features drivers didn't ask for

Release notes for the update also list:

• Automatic duty status change to "On Duty" whenever the driver yawns
• A friendly chime every 90 seconds reminding drivers that they have 10 hours and 59 minutes remaining, then 10 hours and 58 minutes remaining
• Dark mode, available for $4.99 a month
• A new animated mascot, Logsy the Clipboard, who appears at 3 a.m. to ask if you're "making good choices"

The company says the update fixes a bug in which the device would occasionally work as intended.

Asked whether drivers could roll back to the previous version, Chad from Growth said, "There is no previous version. There has only ever been this version. Please rate your experience from one to five stars."

At press time, the update had been followed by an emergency patch adding a 15-minute ad explaining the first ad.