Is this app DOT acceptable?

Approving your logs on an Automatic On Board Recorder (AOBR) is the same as signing a paper log.

If you are using an app on your phone or computer (non-AOBR) to keep track of your hours, but keeping a paper log you are fine. Just make sure to keep your paper log current to your last change of duty status and NEVER show your phone or computer to an enforcement officer. Lots of drivers do it that way. Or, you can use just the app but be prepared to print out today's and any or all of the last seven day's logs if requested.

 

I use iDDL and have a wireless printer so do other folks that work for the same company I do.

I've been inspected several times, only one DOT officer has ever asked me to produce logs. Produced the current day and the last seven. Was happy with it. The other inspections I was in.. the officers were so amazed by iDDL! Lol. One officer actually took it and took me to his car and he just wanted me to show him around the program. with questions like (how do you update your status,ect ect)... after that.. he said here ya go buddy with a clean inspection and let me go.

It really depends on the officer..... the one's ive encountered just look at it really quick and move on..

EDIT: and yeah, it's not a true AOBR so i keep my wireless printer in my truck at all times just incase these situations happen. However... one of my friends was not given the opportunity to produce logs and was put our of service for 10 hours in Indiana. He had a printer in the truck and the officer refused to budge and insisted that the logs should be printed out everyday when you sign the log. I dunno.

 

At present I don't believe any phone app log is DOT acceptable

 

Yes they are; from Post #13 in this thread...

Hours of Service for Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers Regulatory Guidance for 49 CFR 395.8, Driver’s Record of Duty Status

Question 28: May a driver use a computer, tablet, or smartphone (that is not an Automatic On-Board Recording Device) to create, electronically sign, and store the record of duty status (RODS)?

Guidance: Yes. A driver may make manual duty-status entries to a computer, tablet, or smart phone program that is used to generate the graph grid and entries for the record of duty status (RODS) or log book, provided the electronically-generated display (if any) and output includes the minimum information required by§ 395.8 and is formatted in accordance with that section. The driver must sign the RODS (manually or electronically) at the end of each 24-hour period to certify that all required entries are true and correct.

(A) If electronic signatures are not used:
• The driver must print and manually sign the RODS daily.
• The driver must have in his or her possession the printed and signed RODS for the prior seven consecutive days (if required on those days).
• The driver should be given an opportunity to print and manually sign the current day’s RODS at the time of the inspection.

(B) If RODS have been electronically signed:
• At the time of an inspection of records by an enforcement official, the driver may display the current and prior seven days RODS to the official on the device’s screen.
• If the enforcement official requests printed copies of the RODS, the driver must be given an opportunity to print the current and prior seven days RODS (if required on those days) at the time of inspection.

Issued on: June 17, 2014.

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-07-10/pdf/2014-15951.pdf

 

Your friend should challenge the OOS. As noted above:

(A) If electronic signatures are not used:
• The driver should be given an opportunity to print and manually sign the current day’s RODS at the time of the inspection.

(B) If RODS have been electronically signed:
• If the enforcement official requests printed copies of the RODS, the driver must be given an opportunity to print the current and prior seven days RODS (if required on those days) at the time of inspection.



Be aware, the current guidance for 395.8 on the FMCSA has not been updated. The information I have posted is directly from the Federal Register, which supercedes the information on the website:
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014...2014-15951.pdf

 

Oh, they are acceptable!

You just have to be able to print them out too.

 

+2

Many, maybe even most states are not requesting printed logs. However, the agency I am employed by requires that we ask for them. So here, you WILL be placed OOS if you cannot print you logs out. Many times I've had drivers state that they were inspected in such and such state and they had no problems. And I'm sure that's true. So if they don't ask for it, you don't need it. If they do ask for it, you DO need it. In this state, you WILL be asked for it every time you are stopped.

 

the confusion over logbook apps ranks right up there with "straps cant be outside the rubrail" that rule was rescinded in 2006 and folks still say they HAVE to be inside the rail.

 

don't confuse these apps with a QC, its a different animal. with these apps you still have to have the ability to print when requested

 

Your straps cannot be outside the rub rail....... j/k