I have a question for experienced drivers as a new driver. I've been told many times not to cheat, if I cheat I will get huge fines, if I hurt or kill someone or even if someone crashes into me and dies, I will go to prison. This was beaten in at school, and at orientation. Then I get out with my trainer and he wants me to cheat. I tell the manager, they say that is wrong, the company is against it, but the other new employees I made friends with say their trainers are making them do it too. I refused to cheat, because I'm scared of huge tickets and prison, especially so my trainer can make an extra dime.

So my question is: do pretty much all driver's cheat? Do most companies expect you to cheat, even their official policy is against it? How much risk does a driver take when making subtle cheats, cheating an hour or less? Seems to me that if you crash and kill someone 15 minutes over, it's the same as 5 hours over, but I'm new. This issue confuses me, and at this point I really don't feel comfortable going over hours. Logging non-driving duties as sleeper berth instead of line four I'm not as concerned about. Seems to me if I'm going to risk going to prison over my job I might as well be a drug smuggler. Is it just accepted by drivers that they've got to take that risk to make their money and do you feel like you can't say no? I know there's some really unsafe bad companies out there, but I'm talking about the major motor carriers, other than Roehl of course. Seems like I almost need a lawyer for this job....

no not all drivers cheat!!!

that said alot do "shift" time as proper time managment dictates how much we eventualy earn

i.e you stop for 30 minettes for lunch, forget to log it but know you did it...you stop at the end of your known 11 and slide time to reflect that you didnt stop for lunch, but in fact got to where you are .5 hours earlier than reality...enabling you to leave .5 earlier AFTER your 10

no i dont do it

as logsrus says

LOG LEGAL ALL THE TIME

its a CYA (cover yer hiney) thing

.25 over and it is jail/large fine time, along with possible lawsuits against you

You will feel better not cheating, not all jobs require it, and if you are in an accident as you suggested if caught dirty on logs, it's your fault. Do what you think is best. drive55cat

You are saying everything I would say as a log manager! Although one thing you said that concerned me is not logging line 4 when you should. Do you (and all other drivers understand this) that not logging the correct duty status (line 4 usually) means you are saving on your 70 hour rule so when being investigated the officers/attorneys say well he should of logged line 4 here so if he had done that it means you "might" be over your 70 hour rule.

Other than that you should log what you are "actually" doing and to the minute if at all possible. Yes if you shorten your 10 hour break (just an example here) and you get in an accident you could be held responsible for that accident. It usually happens when death or injury occurs (DOT reportable accident).

With this said if you log lines 1,2,3 & 4 like you are supposed to you have no worries and if something happens you should feel like you did what you could to prevent an accident according to the "law".

So please take the advice you heard (minus make sure if you are working but not driving you log line 4 time).

It sounds like "I said it"?

__________________
"Sometimes I wonder if men and women really suit each other. Perhaps they should live next door and just visit now and then."

I am glad to know someone is listening

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"Sometimes I wonder if men and women really suit each other. Perhaps they should live next door and just visit now and then."

I wrote a post that I did when an hour or 2 away from home..And have done it hundreds of time in my career.. But as was previously posted...You can be going down the road and a drunk hit you and they will hold you liable as well..Because you should have never been there if your over...Theres alot of risk.. Its a your choice deal..And the company will be more than happy to tell the DOT, weve warned him numerous times, but he wouldnt listen.. I did it only to go home..Leaveing home was always slower than headed back in...I took that chance only..But there is alot to think about..

wheres it jail.. for .25 over...??? Even in Al. the DOT alows windows of 7.5 min. rounded off to the next to be a full .25 ..And are you useing paper or computer logs??

He did not say he did not cheat. He said he was covering his CYA

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My childhood dream of becoming a truck driver turned into a nightmare!

there is just way too many ways to get caught these days. TImes on fuel slips, toll reciepts, pre pass log you passing scales, cell hone records if you have a company phone.. Sometimes you gota do what ya gota do but it will be your butt getting tossed in jail if someone dies not your dispatcher, trainer or anyone else. Everyone is on a witch hunt for truckers heads when there is an accident these days.
And remember. the ecm in your truck logs every second, your speed, when you are driving and when the truck is idling. In the event of a faality accident the dot will remove that ecm to have it examined and you better hope it doesn't tell them you've been driving for 4 hours when your book says yo just woke up.

I got that part, I was wondering where theyd put you in jail for a .25 log violation?? If involved in an accident would be the only way Id think theyd do it..No !!!