Hotshot HOS Question(s)

I recently earned my Class A CDL and landed my first team hotshot gig. My LLC is contracted with a small carrier running the mid west and east coast. I've been at it for a week and have concerns.

So far I've been asked to keep driving while logging 30 min breaks, and put myself off duty while in the passenger seat (where I should be sleeping - but am unable to due to music, the road, and a plethora of other noises) which also looks to be illegal except for when immediately coming out of a sleeper birth - which we don't have, and then drive my 11 hours. I was also asked to drive for 5 hours when I had no legal driving hours left and just log it as on duty - no vehicle, which I refused to do and did a reset in a parking lot instead.

Not only is this predicament obviously illegal - it's also exhausting and dangerous.

My question is - what gives? CDL School teaches to follow HOS rules with regulations and laws clearly spelled out. It's obvious this company has been doing this sort of thing for years. Is this a common mindset of hotshot trucking companies? Are the HOS and sleeper birth rules more geared towards semis with hotshots just being 'roped' and it doesn't really matter? I looked at penalties of WILLFULLY violating HOS rules - with civil penalties and even mention of jail time being possible consequences. All of this scares the crap out of me - but doesn't appear to bother this small company at all - am i overreacting?

I'll wait a couple days to hear some replies - but I think i'll send an email prior to going back on shift in a few days letting them know I'd love to keep my job but I intend to follow the rules - with both drivers on duty while the vehicle is in motion (and no other illegal nonsense), at which point i'm sure they'll likely fire me. This really sucks because i need a job - I wanted to get experience in hotshot trucking, but i have no desire to go to jail.

What would you do?

What would you do?

I'd find another job, it is not worth risking going to jail over nor the stress if them having you do that.

with hotshots just being 'roped' and it doesn't really matter

Hotshots always seem to get pulled into the scales and inspected, so I'd say it matters.

I would quit. What made you want to do hot shot instead of driving a semi? Legally, you're allowed to spend the first 3 hours of your 10 hour break in the passenger seat. Anything more than that must be logged on duty not driving. If you do not have a sleeper birth you can not log any time as sleeper.

I would run away from that company as fast as possible. Many DOT officers are aware of hot shots skirting alot of various rules and several have told me they will inspect a hot shot before a full semi because they are more likely a bigger problem.

I’m not sure without a sleeper how you can make a team thing work to a benifit. As said in the jump seat only 3 hours can legally be logged, in your case off duty. No way either of you can get a reset on your clock.

You say your LLC is contracted to the carrier. Is this leased onto them running under their DOT authority, or are you running under your own authority?? It makes a huge difference.

My best advice is either come to terms with the carrier or get out before things go wrong and you have issues that will prevent you from working for a reputable carrier.

Thanks for the replies.

To answer a couple of questions - It's my LLC contracted with their company - where I ride under their DOT and MC authority.

I don't know if I correctly conveyed the entire situation - one driver drives his 11 while the other guy is sleeping in the passenger seat - then you swap out - so the truck is running non-stop.

Why hotshot? I've really only ever been interested in hotshot - driven a semi, it just wasn't my thing.

Thanks again for the replies!

I've really only ever been interested in hotshot - driven a semi, it just wasn't my thing.

It sounds like this isn't really your thing either.

All of this scares the crap out of me

Yeah, there is no allowance in the rules for team driving a hot shot with no sleeper. It's completely illegal. If both of you are on duty what advantage is there for having two drivers? This is really screwed up!

I would agree that this particular company and situation isn't my thing for obvious reasons - but I love the hotshot game!

I do believe I've decided - it's time to get my own DOT/MC credentials and truck/trailer - no more nonsense.

Thanks!

How is your LLC contracted, but you have a truck/trailer?

Just curious here, if the pickup was a crew cab, could the back seat be used as a sleeper birth?