Sleeper Berth Hours

I used to go off-duty only. Our safety team said the same thing mentioned above - a savvy DOT officer could potentially say you were falsifying logs if you were in the sleeper but not showing it on your log. Heck, I log my 30-minute walks under the "other" category. LOL. Now, I hit sleeper birth whenever I go behind the curtain for the night. Avoid getting caught outside your truck or sitting in the front seat if you're in sleeper birth.

I used to go off-duty only. Our safety team said the same thing mentioned above - a savvy DOT officer could potentially say you were falsifying logs if you were in the sleeper but not showing it on your log. Heck, I log my 30-minute walks under the "other" category. LOL. Now, I hit sleeper birth whenever I go behind the curtain for the night. Avoid getting caught outside your truck or sitting in the front seat if you're in sleeper birth.

Not going to say that your point is wrong as it certainly has logical validity, but I would like to offer a counterpoint.

Since the only stated regulation regarding a 10-hour break is that it be 10 consecutive hours in an off duty status, I don't think failing to log "sleeper berth" when in the sleeper berth could be classified as a falsified log. Can DOT mandate that a driver sleep? Not really. DOT can mandate not driving while fatigued from lack of sleep, but DOT can't mandate how much sleep is needed because every person is different. Granted, being in the sleeper berth does not mean sleeping has to be taking place.

I agree that DOT seeing a lack of logged sleeper berth time could draw suspicion and lead to more scrutiny. I am skeptical that DOT would try to write a falsifying logs citation for not having a sleeper berth off duty status logged during a 10. One problem here is that a person may leave the truck and sleep somewhere else. While off duty, a driver is under 0 responsibility to show DOT where he/she has been or will be. My personal life is of no concern to that officer, unless there is probable cause that I have done something illegal while off duty and over which the officer has jurisdiction.

What is the best way to log checking in at a shipper/receiver? I've been doing Other then noting Check in. I figure there's a better way.

What is the best way to log checking in at a shipper/receiver? I've been doing Other then noting Check in. I figure there's a better way.

Correct me if wrong, but the actual checking in activity should be done while “On duty, not driving” Then when docked at a door for loading/unloading the driver can go off duty or sleeper berth.

Is that correct?

Just on a side note, I still am a little unsure of myself on the use of split sleeper. It is becoming more clear to me but I still like to get a second opinion before I use it. So I either call my FM or the night/weekend desk to double check on my usage and procedure. I seldom use SSB, only when it will solve a problem for me that I can’t solve another way.

I certainly don't disagree. I think it would be a stretch for a DOT officer to claim falsified logs for that reason. But, I still just switch to sleep birth when I go to bed for the night.

I used to go off-duty only. Our safety team said the same thing mentioned above - a savvy DOT officer could potentially say you were falsifying logs if you were in the sleeper but not showing it on your log. Heck, I log my 30-minute walks under the "other" category. LOL. Now, I hit sleeper birth whenever I go behind the curtain for the night. Avoid getting caught outside your truck or sitting in the front seat if you're in sleeper birth.

Not going to say that your point is wrong as it certainly has logical validity, but I would like to offer a counterpoint.

Since the only stated regulation regarding a 10-hour break is that it be 10 consecutive hours in an off duty status, I don't think failing to log "sleeper berth" when in the sleeper berth could be classified as a falsified log. Can DOT mandate that a driver sleep? Not really. DOT can mandate not driving while fatigued from lack of sleep, but DOT can't mandate how much sleep is needed because every person is different. Granted, being in the sleeper berth does not mean sleeping has to be taking place.

I agree that DOT seeing a lack of logged sleeper berth time could draw suspicion and lead to more scrutiny. I am skeptical that DOT would try to write a falsifying logs citation for not having a sleeper berth off duty status logged during a 10. One problem here is that a person may leave the truck and sleep somewhere else. While off duty, a driver is under 0 responsibility to show DOT where he/she has been or will be. My personal life is of no concern to that officer, unless there is probable cause that I have done something illegal while off duty and over which the officer has jurisdiction.

Correct me if wrong, but the actual checking in activity should be done while “On duty, not driving” Then when docked at a door for loading/unloading the driver can go off duty or sleeper berth.

Is that correct?

I thought for loading/unloading per FMCSA you're supposed to be On Duty unless you're free to leave while they're working your trailer but that most drivers log Off Duty or Sleeper to preserve their clock and most inspectors won't make an issue of it. I thought I've read that on here before but not certain.

Only if you are directly involved, such as being up on the dock touching or counting the freight. Once backed into the dock, it's customary to go off duty. It all depends on your specific company's policy.

Only if you are directly involved, such as being up on the dock touching or counting the freight. Once backed into the dock, it's customary to go off duty. It all depends on your specific company's policy.

Understood, thanks for clarifying.

I usually log On Duty when I get to the gate or the shipping/receiving office. I do between 7 and 15 minutes.