What Is " Downtime" In A Truckers Life?

I have seen some people use the phrase downtime in a few posts. I am confused by what that actually means. I understand there are times where you might run out of hours durring the week. I understand that sometimes you might have like a layover weighting for a new load. I have also herd some drivers talk about how they would drive into town and find a safe spot to park the truck and go to a sports bar, have a few drinks, some go see a movie, some might go to the casino and play some card or what not, but i dont understand how? My understanding is once you are out of drive time, you cant drive your truck anymore right? Like when you run out of hours for the day, or week, doesnt your truck have to remain parked?

Justin the term down time is an all encompassing term that basically means you can't drive. If its because of a break down, waiting to load, waiting to unload, waiting for the roads to clear, waiting out your 34 restart......its all down time. basically its time you don't get paid for....

Let me add that Starcar is correct but to expound upon that, it means you can't drive the truck to advance to load toward your destination. You can drive off duty to run personal errands or to do the things you mentioned.

Hope this helps to explain "down time".

Okay thanks for all the replys. But a little hazzy on one area. Cant advance your load, does that mean you have to leave your load at a truck stop or can you keep it attatced?

Okay thanks for all the replys. But a little hazzy on one area. Cant advance your load, does that mean you have to leave your load at a truck stop or can you keep it attatced?

I can't speak for other companies, but with Prime, once you are attached to a trailer, not allowed to disconnect except when having maintenance done, or dropping trailer in an approved drop yard. When having maintenance done at like a TA truckstop, trailer has to be within sight of the driver at all times if truck is not attached.

Okay thanks for the info.

If you know you are running low on hours and are going to sit awhile, it is best to find somewhere that is comfortable to park. Many Casino's have truck parking or truck stops nearby, most anywhere you see a truck stop you find an affordable hotel to relax and get away from things or you can make the mistake of parking at a small truck stop with a garden hose for a shower which also closes at dark. My day today-had to run 400 miles by 7am tomorrow so I now have 15 hours to kill with only 50 miles to the final. I could have gotten closer but I prefer a working toilet and haven't had a burger in a week!

Advance a load means....that trailer "advancing" closer to the delivery site. If you are out of hours, you can't advance the load until you wait and get some hours back.