I'm new, but not THAT new. Need advice for Electronic Logs / DOT checkpoints

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by 3Y CSM, Nov 18, 2021.

  1. Grumppy

    Grumppy Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I was almost 60 when I started on ELD and had your same fears. But, as someone noted above, after about a week, it was no problem. Most of these things are created to be somewhat simple. I mean, there was a thread on here yesterday where a driver drove onto a wooden pedestrian bridge & broke it down. Yep, thought it was a road & bridge that would hold up a big truck. Even people that stupid can learn this ELD stuff.

    I too agree that even with your heavy haul, I'd suggest that you start at the bottom, learn the HOS & ELD, then in a year or two, change back to heavy haul where the real drivers are (I wont do heavy haul ;))

    Dont worry about looking like an idiot with 20+ years experience & not knowing. You have a good honorable reason for not knowing. I ran local stuff for probably 20 years before going regional. I never stayed in truck stops either until I went regional. Lots I didnt know but now after another nearly 15 years, I'm fine.

    Good luck driver.........
     
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  3. 3Y CSM

    3Y CSM Bobtail Member

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    Great question. I did get stopped a couple of times, once by a State Trooper who was desperate to issue me a citation for driving past the portable scale. I explained and referenced the CFR, but he still wanted to inspect my log, my cab, and went so far as to pull out a creeper before I asked to speak with his supervisor. He went back and talked on his radio / ran my license, and made me wait on the roadside for nearly a half hour before someone filled him in on what he was doing wrong. On the funny side, the Clear Creek Sheriff pulled up behind me one time for brandishing a weapon.. I reminded him that Colorado is an open carry state. LOL
     

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  4. 3Y CSM

    3Y CSM Bobtail Member

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    No one dared pull me over for this one. M 60A3 .jpg
     
  5. 3Y CSM

    3Y CSM Bobtail Member

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    I loved heavy haul.. always different, always a challenge, but you are right about starting at the bottom. Thanks!
     
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  6. 3Y CSM

    3Y CSM Bobtail Member

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    That's the best breakdown I've seen yet. Thanks
     
  7. Accidental Trucker

    Accidental Trucker Road Train Member

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    I stand corrected. Thank you.
     
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  8. Numb

    Numb Crusty Curmudgeon

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    get a copy of the "green book" of CMV regulations.
     
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  9. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    With ELDs you only have to remember to click on your duty status. It will do everything else. In fact, the ELD will automatically change your status to Driving and automatically change from Driving to On-Duty innmost circumstances. They also show you what hours you've usrd or have remaining.

    Here is a link to a training video for one brand of ELD
     
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  10. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    I worked under the 100 air-mile rule, sometimes called Short-Haul, for almost 20 years. It's so simple.

    1. Never work (Drive + On-Duty) more than 12 hours or you must do a log page.

    2. Never be Off-Duty between work shifts less than 10 hours.

    3. Your company decides if you work under the 100 Air-Mile rule.

    4 You must start & end work at the same location. They must record your start/stop time and save that record for 6 months. A time clock is one way to accomplish tjis.

    5. To measure the 100 Air-Mile distance only the straight line distance from starting point to destination counts. The Feds definition of air-mile (a nautical mile) makes the distance measured in statute miles (your odometer measures by statute miles) so it's actually a 115 Air-mile rule. 100 nautical miles = 115 statute miles.

    6. Crossing state borders or working beyond midnight, or type of freight (HazMat vs general freight) does not matter for 100 air-mile rule purposes.

    7. The rule allows an occassional "long day" but I don't remember that exception.
     
    Last edited: Nov 19, 2021
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  11. 3Y CSM

    3Y CSM Bobtail Member

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    That's what I was looking for amongst other things. Thank you!
     
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