We have to print elogs daily?? What the..?

There is no requirement to print e-logs daily.

We had a driver get chewed out because his operating instructions for the HOS on his EOBR weren't laminated. Again, no such requirement. I think some of these guys just make stuff up to unsettle the driver and find something else.

 

Nothing new. They have always required the computer logs to be printed daily and signed. You are not using Eobr.

see fmcsa 395.8 question 28 shown below.


Question 28: May a driver use a computer to generate his or her record of duty status (log book) and then manually sign the computer printouts in lieu of handwritten logs?
Guidance:
A driver may use a computer to generate the graph grid and entries for the record of duty status or log books, provided the computer-generated output includes the minimum information required by §395.8 and is formatted in accordance with the rules. In addition, the driver must:
[TABLE="class: nrlist"]
[TR]
[TD="class: nr"]1.[/TD]
[TD="class: nr"]Be capable of printing the record of duty status for the current 24-hour period at the request of an enforcement officer.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: nr"]2.[/TD]
[TD="class: nr"]Print the record of duty status at the end of each 24-hour period, and sign it in his or her handwriting to certify that all entries required by this section are true and correct.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: nr"]3.[/TD]
[TD="class: nr"]Maintain a copy of printed and signed records of duty status for the previous 7 consecutive days and make it available for inspection at the request of an enforcement officer.[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

There are elogs and EOBR. See 395.8 question 28

 

You're right. I had a brain fart. Dang multi-tasking.

 

Thats some strange masochism right there. elogs without the "e".

 

This is the correct answer.

Basically with an "EOBR" the device is connected to the truck computer and usually a GPS module. In that manner, if the truck moves more than "X" distance, it puts the driver in line 3 automatically. And it puts them in line 4 when they have stopped for "X" time.

In general, it is very hard (and usually impossible) for the operator to change those lines without admin intervention. There is a whole document on the various capabilities and requirements to be an "official" EOBR (that Roadmedic referenced) and a portion of them involve the device doing the logs with minimal driver editing. (and yes before anyone says it - ANYTHING can be hacked by a motivated individual.)

With an "E-Log" there is a device or program (software) on your computer, on your phone, on your GPS, etc that can be automatic, semi-automatic, or completely manual (you fill out the logs.) It will do things like issue violation warnings, total your recaps, generate a DVIR, etc. It keeps you from making "tired" mistakes or from not understanding things like sleeper splits and how those effect the rest of the day, some will enter the location for you, etc. But you can go and manipulate that data just like you can rewrite a paper sheet. The driver has control.

With all that said, and coming from the background of producing and "tech supporting" basically thousands of E-Logs for drivers at this point, I find the following things to be the case as of this writing:

A. An inspector is human. If he or she is either angry or just plain dumb, then all bets are off and you can get dozens of things thrown at you.

B. It is provided in the EOBR rules that you do not have to produce a paper copy. It has to be in correct functioning order and meet the approved EOBR device provisions.

C. If you are using a non-EOBR program like Big Road, DDL, Eclipse, etc we are finding many, MANY times these days, they look at the screen and if they are familiar with the program, they still don't make you show paper. BUT THEY CAN. It also needs to be SIGNED, which is hard to pull off without a printer. The rules still provide for them to demand a paper copy if they want. They tend to "trust" it more as "real" if it is on a laptop or a tablet screen than on a very small phone screen though. That may change as they get more familiar with the phone apps.

SO, with that said, a driver that does not want to give them the POSSIBILITY to ticket or hassle them because of using an E-Log should get a small printer, or copy the screen onto a paper sheet and sign it, for the current 7/8 days. I literally saw them for $29 at Staples today. If you need wireless then it is a little more, but they are still found at $100 bucks with cell phone wifi printing ability. And there are cell phone apps that can print to wireless printers.

Hope that helps expound on what Roadmedic was saying too.

 

I thought e-logs were introduced as a way of limiting the trees being cut down, guess I was wrong.

 

People seem to get the two confused. EOBR is the one that does not get printed, but must be able to be provided to the DOT upon request by fax or email.

 

great answer