Hours Of Service

This may get you to thinking ! but I need an answer or at least and educated guess. I am a full time Firefighter,I also drive truck on my days off from the FD, I work a 48 hour shift at the FD, 0800-0800.The question is , can I legally drive CDL my first day off from the FD. I may or may not have had any sleep time in that 48 hour shift at the FD. I drive locally and do not have to keep a log book, but i really don't need any trouble from the law, so any advise you can give would be great.

Absolutely not David. This is exactly why commercial drivers are not allowed to work on their breaks. For example, if I take a 34 hour restart I cannot work a second job during that period. All 34 hours must be free of work. Working will void that break because it wasn't a true rest break.

Obviously, they'll need to find out and you could keep it a secret, but legally, its not allowed.

When I first started driving I would go home for hometime and because I needed the money I would work while I was at home with my previous employer and then one day my buddy called me and told me that someone just called and asked if I was still working there. I had a pretty good feeling it was someone from my Trucking Company. They must have had a hunch I was still putting in hours when I was on hometime. My friends family owned the Mechanic Shop so I told them if anyone called just tell them I'm no longer employed. I don't recommend doing such a thing but I was hurting for $$$ at the time.

I'm not going to sit here and judge, you do what you gotta do to make ends meet. I've bent the rules more than a few times.

Just don't get caught, and try to get some rest before operating the truck to help ensure the safety of the folks around you.

Add up total on duty hours in the last 8 days from both jobs. If your at 70 hours or more you can not drive. If you have less than 70 you can drive after a 10 hour break till you hit your 70.

From what my class just covered a few days ago if you stay within 100 mile radius of your home terminal you are not required to keep track of your hours of service (100 hour rule), if you travel more then 100 mile radius then you are required to abide by the DOT regulations for hours of service. Im not sure if being a firefighter exempts you from the rules of service if you drive but I do know that firefighters are exempt from having a CDL so I would imagine that doesn't count. I would check the DOT websit/book for exact information.

Add up total on duty hours in the last 8 days from both jobs. If your at 70 hours or more you can not drive. If you have less than 70 you can drive after a 10 hour break till you hit your 70.

*I meant the 100 mile rule* and that firefighters are exempt when driving related to firefighting duties.