Can DOT officers bother you at a truck stop?

Apparently both you and the LEO need some additional education. While not "sleeper-berth," being in the front of the truck is still "off-duty."

Also, "that could really hurt you if you haven't got 8 consecutive hours in the SB at that time" applies only if a driver is using the "Sleeper Berth Provision" (aka: split-sleeper). It does not apply to a 10-hour rest or a 34-hour reset. In those two circumstances the driver can bounce from "off-duty" to "sleeper berth" as often as they wish.

 

"Magic Line" Hahahahahahahaha

Was she snorting some magic dust just before this?

 

Yeah well if thats true then you sleep on the catwalk if its a Daycab right?

 

Let's just say that the traffic stop was for "less than exemplary LEO work" that resulted in no fines, only a "warning", as part of their Operation... my brother was in sleeper berth at the time and she was getting all hissy about him staying "behind the magic line" separating the cab or he would have to change his status!

I think not4hire nailed the correct interpretation (and I dig the "nap for that"). That particular LEO spent 45 minutes doing an inspection of the truck and trailer (exterior) and going through our paper logs before letting us go. Both my brother and I were shaking our heads at her interpretation of the rules and regulations. I think what I took away from that stop is that LEO's can be surefire about how they think the rules and regulations should be applied, and they can be wrong. This particular line of discussion on this thread is responding to the question of needing to change duty status if "your knee touches the front seat"... well, depending on the LEO they may require you to change status... but only to Off Duty rather than On Duty. If they actually enter the cab for an inspection that may change the equation. During our stop the LEO required me as the driver to log it as On Duty for the duration of the 45 minutes, my brother was allowed to stay logged as Sleeper Berth (since he didn't put even a little toe over that line... )...

 

Good job...

 

I have heard the stories of LEO waiting for a driver to park, watch him walk into the truckstop, and wait for him to return to his truck to check if he logged off duty rather thn sleeper berth.

I understand about being cooperative while standing your ground, but in that case LEO is actually violating federal law, correct?

We know how severe the situation is if WE violate federal law. Does anyone know how severe it is for LEO if THEY violate it?

There probably is no penalty for them, but somehow that seems very, very wrong.

 

About two months ago I was coming on I-95 entering Georgia from South Carolina and a LEO stop me at the weight station. He said to my partner that seated on passenger seat can NOT be considered as the 30 brake. He said you have to be in the back laying on the bed or else at a truck stop. Gave him a warning. So I asked him "Taking the brake on the passenger seat while my partner is driving is illegal?" He said it was not accepted and we could get a ticket... plain and simple!!!

 

Why would your partner be taking a 30 minute break in the passenger seat while you drive? The timing doesn't make any sense to me for a team operation. However, if your partner was on his off-duty break and qualified (up to 2 hours in passenger seat immediately before or after 8 consecutive hours in sleeper-berth) as posted above (Post 91), then the LEO was wrong.

 

I never log sleeper, I always take my 10 off duty, solves a bunch of problems. the regs don't require sleeper to be logged, off duty is fine

 

Depending on who's post you read, we may or may not be required to answer the door if a LEO wakes you up.

Lets say we answer the LEO, even staying behind the magic line so we don't have to go on duty. Are we required to open the door for him upon request even after we've told him we're on our sleep break? What are the consequences for not opening up the door?