What Status Should We Use In Stopped Traffic?

One little thing I noticed in the explanations given here is the 30 min break is currently required after a maximum of 8hrs since you first went on duty ( aka pre trip) regardless of when you actually started driving. They are proposing to make it not start counting until you begin driving but that's only a proposal currently.

One little thing I noticed in the explanations given here is the 30 min break is currently required after a maximum of 8hrs since you first went on duty ( aka pre trip) regardless of when you actually started driving. They are proposing to make it not start counting until you begin driving but that's only a proposal currently.

The break is part of your driving clock. You are limited to driving for no more than 8 hours without a break. If you drive for 6 hours non-stop then after 30 minutes off duty you can hit the road for the remaining 5 hours.

The "pro-tip" of driving at least three hours before a break is you can't drive for more than any 8 hour stretch. So if you stop for coffee after 2 hours, you must stop for another 30 minutes if you need to use all 11 hours. Math lesson: 2+8=10 so you'll need another break to get that last hour in.

Sometimes you're forced to take a long break at the beginning of your shift. Oh, well, you're a trucker now.

In the replies above, there seems to be an emphasis on using the sleeper birth rather than just off duty?

I understand the value of 2 hours or more in the SB. Are you implying that there is a perception difference? I.e. the DOT reacts differently to 1 hour in the the SB while waiting at a shipper vs off duty for 1 hour while waiting?

Do they feel SB is more off duty than being off duty in the front seats.

Any difference in waiting for a phone call or knock on the door vs a specific time? I could see that. In one case, I need to be ready to go whenever they call. In the other, I could go shopping or for a walk or sleep soundly until it's time.

I am confused about taking breaks while being unloaded. If we are not allowed to remain in our truck while being unloaded, and have to wait inside in a driver area or lounge, can we not be "off duty"? I have logged such, and have had two inspections by ODOT without any issues.

I am confused about taking breaks while being unloaded. If we are not allowed to remain in our truck while being unloaded, and have to wait inside in a driver area or lounge, can we not be "off duty"? I have logged such, and have had two inspections by ODOT without any issues.

Gray matter which could be interpreted either way. If you must go inside to a waiting area during the unload, that should be Off Duty. If you are required to count the pallets as they are removed by the forklift driver, that should be On Duty, Not Driving.

Legally? Log what you do, as you do it.

Realistically? Use common sense.

*NOTE* Always remember to follow your company policies and procedures.

I mentioned my friend earlier. He goes off duty whenever he's not actively doing trucking work. That includes waiting outside or in a special waiting area. I'm not supervising anything, the loaders with forklifts do that. I mean my friend marks that kind is waiting as off duty.

As for sleeper berth compared to off duty, the only official place you need to use SB is for the split sleeper hack. Other than that there's no real difference. It's smart to mark off duty time as SB when there's no reason you wouldn't be in your bunk area.

Driving. The truck is running, you are at the wheel and you are on a roadway. Doesn't matter if a snail could move faster. Its driving and any DOT officer would agree.