Dot regulations for tow trucks

You can sleep in it all you want... you cannot log it as sleeper berth if it does not have a conforming sleeper. Of course it can't be logged as off-duty either. Ironically though, you can log off-duty if you are outside your truck standing on your head, juggling flaming puppies or swallowing swords... or sleeping on the ground next to your truck.

You might not want to mention that last bit to your boss.

 

I drive a Flatbed Tow Truck in Colorado and you are subject to ALL dot requirements regarding hours that you work. This means that you either are 'On duty' driving or, 'On duty'/ Not driving (such as waiting at an accident scene to load) or 'Off duty'!

This issue that you run into with Tow Truck companies is that if they run a Non-CDL Truck they think they're not subject to DOT rules. They ARE as it is STILL a COMMERCIAL Vehicle! I run both CDL and Non-CDL trucks and neither one has a sleeper so as my work is within 100 miles of my office then usually no log book is required, but still limited to 12 hours! Sorry for long message!

 

Find another job.
I tried to get my hours cut back and my boss told me it wouldn't be fair to the other drivers!! {snerk} I don't drive for him anymore.
My previous tow employer ran me 5/12's and then demanded I make a 6+ hour round trip outside my 100 mile radius on top of that. I don't drive for her anymore.

 

6 whole hours? More than 100 miles? Gasp!

 

I remember one lovely weekend where I was on call and the pager would go off every time I walked through my front door. This went on for 36 hours or so. I kinda lost track. I finally couldn't wake up anymore and the boss took over so I could sleep.

 

Bout all you can do is take your experience and move on to a better company.

 

Well, if there's a class action going, get in on it. You can start saving up a down payment and buy a used tow truck while your at it. Then you can set your own rules.

I worked for a guy that offered to sell me his older truck, a 95 F350. It was about 6 years old at the time and in pretty good shape. He wanted $17k for it and was willing to finance it and split the company with me. I probably should have taken the deal but I wasn't planning on making towing a career. Might go back to it someday if they keep making it more and more unpleasant to drive a big truck.