Frequently Asked Questions
Less Paperwork, More Driving
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires that all commercial drivers use an electronic logging device to automatically collect their hours of service records. More details on the ELD mandate are available on the FMCSA website.
No. The Blue Ink Tech App and the BIT web portal are free to use, so you can create a BIT account to try them out before you decide to buy our ELD. Download the app from Google Play or the Apple App Store and log into the web portal at blueinktech.com to see how easy it is to record or edit your HOS logs.
Yes. Blue Ink Tech's ELDs are FMCSA registered. See https://csa.fmcsa.dot.gov/ELD/List
BITELD model #BIT17001
BITOBD model #BIT17002
When you buy the BIT ELD you own the ELD. There are no ongoing monthly costs to use the BIT ELD to record your HOS logs or for access to BIT Customer Support.
The BIT ELD comes with a 1-year manufacturer's warranty on hardware defects. If your BIT ELD breaks or malfunctions due to a manufacturing defect within a year of the purchase date, you can return it for a free exchange.
No. There are no ongoing fees to use the BIT ELD, the Blue Ink Tech App and the BIT Web Portal to record your HOS logs.
No. There are no ongoing charges or fees to use your BIT ELD and Blue Ink Tech App to record your HOS logs for ELD mandate compliance.
We offer a 30-day money back guarantee, so if you decide the BIT ELD system isn't right for you or your fleet, you can return the ELD(s) for a full refund within that time period.
No. Our Support Team is happy to work with you to fix any issues you may have with the ELD, and we will make free exchanges for hardware malfunctions, but we do not issue refunds more than 30 days after your original purchase.
Yes. Drivers can submit their DVIRs through the Blue Ink Tech App, and those reports will be available on the Blue Ink Tech web portal for six months.
Yes. Track your drivers' in-state miles and fuel purchases with a BIT Full Service plan. More details are available here.
Yes, the Blue Ink Tech App supports team driving. The driver and co-driver can log into the app on the same phone or tablet and switch back and forth as the active user to record their own HOS logs.
The BIT ELD adapter plugs into your vehicle's diagnostic port, which is directly connected to the vehicle's ECU.
No, speed is not recorded or saved by the ELD. Speed data is only used to tell if the truck is in motion over 5mph to automatically set a “Driving” status.
Yes, you can set your driving cycle to Oilfield to correctly log your waiting time.
The BIT ELD device can be connected to the diagnostic port in most trucks. The 9-pin connector meets SAE J1939 and the 6-pin connector meets SAE 1708 and J1587 standards for serial communications in heavy-duty vehicles.
Most new model smart phones and tablets will work with the BIT ELD. Devices must have bluetooth 4.0 or better and GPS capabilities.
Recommended operating system: Android Marshmallow (6.0) or iOS 10+
No. The ELD will connect with your device through a wireless bluetooth connection.
The app is designed to use as little data as possible with periodic data syncs. Usage typically ranges from 10-20 MB per month.
Yes, you can send data to your carrier by connecting to a wifi hotspot and sending logs at the end of your day. Keep in mind that many DOT officers will ask you to send your logs to the DOT email or web server.
You can unplug the BIT ELD to free up your diagnostic port for maintenance. This will not affect the ELD or your logs. Just remember to reinstall it before you hit the road! We stock splitter cables if you need to plug more than one device into your diagnostic port at one time, or if you don't want to bother with uninstalling your ELD every time you need to do maintenance or clear fault codes. See our Purchase page for all of our adapter cable options.
Yes. We require a valid email address so if you forget your password we can send you a password reset email.
No. Each driver needs their own email address to create a unique account on the Blue Ink Tech App to record their logs.
You can download the latest version of the BIT ELD User Manual from our Support page.
Yes. You can print both cards from our Support page.
The BIT ELD transmits vehicle data to the Blue Ink Tech App on your mobile device through a Bluetooth connection. You can see the last 8 days' data on the app. The Blue Ink Tech App uploads its data to Blue Ink Tech's server where it is kept for 6 months and can be accessed through the BIT web portal at blueinktech.com.
You can see your HOS logs for the current day and the past 7 days on the Blue Ink Tech App. You can see your HOS logs for the past 6 months on the BIT web portal. The FMCSA requires that ELD providers store your data for a six month period.
You can print your logs from your BIT account on the Blue Ink Tech web portal. Log into your account and go to the Logs page. Click “Save to PDF” to create a detailed copy your logs that can be printed or saved to your computer.
Yes. You can edit your logs in the Blue Ink Tech App or on the BIT web portal. The only duty status events that have limited edits are drive times, which can only be assigned to other in-motion statuses such as “Personal Conveyance” and “Yard Move”.
You cannot directly make changes to your drivers' logs, but you can make suggested edits to their logs on the web portal. The suggested changes will show on the driver's Blue Ink Tech App home screen for them to accept or reject before certifying their logs.
The FMCSA mandates that Driving events recorded by the ELD when the vehicle was in motion cannot be changed to a non-motion status such as “Off Duty” or “Sleeper Berth”. You can only change drive time to another in-motion status such as “Personal Conveyance” or “Yard Move”.
Blinking Red – Your vehicle is moving but the BIT ELD adapter is not connected to the Blue Ink Tech App
Blinking Yellow – Your engine is on but the BIT ELD adapter is not connected to the Blue Ink Tech App
Blue – The BIT ELD adapter is ready to connect to the Blue Ink Tech app
Green – The BIT ELD adapter is connected to the Blue Ink Tech app
Purple – The BIT ELD adapter has Unidentified Driver records
Cyan – There was an error. Unplug the ELD and reinstall it
For Apple devices: open the App Store and select Updates. Press the Update button next to the Blue Ink Tech App. For Android devices: open the Google Play store and select the Blue Ink Tech App update. You can set your phone to automatically update by going to the Apple Store or Google Play and searching for Blue Ink Tech, then choosing auto-update from the menu.
Your Blue Ink Tech App Home screen will alert you if an update is available. You can set your phone to automatically update by going to the Apple Store or Google Play and searching for Blue Ink Tech, then choosing auto-update from the menu.
The ELD and your phone connect via local bluetooth, so they will still communicate and you can record your HOS logs even if you lose cell service. You do need cell service, or some type of internet connection, if you need to send your logs to the DOT during a roadside inspection, and for your Blue Ink Tech App to send data to your carrier. Per the FMCSA frequently asked questions, if you do not have cell service during a roadside inspection, it is sufficient to show the DOT officer the Roadside Inspection screen of your Blue Ink Tech App. This screen has all of the information required by the FMCSA. See here for more details.
The FMCSA requires that an ELD read the engine odometer, which is based on engine shaft rotations. This is separate from the dashboard odometer, which is usually based on wheel shaft rotation, and is less accurate due to changes in tire pressure and size.
No. The 5mph threshold for automatic “Driving” status is mandated by the FMCSA.
To free up storage space on your phone or tablet, your saved DVIR is stored on the Blue Ink Tech web portal. You can see your DVIRs for the last six months on the web portal.
The FMCSA instructs ELD manufacturers to display location information this way. Exact location is not needed for ELD mandate compliance, and it provides added privacy to the driver.
The only duty statuses automatically recorded by the BIT ELD are “Driving” and “On Duty Not Driving”. The BIT ELD detects when your vehicle is in motion and when it stops. All other duty status changes must be made by the driver.
The mini-USB port on the ELD is for future firmware updates.
You can connect your ELD to your computer with a USB cable to download programming updates directly to the ELD.
You can also use the port to plug Android phones or tablets directly into the ELD with a mini-usb cable. This will not charge the Android device, but does avoid having to connect via Bluetooth.
Your ELD should reconnect on its own after a few minutes. If it doesn't reconnect, you should try one or more of the following steps:
1. Turn off your Bluetooth, then turn off your phone or tablet.
2. Unplug the ELD.
3. Power your phone or tablet back on, then turn on your Bluetooth.
4. Plug in the ELD.
5. Navigate into the Blue Ink app to reconnect.
If these steps do not work to reconnect your ELD, please call Support at (304) 381-1512.
Select “Roadside Inspection” from the Blue Ink Tech App menu. All of the required data will be displayed on this screen for the DOT officer. We provide an Inspector Instructions card with your ELD. You can give this card to the DOT officer to help them navigate the “Roadside Inspection” screen and see how to send your logs to the DOT email or web server. You can download and print this card on our Support page.
You can send your logs to the DOT email or web server. On the “Roadside Inspection” screen tap the green gear icon in the bottom-left corner to bring up a menu of options. Tap “Send Records to DOT Web Server” or “Email Records to DOT”. The officer should give you a routing number to enter in the comment field so they can easily find the file. Your logs will be sent in the comma-separated-variable format required by the FMCSA.
Per the FMCSA's frequently asked questions, if you do not have cell service during a roadside inspection,
it is sufficient to show the DOT officer the Roadside Inspection screen of your Blue Ink Tech App.
This screen has all of the information required by the FMCSA. See here for more details.
We provide an Inspector Instructions card with your ELD. You can give this card to the DOT officer to help
them navigate the “Roadside Inspection” screen and see how to send your logs to the DOT email or web server.
You can download and print this card on our Support page.
Yes. Most bluetooth capable tablets and phones have the capacity to pin or limit screen content. Use the links below for your Apple or Android phone:
Apple Guided Access - https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202612
Android Pin Screens - https://support.google.com/nexus/answer/6118421?hl=en
You can submit a request form in the FMCSA's DataQs to have that violation removed from your record.
We can help to answer questions or provide evidence about our product for your request.
https://dataqs.fmcsa.dot.gov/Data/Guide/StakeholderRoles.pdf#nameddest=Drivers
Typically you will need two sensors, one for each leveling valve. One on the truck and one on the trailer.
Call our sales team at 304-381-1512 to discuss a custom BIT Full Service plan for your vehicle. We can work with any setup.
Yes, our push-to-connect tee fittings can be installed in minutes on your suspension system air lines.
No. You may need a knife or hose cutter to cut through the air hose for installation. If you need to remove the pressure sensor from the tee fitting you will need an adjustable wrench.
Our calibration process uses empty and full certified weights to establish two known data points. Once calibration is complete, the app interpolates current weight on all three axles using those data points.
We use the steer axle weights entered during calibration to determine current steer axle weight.
For an accurate weight, yes. If you dump the tractor air bags to take weight off the fifth wheel when you move it, you definitely need to recalibrate.
No. BIT Air Scale works in the existing Blue Ink Tech App and web portal.
We offer a 30-day money back guarantee, and you can send back your sensors for a full refund within that time period.
No, we don't issue refunds for hardware more than 30 days after your original purchase
When your weights seem to be getting further from your actual weight tickets it is likely that there is a small leak in your air suspension line which is a common occurance. The BIT Air Scale sensors are reading the pressure from the suspension and using its calibration function to tell you the weight. If there is a small leak in the line then this can make your readings further off as the air escapes.
Quick fix: spray your air suspension and all connections with soapy water. If bubbles appear then you have found the leak. Repair and recalibrate to get accurate readings moving forward.
Trucks may seem like they are always the same size and weight at all times but they are not. Trucks consume a lot of fluids and use a lot of rubber. If you enter weights from memory your calibrations will be very inaccurate. Fuel, DEF, anti-freeze, and tire tread are always changing and if you don't use certified scales to get the most accurate weights possible you could be off over 1,000 lbs on your calibrations.
Trucks consume a lot of fluids and use a lot of rubber. If you enter weights from previous days your scale readings your air scales will be very inaccurate. Fuel, DEF, anti-freeze, and tire tread are always changing and if you don't use certified scales at the time of calibration to get the most accurate weights possible you could be off thousands of pounds/kilograms.
Log into the web portal at www.blueinktech.com and go to the “Subscriptions” page to sign up for BIT Full Service on any of your vehicles.
BIT Full Service subscription fees are billed monthly. Payment will be charged to your account on the first day of each month.
If you need to use a different card for your recurring subscription payments, please call our office at 304-381-1512. We can update your information for future payments.
Call us at 304-381-1512 before your next billing date to cancel service.
Yes. Our in-house Support Team is here to help you with technical issues or to walk you through any BIT products and features. Email support@blueinktech.com or call 304-381-1512 and select option 2 to speak with a Support Team member.
Yes. You will have access to your IFTA data for the entire month in which you subscribe.
No. IFTA Reports provides the in-state miles for your vehicles and tracks the fuel purchases based on your fuel receipt entries.
We use the GPS capabilities on your phone or tablet to record your location.
GPS tracking uses satellites, while cell service uses cellular towers, so losing cell service should not affect your Fleet Visibility breadcrumb trail.
No. Your tablet or phone must have GPS tracking capabilities for your location to be recorded.
