CDL Practice Tests For Logbook Rules Page 4

What Is Off Duty Time?

By understanding the definition of on duty time, you will get a good idea of what is considered off duty time. In order for time to be considered off duty, you must be relieved of all responsibility for performing work and be free to pursue activities of your own choosing.

If you are not doing any work (paid or unpaid) for a motor carrier, and you are not doing any paid work for anyone else, you may record the time as off duty time.

Personal Use Of A Commercial Motor Vehicle

It is possible that occasionally you may not use a truck in commerce at all. You may be moving your personal belongings to a new house or, as a hobby you may be taking your horses to a horse show. As long as the activity is not in support of a business, you are not operating in commerce.

If you are not operating your truck in commerce, you are not subject to the hours of service regulations.

Eight hours of sleeper berth time:

You may also use the sleeper berth to extend the 14 hour limit. Any period in the sleeper berth of at least 8 consecutive hours will not count as part of the 14 hours, and, therefore, would allow you to extend the time during which you could use your maximum 11 hours of driving.

Many motor carriers have installed electronic devices in their trucks to help accurately record hours of service information. If such a device meets the requirements of the safety regulations, it is called an Electronic On-Board Recorder (EOBR), and may be used in place of a paper logbook.

Manufacturers of EOBRs must certify that their devices meet the minimum requirements. This includes a requirement that an EOBR must be mechanically or electronically connected to the truck to automatically record, at a minimum, engine use, road speed, miles driven, the date, and time of day. Drivers enter other information required to complete the hours-of-service records. The vast majority of EOBRs now use GPS tracking to meet these requirements.

The EOBR device must be capable of displaying or printing for enforcement officers the times of duty status changes and other required information. It must also store this information for the prior 7 days. An EOBR may be used without creating any paper copies of logs by transmitting the data electronically to the carrier, or it may be used to print copies of the logs that would be signed by the driver and mailed to the carrier.

What Is The Future Of EOBRs

Even 5 years ago, the vast majority of major trucking carriers relied on paper logs. But the DOT and FMCSA have begun a historic crackdown on enforcing and regulating, among other things, HOS rules. Violations now effect both the drivers record as well as the carriers safety rating. We are at a turning point where it now makes financial sense for trucking companies to switch over from using paper logs to EOBRs. These electronic recording devices are here to stay and will only grow in usage as time goes on. In fact, on January 31, 2011, the FMCSA proposed a rule that would require Electronic On-Board Recorders for interstate commercial truck and bus companies.

As with any major change within any industry, there has been some resistance to EOBRs. Let's bust some of the many myths and concerns you may hear about EOBRs.

“If I’m forced to use an EOBR, I’ll have less time behind the wheel.”

This is not true. Some drivers even claim EOBRs actually help them gain more time on the road. While paper log books require drivers to round up to the nearest 15 minutes, EOBRs record on-duty status right down to the minute. Over the course of a week, that can add up to hours of time on the road.

Additionally, most carriers will have access to your available driving hours at all times. That means carriers can more accurately plan your next load and use your available hours more efficiently. That leads to less downtime and more time driving.

“EOBRs require me to enter data while I'm driving which is unsafe.”

Drivers must log in to their EOBR at the beginning of their shift and log off when they’re finished for the day. As EOBRs detect when the truck is either moving or stationary, they can automatically record changes in duty status. Driver interaction while the truck’s in motion is never needed, though a countdown timer is available, ensuring you never find yourself out on the highway, unaware that you were nearly out of hours.

“An EOBR tells the government where I am and what I’m doing. I don’t want ‘big brother’ in my cab!”

Not true. Only the trucking company employees that you work for, who are authorized to view your EOBR data through, will be able to pinpoint your location. If the DOT demands an audit, they may view location-based data from your electronic logs, but they will not know your every move. It’s the same process as an audit of your paper logs, except that electronic driver logs save time and are more accurate.

“If I run out of hours, the EOBR will shut down my truck.”

Not true. Sure, remote shutdown technology is out there, but it’s not an EOBR standard. EOBRs were simply designed to record engine data—they don’t take control of your vehicle. Decisions about where a truck may safely be stopped are best left in the driver’s hands.

“EOBRs don’t make safer drivers.”

The answer is yes and no. EOBRs don’t dictate a truck’s speed, following distances, or lane changes. It also doesn't guarantee a driver is resting during his sleeper berth or off-duty time. And finally, on occasion, EOBR's will show available hours when a driver is not safe to drive. However, they do let drivers know how much time they have left behind the wheel each day. It also ensures that carriers can't "force" their drivers to drive illegally.

What if my EOBR malfunctions?

As with any electronic device, your EOBR may malfunction or become completely unusable at times. You are still required to have a paper logbook in the truck in case of a malfunction. It is your responsiblity to ensure your paper logbook accounts for all time your EOBR has been down.

Bonus Tip: Stay Away From Caffeine!

Alright, well, you don't have to completely stay away from caffeine. Everyone needs a pick-me-up now and then. But remember, every time you stop, you are using up about 10 minutes from your log. By taking in a lot of caffeine, you'll certainly have to stop more frequently. You should try to limit your caffeine intake and as long as you're being safe and healthy, limit the amount of any fluids you're drinking. This may seem like a ridiculous tip, but drivers who "think outside the box" are generally rewarded with higher earnings. Remember, every minute counts!

Arrive early

It's good practice to always arrive at your destination as quickly as possible. Many things can go wrong along the way. It would be a shame to take your time, only to have something slow you down later on. Always get as close to your customer as possible right away. If you have time to waste, you should waste it near the customer. Far too many drivers lose out on miles because they had a problem en-route and wasted too much time along the way. Not to mention, many customers will give you an earlier appointment time if you show up early, even if they said they wouldn't over the phone.

If you are picking up or delivering a load and have some time to spare on either the pick up or delivery times, call ahead and see if you can arrive early. This is an excellent way to ensure you complete the load quickly and become available for the next one. Customers are used to getting phone calls from truck drivers. Don't be afraid to call ahead.