log book reg. for P U & trailer

This brings up a question I haven't really gotten a good answer on, maybe one of you veterans could help. I get that the back of a pick-up cab does not count as a sleeper, that it must be an actual sleeper cab. But what if you slept in the truck bed, under a topper, with an air mattress,sheets etc.? Any ideas how DOT would handle this? I'm not planning on trying it, just currious.

 

Definately a good question.
When you read the rules there is a comment that the sleeper berth must be accessible from the driver compartment. I cannot even begin to guess what would happen with this.

 

From what I can gather from 393.76,(c)(2), there would be no "direct and ready means of exit from a sleeper birth into the driver's seat or compartment". So I would not think that you would be able to argue, with any success, that you could log "sleeper berth", but maybe "off duty"?

 

OK.... so where are we on this subject. Going back to the beginning. In IL (and many other states for that matter) a 3/4 ton pickup falls "somewhat" under the same classification as a semi. Anything over 8,000 lb GVWR follows all the same rules as a semi except for for driver's license. They have a "non commercial CDL" with several classes (A, B, C, etc) you have to have a logbook if more than 150 miles from home, triangles, fire extinguisher, etc, OH! and the best one, 55 MPH rule! Problem is, almost nobody knows about this (including much of the DMV and law inforcement people) Anyway, back to the subject. Are you driving your pickup and/or pulling a trailer for business?

Bottom line. And they have issued tickets for it in IL. If you are "conducting business" not neccessarily for hire, you are considered a Commercial Vehical. I've had extensive conversations with state and federal people on this. They all agree it's a wording problem that is on the books. Because it is not what was orriginally intended. But it is "by deffinition" the law nation wide. Some officers are using this. They have become "revenue generators" as opposed to law inforcement.

We recently had an employee of a local equipment dealership delivering a part from one store to another in a company car (Non even a pickup) and was ticketed for not having a CDL (along with a long list of others, log book among them)

My suggestion to you, my friend, would be to get your CDL. It's not that hard. Oh, by the way, does your pickup have an ICC #? Whole other can of worms.......

One more tidbit to chew on.... All these statistics you see about safety and accidents. Stating an X number of deaths related to trucking. Are you ready for this? Anything over 10,000 lb GVWR (a one ton pickup) is used in compling those stats. So how real are the numbers? You tell me, because the folks in Washington couldn't.

Good luck,

Boomer

 

While I agree it's Bul#$%#! The fact is that this is not a single occurance. And these laws are on the books. Which are you saying are not? I found out by accident and started digging. In order to "get out" of the tickets, there were several. You have to contact Springfield and go from there. In our case (my brother from NE) that's how we got "educated" cost $75 Problem with a lot of these deals is they go after people from out of state, you going to travel back to show up in court.

Similar deal happened to me last summer in NE, problem was I showed up for court, the officer did nt. After all the cases had been called I was still sitting there. The Judge asked me, I told him, approached the bench, and handed him the ticket. He read it, called out to a nearly empty room for the officer... No response, and he immediately dismissed the charges. But how many people can afford the time and expense to that?

Revenue Generators!

Boom

 

I am staying out, because I don't know the answer. I have never "heard" of carrying a log book while in a 4 wheeler and I have heard many things

Again I can't say it is or isn't true.

Just had to add my 2 cents

 

Forget about logs or that... the point is this. The actual definition in the Federal Motor Carriers Manual. In the definition there is nothing about GVWR, it is about what you are doing with that vehical. You do not have to be transporting anything. If you are using it for commerce..... commerce in their definition is "conducting business". Even the the top federal dogs admit it's a problem.


Boomer

 

Ok, Boomerrang, I had (have) an ICC number because in MN when I bought the truck it was a one ton and therefore I had to license it as a comercial vehicle. My understanding is it has to do more with license tab fees etc than anything. After getting a call from the dealership asking for my DOT number, the process was begun. In trying to be legal and compliant I got my ICC number. I guess that is were my interest in this sort of thing started. My more specific question was from my current studying etc. for my cdl. As I stated earlier, I am not planning on doing this just curious. But I do appreciate the input and info.. As a new driver, just about to leave with my trainer, I am after as much info as possibe. As complete an understanding as possible if you will. Anything not to look like a Werner or Swift driver!LOL