What 395.24(c) means in plain language
Your electronic logging device (ELD) is required to transfer data to a safety official when requested. This citation applies when you're unable to do so. The regulation covers situations where an inspector asks for your ELD records and your device cannot deliver them—whether due to technical failure, connectivity problems, missing data, or incompatibility.
This is distinct from falsifying records or failing to have records. This code specifically targets the mechanics of data transfer. If a safety official pulls you over and asks to download your hours-of-service data from your ELD, your device must be able to transmit that information in the format the official needs.
The requirement applies at every roadside inspection, port-of-entry check, or official inquiry. If your ELD won't communicate, you're in violation—even if your actual hours and records are accurate and honest.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our inspection records, 395.24(c) is extremely rare. Our database shows zero citations for this code in the last 12 months and zero in the last 90 days. All-time, we have recorded zero citations for 395.24(c).
Because no citations have been issued for this code in our dataset, we cannot calculate an out-of-service rate or compare it to the national average. However, this does not mean the violation is impossible or that enforcement won't happen. It reflects the current state of roadside inspection data: either inspectors are not citing it, or it is being cited so infrequently that it has not yet appeared in our 13 million inspection records.
If you've received a citation for 395.24(c), you are in a very small group. The rarity itself suggests that most carriers and drivers have functioning ELD hardware and software that successfully transmit data on request.
Who gets cited most
Given zero citations in our all-time dataset, we cannot identify a state distribution or carrier pattern for this specific code. No state stands out, and no carrier appears in our enforcement records for 395.24(c).
This absence of data is itself informative: if your ELD is properly maintained and you've never had a transfer failure during an inspection, you are aligned with the practical enforcement pattern we observe across the industry.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
Within the hours-of-service category, 395.24(c) sits alongside several peer violations. The broader 395.24 code—which covers ELD form and manner violations—has accumulated 106,486 citations across our records with a 0.0% out-of-service rate, indicating that inspectors typically issue warnings or non-OOS citations for ELD form issues.
By contrast, more serious HOS violations like 395.8A1-HOSP (failing to have a record of duty status using the prescribed method) carry a 92.9% out-of-service rate, and 395.8(a)(1) (not using the appropriate recording method) reaches 93.2% OOS. These codes result in immediate removal from service far more often than the broader 395.24 category.
False records of duty status (395.8E-HOSPD) generates 83,660 citations with a 9.6% OOS rate—higher than the ELD form category but much lower than the enforcement severity of failing to record hours at all. The data suggests that data transfer failures are treated less severely than falsification or complete absence of records.
How to avoid it
Prevent 395.24(c) citations with these concrete steps:
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Test your ELD data export before every trip. Most ELD devices allow you to preview or simulate a data transfer without submitting it to an official. Run this test during your pre-trip inspection to catch connectivity or compatibility issues while you're still in the yard, not at roadside.
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Keep your ELD device and app updated. Manufacturers release firmware and software updates that fix transfer bugs and improve compatibility with official inspection tools. Check for updates weekly and apply them during scheduled maintenance, not on the road.
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Verify USB and cable integrity. Many ELDs require a physical connection to transfer data. Inspect your ELD's port and any cables monthly for damage, corrosion, or loose connectors. A kinked or frayed cable may prevent data transfer even if your device is working.
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Document your ELD model and serial number. Carry a photo or printout of your device's details. If a transfer fails during inspection, you can reference this to help the inspector troubleshoot or log the incident in writing for your carrier.
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Communicate with your carrier's safety team immediately if you experience transfer problems. Do not attempt to hide or work around a failing ELD. Report it so your fleet can escalate to the manufacturer and ensure your device is serviced or replaced. A non-functioning ELD is a safety and compliance liability.
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Know your ELD's connectivity requirements. Some devices need Bluetooth, others need USB, some require an internet connection. Before you're stopped at roadside, confirm which method your device uses and ensure you have the necessary adapters or stable connectivity available.
The zero-citation history for this code means most drivers never encounter it. Routine maintenance, pre-trip testing, and prompt reporting of ELD issues to your carrier will keep you in that group.