ELD Mounting Location

I've been using a windshield mounted cradle for about 4 years and never had a word said. I'm not saying it is legal but I've never been busted for it going through scales or in any inspections.

 

They amended that reg a few years back. You can have "safety-related" devices in the dash or windshield area within reason, including in the "wiper-swipe" area. Your windshield cameras, ELD screen, lane-departure warning screens, etc are ok unless you are placing it ridiculously in front of the drivers face, or blocking a side mirror view, etc.

The short answer is here ---> Regulations and the long, gory "exact number of inches and placements" type of details are found by clicking the PDF file on that page.

 

We use an LG tablet to run our ELD program on, it's mounted in a cradle to the side of the dash down low, not visible. My phone is not connected to it, and it sits in a cradle at dash level.

 

It has to be in a place the driver can verify it is working and can reach to either side of the truck for a roadside inspection.
I would try and stay away from windsheild mounting as some placee like Houston Texas are really not keen on it.

RAM Mounts has some great stuff for mounting tablets and other devices.

 

Got a violation for the ELD mounted on windshield in Arizona today. Gonna dispute seeing trooper does not understand federal law concerning CMV.

 

And where was the officer wrong?

§ 393.60 Glazing in specified openings.
Prohibition on obstructions to the driver's field of view -
(1) Devices mounted on the interior of the windshield.
(i) Antennas, and similar devices must not be mounted more than 152 mm (6 inches) below the upper edge of the windshield. These devices must be located outside the area swept by the windshield wipers, and outside the driver's sight lines to the road and highway signs and signals.