CDN Driver driving bus in US - To log or not to Log?

My church needed a driver for a bus trip from Ontario Canada to Smithsville Rhode Island. Guess who got asked? I've confirmed with the appropriate people that I'm qualified and legal to drive, I'm preplanned and know where I'm going, and I'll be getting hands-on practice on the bus I'm driving before I leave. What I haven't found out - precisely and accurately - is whether I need to log (I think so), and if there is any difference other than the US vs CDN HOS rules (11 vs. 13 driving, etc.) for driving a bus as opposed to driving a tractor trailer (which is my occupation). I've driven by a few open scales while working lately, but I don't want to bring down the MTO on my head for voluntarily stopping to ask a question. Any ideas, folks?

 

Perhaps a bit more detail - Bus is owned by a church in NY state, across the border from me in Cornwall Ontario Canada. Which you would think would make it a bit more convoluted, however according to the MTO (CDN equivalent of DOT), I am covered under my CDL because of a reciprocity agreement when it comes to CDL in Canada and US. In addition, I don't require my medical certificate because in Canada you are obliged to get your medical to get your CDL. (I'm bringing a copy anyway, just in case I get someone who isn't aware of that agreement.)

@Roadmedic - thanks for the info. I'm going to review it further, but on one piece of information from FMCSA.dot.gov I've found that 'Non-business Private Motor Carriers of Passengers are not subject to the record keeping requirements of this part, such as maintaining a logbook or record of duty status.'

The problem being is that in the information that you have given me says in the first line that Churches 'may be subject to the federal safety regulations for motor coaches and buses'. There's the problem. In my investigations and inquiries, just like in the business, there are a lot of 'maybe's' and 'perhaps's' - grey areas. Have a hard time with that when it's so important an issue.

 

It also says that the driver must have a CDL issued by the state. Mine is issued in Canada but I can drive a commercial vehicle is the US.

I think maybe a call to US DOT might be in order. Should have thought of that before.

 

The definition of a nonbusiness private motor carrier of passengers in relation to paragraph 6 and FMCSA rules would preclude me from having to log - I would just prefer to do it. That being said - as a Canadian driver, don't I fall under Canadian HOS rules even while in the US? I've checked the timing - the trip is approx. 7 hours and under CDN rules I can drive for 13. Even if I have to work within US rules, that would mean 11 hours, so timing would be ok.

Also - there is a 34 hour reset rule in the US, right? I'll be reset (off duty) for more than that before we leave.

 

Sorry - you are right. Missed that one.