Need dot consultant? Dot advice

Well I have a question ... If you team drive and you have a 6 hr layover for your next load can we both be in sleeper or does one if us have to log on duty????????

 

You can both show sleeper berth. There is not stipulation that states that you both cannot be on sleeper line at the same time. No different than being in a motel while on layover except that you are in the sleeper.

 

Just make sure you write in the remarks whether you're the spooner, or spoonee.

 

I agree with you on this, not4hire, mainly because I've spoken with the feds about this issue and if discovered during an audit or inspection they'd apply the common sense approach that unless the team are either married or involved in some way, it is unlikely both are in the bunk at the same time. The only exception is if it is a double sleeper. Also the best defense is to have the company issue a memo allowing you to be relieved of all job related duties during these times.

 

How is being relieved of all job duties relevant ? That wouldn't do much good on a 6 hour break . If one team member was in the sleeper immediately before or after that break the 6 could complete 8 or 10 hours sleeper .

 

It's relevant because the criteria for using the sleeper berth states the driver must not have any job related duties otherwise it would be line 4 time. Auditor training involves watching out for this type of violation.

 

I know that but has anybody ever heard of needing a company memo to make sleeper time valid ? I'd like to see validation of a violation written involving sleeper berth logged without a memo relieving a driver from duty .

 

I think you are getting hostile.

 

Not at all . If you you say something is needed I am just asking for confirmation . Can you show documented examples of violations given because a driver didn't have a company memo while they logged sleeper berth ? I'm asking other drivers if they have ever dealt with these circumstances .
If you want credibility here you need to be able to back up statements you make .

 

I don't recall ever hearing that one or seeing it anywhere in the rules. If you're in the sleeper, you're in the sleeper. If you come out of the sleeper, then that can mess it up but the rules requiring a piece of paper saying that you're allowed to sleep (how would you even word that) would be the government going full re-tard.