What is the exact rule for 30 min breaks?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Hurst, Nov 21, 2013.

  1. 379exhd

    379exhd Road Train Member

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    I learned my lesson with that 30 minute break. Usually I back my book up 30 minutes at a town and call it good. Did that in ainesworth one night so I though. Problem was I logged that 30 minute break FORWARD not BACKWARDS didn't feel like ripping up that log so I took off...10 minutes later blew by a county sheriff running about 4 over I drove 50 in a 65 for 6 miles until he passed me then took off lol. That was the closest I've ever come to really getting caught in a tight spot...especially when that week my log showed me being at the house off duty and 650 miles away on the next page at midnight...ooops. I was tired give Me a break Mr.dot....no were throwing the book at you! You're under arrest no parole and sent ended to life without parole. Wait free meals showers no work for the rest of my life? You wanna drive or u want me to? Hahaha
     
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  3. rocknroll81

    rocknroll81 Road Train Member

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    Your employer would have to give you a slip of paper stating that you have permission to go off duty and be relieved of all duties, no problem, I and and probably thousands of other drivers do that......
     
  4. reddove

    reddove Medium Load Member

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    one time I was at a customer for so long waiting to be unloaded that I walked to the Starbucks down the road, used their free wifi for five hours until they called me to let me know I was done. I put off duty break at Starbucks one mile from customer.
     
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  5. GITRDUN45

    GITRDUN45 Heavy Load Member

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    Easy answer..........I'd bet you have a smartphone correct? Well there are several FREE apps you can load on it and use as a logbook to keep you within the law. When you are about to break it, it will turn red and warn you. Their programmed by guidelines of the law. Just use it for urself as a tool.
     
  6. 379exhd

    379exhd Road Train Member

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    I just downloaded big road last night its kinda neat. Maps and all don't know if suggest routes or not but it is kinda a neat application to use to keep track of HOS Rules.
     
  7. CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

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    In other words get 3 hours of drive time in before that 30 minute break and you won't have problems if you have a 11 hour drive time day.
     
  8. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    Thats all it is anymore. Just more and more ways to nickel and dime you until you are finally bleed dry.

    Ultimately I cant blame anyone except my self for not completely understanding the 8hr rule. Ignorance is no excuse and it will NOT happen again. Ridiculous that we have to jump through so many hoops just to get a load delivered on time.

    Hurst
     
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  9. Sublime

    Sublime Road Train Member

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    No slips of paper are required in order to go off-duty.

    http://fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulati...ext.aspx?reg=395.2&guidence=y&keyword=medical
     
    Last edited: Nov 22, 2013
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  10. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    My average hauls are 650 - 1200 mi during the week. Then on Friday I get a long haul for the weekend, anything from 1500 - 2500+mi. I have it set up, so as soon as I go M/T she has another load waiting for me. I almost never sit.

    I am OCD when when it comes to keeping my logs up to date. I am so paranoid about DOT catching me with my pants down because lets be honest,.. there is a reason I chose to run with a company that allows me to use paper logs. I run hard and long most of the time. I am afforded the luxury of taking a breather when I feel I need to rest up. Company is very easy going and lets us do our own thing as we see fit. Has worked out well for the most part.

    I misunderstood the 30 min break rule. I had it in my head that as long as I showed a 30 min break during my 11 hr drive time, I would be ok. I hate being wrong, and beat myself up mentally for making dumb mistakes like this. Its good to have a site like TTR to set the record straight in a way we can all easily understand with out having to read between the lines of legal jargon that can be confusing if misinterpreted.

    As I stated,.. I cant blame DOT for doing their job. But I dont have to be happy that every 5 yrs they have new ways to write us up for something. And to me, this whole 30 min break is a waste of time and serves no purpose.

    Hurst
     
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  11. rocknroll81

    rocknroll81 Road Train Member

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    You are not understanding what I am talking about, reread reddov's post, it's about going off duty while at a dock loading or unloading, again, you need a slip from your company which I kept in my permit book that allows drivers " Me " to go off duty " IF " I, me ,driver, are relieved from all duties regarding getting loaded or unloaded at a dock, yes, like you are trying to tell me that you do not need a slip to allow you just to go off duty, that's correct, and pretty dumb, you need to read a post a little better to follow it more correctly, just say'n......
     
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